As a young official, you probably do not
have that much time to exercise between school, your other part-time job
(if you have one), home work and just hanging out with your friends.
However, you must realize that as a hockey official, you do not get to
change up with another referee every minute or so. You are on the ice,
skating from the beginning of the game right up till the buzzer goes to
end the third period. This takes a lot of energy out of you and if you are
not in good physical condition, you may find yourself behind the play more
than you are with the play.
We are not saying that you have to run five
miles a day or lift weights every day, but we are suggesting that you get
off your couch and be active. It is very difficult to officiate a game if
you are out of breath the entire game. The more exercise that you get off
the ice, such as playing road hockey with your buddies, or walking your
dog, will give you this extra edge that you may need from time to time and
as you progress to the higher categories where the speed of the game is
faster and you need to be in better shape.
