The Game within the Game

 

 

After shadowing District 3 officials Jim Seidel and Jason Milner during a weekend of District Playoffs this year the phrase “the game within a game” came up.

 

According to Seidel, the term refers to “how coaches and players actually play the game – and their constantly adjusting strategies that provides alternating intensity, tempo and flow.”

 

The game within a game also requires an official to constantly adjust the evaluation of the play being dictated by the coaches and players.

 

“Experienced referees do not set the style, mood, tempo or flow of a game,” said Seidel.  “The coaches and players play the game, we just respond to how the athletes are competing within the rules.”

 

Siedel also stressed the importance of a referee managing these sub-games artistically. Because ultimately how well or poorly officials manage the game within a game dictates their success or failure in providing a fair, safe, fun, consistent and competitive environment for three periods of play.

 

A strategy

Fans might not realize it, but most officials enter a game with a strategy a lot like a team’s game plan to take charge and manage the game within a game. 

 

This can create a battle of wits with the two benches.  Often coaches and players will attempt to take liberties with an officiating crew to gain a competitive advantage.  Things like, “Come on ref, that was an intentional offsides” or “Call it both ways, ref.” And most of it is part of the game plan to try to “work” the officials.

For their part, the referee’s strategy is to not let the antics of coaches and players affect their judgment.  When the boundaries are crossed, appropriate penalties are assessed.

 

“These games within the game are as important an element of hockey as the puck itself,” said Milner. “It has a long standing tradition that has a rightful place and when properly executed can make for some very entertaining hockey.”

 

Seidel calls the exchange “a cat and mouse game.”

“Two teams and the spectators are all too often pitted against the two or three officials,” he said. “For referees it is very important to set the tone right off the bat and let the teams know that we’re here to play hockey, but within the boundaries set forth by the officials.

 

“The experienced official views the games within the game as an opportunity to be part of the contest but not the centerpiece while reacting to situations that occur not only during play but after the whistle.”

 

The right call

Coaches, players and parents have all seen how an experienced official recognizes that there are good non-calls that help establish, or keep, a good flow in a game.  Officials also know that the right call at the right time can send a message to both benches that a certain act will not be tolerated. And it’s all to create a consistent, even flow to a game that does not give an advantage to either team.

 

“Good officials use their people skills to their advantage,” said Seidel. “A simple handshake with the coaching staff, a compliment on a nice save to a goalie, or taking a moment to explain to a player why you called a particular penalty are all part of the game within the game.”

 

Most seasoned spectators find it enjoyable to watch veteran coaches deploy their game- and bench management strategies. But it can be equally fascinating and enjoyable to watch an experienced officiating crew adapt and manage the constant changes in bench strategy that happen over the course of a game.

How the referees manage the games within a game is an element that many observers do not always recognize or appreciate. How the game is played is up to the coaches and players - the referee’s main goal is always to provide a safe, fun, fair and competitive environment consistently.

 

And contrary to common belief, the refs do not care who wins. They are just managing the game within the game.

 

 

Dean Krispin is a former official that is back watching youth hockey. Contact him at: mh@michiganhockeyonline.com