10 Things To Enhance Your JFFHL Experience

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10 Things To Enhance Your JFFHL Experience

1. RESPECT the other players and our mandate to provide fun, enjoyable hockey for all ages and skill levels. [/list]
EXAMPLES:
-- Think twice before unleashing a slapshot into a crowded area or directly at a defender.
--If a less skilled player has an opportunity, refrain from aggressively pursuing them at every opportunity.
-- If you accidentally knock someone down, slash them, or do any other action that may cause the opponent to become angry, take 3 seconds and let them know it was an accident. Offer a fist bump, apologize, or ask if they are okay. This simple gesture can prevent many issues before they arise.
-- Remember, this is a fun recreational league. There are no scouts, awards, no money on the line, and we all have commitments outside the rink. Most ‘incidents’ are accidental. No one participates in this league to cause harm or disruption to another player's enjoyment of the game.

2. LISTEN to the ref and accept directions or advice. While standard hockey penalties are enforced in the JFFHL, we may be more strict on some calls, and an explanation is offered for your benefit.  
-- If the referee explains a call to you, pay attention as you may gain insight into our unique officiating approach (e.g., tighter enforcement of interference or face-off interference). 

3. Accept the ref will miss or make calls you don’t agree with.
-- Simply accept the call and resume play. Remember, we have ONE ref.  The NHL has 2 refs, 2 linesmen, more than 30 TV cameras, a ‘war room’ to review replays…and there are still controversial and missed calls! On any given call, 40% will agree, 40% will disagree, and 20% will never happy.
-- Accept that the ref will miss calls and make calls you disagree with. Rather than dwell on contentious calls, maintain a positive attitude and focus on enjoying the game, as emphasized on your jersey JUST FOR FUN HOCKEY.  
-- Do not make disparaging remarks or mock the ref. We have ZERO tolerance for this, and you will be immediately removed from the game without warning. 
-- Often, a player's perception of an on-ice incident is inaccurate. Refrain from hastily drawing conclusions or reacting without a clear understanding of the situation. Assume there was no intent! 

4. If the referee asks you to go to the bench in the middle of your shift, there is a reason. This call may replace a penalty or is designed to avoid escalation of a perceived issue that has been noticed. Just go to the bench and resume play when your turn comes up again. 

5. Show up before the Zamboni is on! We start offering players open spots 10 minutes before game time. Failure to arrive on time may result in your spot being filled by another player because it was assumed the player was not attending. This occasionally results in an extra player on the bench (11 vs 10).

6. Inform the ref if you assisted in a goal or scored one yourself. Sometimes, it’s challenging for officials to identify players involved in the play accurately.

7. Avoid crashing the net. You are welcome to play hard, go to the net, and ‘hunt the puck,’ but avoid contact at all costs. In turn, goalies should also exercise caution when lunging at players to prevent a goal. If you crash the net, you will be penalized and/or have the goal disallowed.

8. If you find yourself becoming frustrated on the ice, take a breather on the bench to cool down before taking any regrettable actions.

9. When a player arrives late, it's courteous for those on the bench to allow them to join the action promptly to make up for lost time by moving to the front of the line. While not mandatory, this gesture of respect should be appreciated and reciprocated.

10. Keep your shifts to 2-3 minutes.
-- Occasionally, we all can get lost in the moment and stay out too long. 
-- Benches are self-policing. If there is a problem, speak up! 
-- DO NOT be offended if the players on the bench yell at you to change; there is a reason, and you need to get off the ice. 
-- Players are encouraged and EXPECTED to remind those who stay out too long to change (i.e.verbally). 
-- If the offending player does not comply, the players on the bench are EXPECTED to ask the ref to intervene.
-- Offending players may be assessed a 3-minute personal (team does not play short) penalty.

Come to the rink ready to play, have fun, and be respectful of others.
You will have a wonderful experience in the JFFHL.