Interference Rule in Minnesota High School Hockey

[jancze5]

I've attended 3 high school games and watched a couple on FSN, does Minnesota High School hockey not call Interference like every other level in every other league in the entire country?

On too many occasions to count, I've watched forwards dump pucks deep into the corners and as they skated around the D, the D clearly grabbed, blocked, checked, obstructed the skater as he tried to pass...I've seen this called "Interference" a million times since the rules enforcement changes for the 06-07 season, but not in Minnesota high school hockey.

Any REF's or guys that know their shizit that can clarify the high school rule?

[suntzu]

I've attended 3 high school games and watched a couple on FSN, does Minnesota High School hockey not call Interference like every other level in every other league in the entire country?

On too many occasions to count, I've watched forwards dump pucks deep into the corners and as they skated around the D, the D clearly grabbed, blocked, checked, obstructed the skater as he tried to pass...I've seen this called "Interference" a million times since the rules enforcement changes for the 06-07 season, but not in Minnesota high school hockey.

Any REF's or guys that know their shizit that can clarify the high school rule?

Minnesota officials are supposed to follow the new standards of play, but don't. The MSHSL seems powerless to control their officials. It's a shame because early last year they seemed to be on the right track...

[theref]

The officials don't call it that way because the coaches don't want it called. They decided they wanted the officials to ease up on the penalties. I agree that it is a shame. The only other level you see the non-calls to this level is the WCHA.

[Can't Never Tried]

The officials don't call it that way because the coaches don't want it called. They decided they wanted the officials to ease up on the penalties. I agree that it is a shame. The only other level you see the non-calls to this level is the WCHA.

Where are they not calling it?? up north? down south? I still see it called a lot, so I guess it's pretty inconsistent, just like a lot of other calls.

[theref]

The officials don't call it that way because the coaches don't want it called. They decided they wanted the officials to ease up on the penalties. I agree that it is a shame. The only other level you see the non-calls to this level is the WCHA.

Where are they not calling it?? up north? down south? I still see it called a lot, so I guess it's pretty inconsistent, just like a lot of other calls.

Probably up north, things get let go alot on Da Range, haha.

[breakout]

I've attended 3 high school games and watched a couple on FSN, does Minnesota High School hockey not call Interference like every other level in every other league in the entire country?

On too many occasions to count, I've watched forwards dump pucks deep into the corners and as they skated around the D, the D clearly grabbed, blocked, checked, obstructed the skater as he tried to pass...I've seen this called "Interference" a million times since the rules enforcement changes for the 06-07 season, but not in Minnesota high school hockey.

Any REF's or guys that know their shizit that can clarify the high school rule?

Minnesota officials are supposed to follow the new standards of play, but don't. The MSHSL seems powerless to control their officials. It's a shame because early last year they seemed to be on the right track...

I don't believe high school officials follow the standards of play. Standards of play stem from USA Hockey. The Minnesota State High School League is not a branch of USA Hockey. Unless someone can inform me differently, there is no correlation. If you are talking JR Gold, that's a different story.

[breakout]

Interference is cheating, plain and simple. It should be called everytime.

What bothers me most is the hitting to the head in games. Hitting to the head can lead to possible concussion and paralysis. Why are high school refs allowing that to be a part of hockey? Why are the coaches putting up with that? Why is MSHSL putting up with that?

In my opinion, it's just a matter of time before someone gets severely injured if the MSHSL doesn't get a handle on the shots to the head. If someone gets injured and the MSHSL and the Refs don't take action they will have a big time lawsuit on their hands. Hopefully the Refs have riders on their insurance policies.

The game has rules Refs..............call the game by the Rules. If that is done, it will be a much better game to experience.

[RLStars]

I've attended 3 high school games and watched a couple on FSN, does Minnesota High School hockey not call Interference like every other level in every other league in the entire country?

On too many occasions to count, I've watched forwards dump pucks deep into the corners and as they skated around the D, the D clearly grabbed, blocked, checked, obstructed the skater as he tried to pass...I've seen this called "Interference" a million times since the rules enforcement changes for the 06-07 season, but not in Minnesota high school hockey.

Any REF's or guys that know their shizit that can clarify the high school rule?

Minnesota officials are supposed to follow the new standards of play, but don't. The MSHSL seems powerless to control their officials. It's a shame because early last year they seemed to be on the right track...

I don't believe high school officials follow the standards of play. Standards of play stem from USA Hockey. The Minnesota State High School League is not a branch of USA Hockey. Unless someone can inform me differently, there is no correlation. If you are talking JR Gold, that's a different story.

Yes but..........If you remember back to the Elite League and Elite II leagues in the fall 2006 when the USA Hockey "NEW" standards of play were about to kick off, those leagues were told that they would be offiated to the "new" standards becuase the High School 06-07 season was also going to be enforcing them.

They started the season last year with the "new" standards, but seemed to throw them out towards the tail end of it. I think the coaches were so against the standards and the change, that eventually the officials quit calling them so close.

I have also notice that the interference call is made less frequently, but the holding, hooking and tripping seem to have held up this year. If a kid takes his hand off his stick and puts it on an opposing player, it has been getting the call the majority of the time.

[breakout]

I believe you to be correct, MSHSL tried to mirror the Standards of Play. Unfortunately, instead of going forward...........we have gone backward.

I have been told that the HS refs just need to pass a test to ref. I would hope that there would be ongoing education. I know some HS refs that just do HS games. They may get 20 games in a season. How do you become a better ref by just officiating HS games? Is it the paycheck? Or, is is passion for what you are doing?

[goldy313]

If you're only getting 20 games a season it's because that's what you want. There is a shortage of refs and you can work nearly 5 days a week if you want too.

2 years ago the refs did call a lot of interference and the coaches went nuts about it. The MSHSL uses a review policy where the coaches are allowed to grade the officials, if you're a coach who likes to play clutch and grab then obviously you're going to give a poor grade to an official who calls interference. The more poor grades you get the less likely you are to get good games. Also no coach wants penalties on their team you can call 10 on each team for obstruction and I'll guarentee you won't get a favorable grade from either coach even though you were consistant.

I hated doing youth hockey when I was a high school ref, two different rule books. Even this year I have seen high school refs botch offsides repeatedly because of the different rules between high school and youth. A legal check in high school can be an illlegal check in youth, people who think the rules are the same don't get that.

As for head shots, keep your head up and you won't get hit there. Sometimes kids are rewarded for being stupid and having bad habits.

[newsguy35]

If you're only getting 20 games a season it's because that's what you want. There is a shortage of refs and you can work nearly 5 days a week if you want too.

2 years ago the refs did call a lot of interference and the coaches went nuts about it. The MSHSL uses a review policy where the coaches are allowed to grade the officials, if you're a coach who likes to play clutch and grab then obviously you're going to give a poor grade to an official who calls interference. The more poor grades you get the less likely you are to get good games. Also no coach wants penalties on their team you can call 10 on each team for obstruction and I'll guarentee you won't get a favorable grade from either coach even though you were consistant.

I hated doing youth hockey when I was a high school ref, two different rule books. Even this year I have seen high school refs botch offsides repeatedly because of the different rules between high school and youth. A legal check in high school can be an illlegal check in youth, people who think the rules are the same don't get that.

As for head shots, keep your head up and you won't get hit there. Sometimes kids are rewarded for being stupid and having bad habits.

The first 2 games I saw this year were brutal. Not in a "non-call" way but in the fact that there was no flow because of all of the penalties. Thank god that HS doesnt have the HEP policy because neither of the 4 teams would have made it and on top of that, I dont know if the coaches would have been allowed on the bench due to the rule limits.

Glad to see they let some of it go as the year has gone on. Not that it shouldnt be called but if there is a whistle ever 2 seconds the game gets boring and loses the up beat tempo...

[who_b_dat]

Thankfully the HS league is not called like the youth games. Newsguy35 has it correct when he states that a constant stoppage and parade to the sin bin disrupts flow for players and fans alike. Been there - done that - No Thanks.

[newsguy35]

Thankfully the HS league is not called like the youth games. Newsguy35 has it correct when he states that a constant stoppage and parade to the sin bin disrupts flow for players and fans alike. Been there - done that - No Thanks.

Like I said, beginning of the year it might as well had been a 2 minute power play-a whistle after 2 minutes like in mites-and then the other team gets a 2:00 PP... It really was pretty rough to watch, coach or play in. Glad the HS league doesnt go overboard with it...

[breakout]

Thankfully the HS league is not called like the youth games. Newsguy35 has it correct when he states that a constant stoppage and parade to the sin bin disrupts flow for players and fans alike. Been there - done that - No Thanks.

Like I said, beginning of the year it might as well had been a 2 minute power play-a whistle after 2 minutes like in mites-and then the other team gets a 2:00 PP... It really was pretty rough to watch, coach or play in. Glad the HS league doesnt go overboard with it...

Rules are rules............the NHL has adopted and it's a better game for it.

[breakout]

If you're only getting 20 games a season it's because that's what you want. There is a shortage of refs and you can work nearly 5 days a week if you want too.

2 years ago the refs did call a lot of interference and the coaches went nuts about it. The MSHSL uses a review policy where the coaches are allowed to grade the officials, if you're a coach who likes to play clutch and grab then obviously you're going to give a poor grade to an official who calls interference. The more poor grades you get the less likely you are to get good games. Also no coach wants penalties on their team you can call 10 on each team for obstruction and I'll guarentee you won't get a favorable grade from either coach even though you were consistant.

I hated doing youth hockey when I was a high school ref, two different rule books. Even this year I have seen high school refs botch offsides repeatedly because of the different rules between high school and youth. A legal check in high school can be an illlegal check in youth, people who think the rules are the same don't get that.

As for head shots, keep your head up and you won't get hit there. Sometimes kids are rewarded for being stupid and having bad habits.

Your opinion about keeping your head up is plain ignorance. I have seen high quaility players get hit in the head this year. The head shots are a disease in the NHL as well. I am guessing most NHLrs keep their head up.

There is something wrong with the system when the fox runs the hen house.

[newsguy35]

Thankfully the HS league is not called like the youth games. Newsguy35 has it correct when he states that a constant stoppage and parade to the sin bin disrupts flow for players and fans alike. Been there - done that - No Thanks.

Like I said, beginning of the year it might as well had been a 2 minute power play-a whistle after 2 minutes like in mites-and then the other team gets a 2:00 PP... It really was pretty rough to watch, coach or play in. Glad the HS league doesnt go overboard with it...

Rules are rules............the NHL has adopted and it's a better game for it.[/quote/]

Says who? I believe they turned off an overtime game so we could watch the pre-race for the Preakness last year...

I agree, the rules are [/b]supposed to make it better but for HS it really isnt. If they called every little penalty we would see the third lines playing 3 on 3 the entire game because of every insignificant extra bump. This is a mans game with physical play, not any other sport where physical contact and ticky tack fouls are to be called. Keep up the way you refs are calling the games because it is more enjoyable to watch 5 on 5 flow then 5 on 4 every minute of the game.

[breakout]

Like I said, beginning of the year it might as well had been a 2 minute power play-a whistle after 2 minutes like in mites-and then the other team gets a 2:00 PP... It really was pretty rough to watch, coach or play in. Glad the HS league doesnt go overboard with it...

Rules are rules............the NHL has adopted and it's a better game for it.[/quote/]

Says who? I believe they turned off an overtime game so we could watch the pre-race for the Preakness last year...

I agree, the rules are [/b]supposed to make it better but for HS it really isnt. If they called every little penalty we would see the third lines playing 3 on 3 the entire game because of every insignificant extra bump. This is a mans game with physical play, not any other sport where physical contact and ticky tack fouls are to be called. Keep up the way you refs are calling the games because it is more enjoyable to watch 5 on 5 flow then 5 on 4 every minute of the game.

I am not talking about insignificant bumps...........that's stupid. I played a physical game. I love the physical part of the game. Call the rules..........not loose intepretation and coach affected refereeing (fox running the hen house).

If you have watched youth hockey..........they have adapted. The Standards of Play works. It allows the skillful players to shine. If you are not skillful you better work at your game and adapt.

[goldy313]

In the NHL the difference in talent isn't as great as it is in high school. High school is a different game, same with the NFL and high school football. You can't say just because it's this way in the pro's it should be this way in high school.

In high school if two kids are racing for the puck but one is considerably slower and it ends up hindering but not hooking or holding the faster kid is it interference? In the NHL it is, in the NFL it is, but in high school sports it's not. IMO that's a good thing.

[breakout]

If you're only getting 20 games a season it's because that's what you want. There is a shortage of refs and you can work nearly 5 days a week if you want too.

2 years ago the refs did call a lot of interference and the coaches went nuts about it. The MSHSL uses a review policy where the coaches are allowed to grade the officials, if you're a coach who likes to play clutch and grab then obviously you're going to give a poor grade to an official who calls interference. The more poor grades you get the less likely you are to get good games. Also no coach wants penalties on their team you can call 10 on each team for obstruction and I'll guarentee you won't get a favorable grade from either coach even though you were consistant.

I hated doing youth hockey when I was a high school ref, two different rule books. Even this year I have seen high school refs botch offsides repeatedly because of the different rules between high school and youth. A legal check in high school can be an illlegal check in youth, people who think the rules are the same don't get that.

As for head shots, keep your head up and you won't get hit there. Sometimes kids are rewarded for being stupid and having bad habits.

st 2 games I saw tThe firhis year were brutal. Not in a "non-call" way but in the fact that there was no flow because of all of the penalties. Thank god that HS doesnt have the HEP policy because neither of the 4 teams would have made it and on top of that, I dont know if the coaches would have been allowed on the bench due to the rule limits.

Glad to see they let some of it go as the year has gone on. Not that it shouldnt be called but if there is a whistle ever 2 seconds the game gets boring and loses the up beat tempo...

Let me guess newsguy, skill was not a big part of your game

[breakout]

In the NHL the difference in talent isn't as great as it is in high school. High school is a different game, same with the NFL and high school football. You can't say just because it's this way in the pro's it should be this way in high school.

In high school if two kids are racing for the puck but one is considerably slower and it ends up hindering but not hooking or holding the faster kid is it interference? In the NHL it is, in the NFL it is, but in high school sports it's not. IMO that's a good thing.

Why are there rules then?

Do you tell your kid(s) it's ok to cheat? Great life lesson

How about, little Sid maybe you should get off your XBox, stop working your thumbs and go to the park and work on your skills so you don't get beat and look stupid?

[breakout]

Time for bed

Can't wait to read more from newsguy and goldy........Minnhoks development experts

Cheating GOOD..........Rules BAD

[newsguy35]

If you're only getting 20 games a season it's because that's what you want. There is a shortage of refs and you can work nearly 5 days a week if you want too.

2 years ago the refs did call a lot of interference and the coaches went nuts about it. The MSHSL uses a review policy where the coaches are allowed to grade the officials, if you're a coach who likes to play clutch and grab then obviously you're going to give a poor grade to an official who calls interference. The more poor grades you get the less likely you are to get good games. Also no coach wants penalties on their team you can call 10 on each team for obstruction and I'll guarentee you won't get a favorable grade from either coach even though you were consistant.

I hated doing youth hockey when I was a high school ref, two different rule books. Even this year I have seen high school refs botch offsides repeatedly because of the different rules between high school and youth. A legal check in high school can be an illlegal check in youth, people who think the rules are the same don't get that.

As for head shots, keep your head up and you won't get hit there. Sometimes kids are rewarded for being stupid and having bad habits.

st 2 games I saw tThe firhis year were brutal. Not in a "non-call" way but in the fact that there was no flow because of all of the penalties. Thank god that HS doesnt have the HEP policy because neither of the 4 teams would have made it and on top of that, I dont know if the coaches would have been allowed on the bench due to the rule limits.

Glad to see they let some of it go as the year has gone on. Not that it shouldnt be called but if there is a whistle ever 2 seconds the game gets boring and loses the up beat tempo...

Let me guess newsguy, skill was not a big part of your game

Was a goalie and there were many of games I bumped the post off by kicking side to side so that the scrum in front of the net didnt cost our team a goal. Its called being heads up. If some kid is in a foot race and is a little slower, he cant get infront of him and play positional hockey. Instead he should move over and let the kid by and watch as his goalie has to work to keep the puck out of the net... Play with some heart is what I would tell the kids, cant do that because the other player is faster...

I have no problem with calling the holding and clutching and grabbing but some of the little heads up plays need to be left alone. If a kid hinders progress to the puck when another teammate is going for it I can see a penalty but if 2 guys are going for it and simultaneously bump or cut the other guy off it doesnt need to be called... I dont want to watch European hockey in America, its no fun to watch...

[goldy313]

It's not cheating, it's a different set of rules. Not to mention hockey is full of gray area and discretion. Was there intent? What constitutes control of the puck? Who has the right to an empty spot, the better skater just because he's the better skater? You can't as an official assume anything, you have to actually see it and it's much easier to see things from the panoramic view of the seats than it is from the ice.

[Dazed&Confused]

The Highschool games I have watched the officiating has been just fine. Some of the rules Interferance for example are being called correctley.
The Youth levels have been calling those infractions wrong. Some of the examples in previous posts are proof even the people watching dont understand the rules completley. Interfeance seems to be the area where questions on calls arise. I will give you that the head contact and rough play does seem to get out of hand. And most or all would be called at the youth level.

[Undercover Hockey Lover]

As for head shots, keep your head up and you won't get hit there. Sometimes kids are rewarded for being stupid and having bad habits.

goldy313....These are the two hand pops under the chin that have become so popular because coaches all the way up don't bother teaching proper checking. There are crap chickensh.. hits that aren't called near enough.