Your Body Needs Fuel
In conjunction with being physically fit,
you also need fuel to get you through a game. When we refer to fuel, we
mean eating something good before a game, not just junk food. As officials
we usually have to walk past the canteen that has all of those bags of
chips and chocolate bars and a referee’s nemesis, a poutine. Speaking
from experience, when you eat a poutine before a game, by the end of the
first period you will feel as though you are going to be sick. Your
stomach starts to churn and cramp up on you and before you know it, you
are having trouble concentrating on the game because you are more worried
about being sick on the ice. Whatever you eat before a game, do not eat a
large, heavy meal that will sit in your stomach, such as a poutine or a
steak dinner.
If at all possible, try to eat at least two
hours before you go on the ice because this will give you time to digest
some of your supper before you start to skate. Remember, skating a full
game as an official is a very good workout and you do not want to do it on
a full stomach, although sometimes you can not avoid this as your schedule
may require you to eat right before a game. We are just as guilty as the
next official. We will have a chocolate bar before a game if we are
hungry, but believe us that by the time the third period rolls around, you
will be extremely tired.
Proper Foods
Try to eat foods such as spaghetti that
provide lots of carbohydrates, which is your body’s main source of fuel
for exercise. The body consumes carbohydrates first, then fat, and then
protein. Since officiating hockey is an aerobic type of exercise/job, you
need your carbohydrates in order to have a sufficient amount of energy for
your body to perform for the entire length of the game.
Other foods that are extremely beneficial
before you officiate a game are: vegetables (the more green the better),
fruits, cereal (Vector or Raisin Bran), grain products (whole wheat
bread), and milk. These foods provide a great source of carbohydrates.
The bottom line is, if you eat properly all
the time then you will have more energy to officiate hockey and do other
daily tasks much easier and with a greater source of energy.
