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Itse · 06-08-2019, 09:36 AM

Rethink the whole refereeing lineup.

Remove the difference between refs and linesmen.

Two refs on the ice, communicating with the players, dropping pucks, blowing the whistle, announcing calls and if necessary getting between players.

Four refs sit right outside the ice on elevated seats. Give these guys headsets so they can discuss what they see and who is watching what at any given moment, give them a monitor with a good UI and access to all camera angles, and develop a clear system of communication about who should be watching what in which situation. When the game is at the other end of the ice, some refs can look at instant replays on their monitors, watch the blueline or just watch the game from what ever camera angle they want. Keep them as teams to increase efficiency and minimize errors like FIFA does.

I'm pretty sure hockey refs spend more time trying to avoid getting in the way of players or the puck than any other ref (and still get in the way more than in any other sport). It has to be a distraction, no matter how much of a professional you are. They also get in the way of the play more often than any other refs.

Movement becomes a lot harder to read when both you and the object you're watching are moving. It's why people are carefully trying to observe something, they try to be perfectly still. It would also likely be a lot easier to stay laser focused on just watching for infractions when you're just sitting still and possibly fiddling with the monitors.

Basically, I think you can see a lot of things a lot better standing outside the rink than inside, so it would make sense to have both. The refs inside the rink can focus on getting a good view of what's going on near the boards, while what ever goes on behind them is watched by refs sitting outside the ice.

This would very likely stop some of the dirty play just in itself, because it would be impossible for the players to know if a ref is watching them right at that moment.

You could also widen the pool of potential referees massively, because they wouldn't have to be good skaters and in good physical shape anymore. You could even have women behind the monitors without worrying about authority issues.

06-08-2019, 09:36 AM	#69
Itse Franchise Player Join Date: May 2004 Location: Helsinki, Finland Exp:	Rethink the whole refereeing lineup. Remove the difference between refs and linesmen. Two refs on the ice, communicating with the players, dropping pucks, blowing the whistle, announcing calls and if necessary getting between players. Four refs sit right outside the ice on elevated seats. Give these guys headsets so they can discuss what they see and who is watching what at any given moment, give them a monitor with a good UI and access to all camera angles, and develop a clear system of communication about who should be watching what in which situation. When the game is at the other end of the ice, some refs can look at instant replays on their monitors, watch the blueline or just watch the game from what ever camera angle they want. Keep them as teams to increase efficiency and minimize errors like FIFA does. I'm pretty sure hockey refs spend more time trying to avoid getting in the way of players or the puck than any other ref (and still get in the way more than in any other sport). It has to be a distraction, no matter how much of a professional you are. They also get in the way of the play more often than any other refs. Movement becomes a lot harder to read when both you and the object you're watching are moving. It's why people are carefully trying to observe something, they try to be perfectly still. It would also likely be a lot easier to stay laser focused on just watching for infractions when you're just sitting still and possibly fiddling with the monitors. Basically, I think you can see a lot of things a lot better standing outside the rink than inside, so it would make sense to have both. The refs inside the rink can focus on getting a good view of what's going on near the boards, while what ever goes on behind them is watched by refs sitting outside the ice. This would very likely stop some of the dirty play just in itself, because it would be impossible for the players to know if a ref is watching them right at that moment. You could also widen the pool of potential referees massively, because they wouldn't have to be good skaters and in good physical shape anymore. You could even have women behind the monitors without worrying about authority issues.