Officiating Education

New Official Ice Sessions

DCHOA coordinates in-person training and evaluation/feedback for new officials each season. The objective is to supplement the scaled-down USA Hockey requirements and better prepare new officials to skate their first games.

It is an expectation that any new Level 1 official attends one of these DCHOA-sponsored education events. Preference for being assigned to games will be given to new officials who attend a session.

📋 Session Format

All sessions start with an off-ice "chalk-talk" introduction to help prepare for your first game. This includes a brief discussion on in-game positioning and how the on-ice session will be organized, with time for Q&A and DCHOA game assigning information afterward.

Participants will then have the opportunity to work a live game under the mentorship of an experienced official. The experienced official will skate alongside the new official and provide feedback as they get their first in-game experience.

Participants will also sit 1-on-1 with a mentor and observe part of a game, where they'll be asked questions and given the opportunity to share their own observations.

✅ Requirements

Registration

These on-ice opportunities are designed for individuals who are in the process of, or have completed, the USA Hockey Level 1 officiating registration process and are seeking additional preparation and training. Attendees must be registered with USA Hockey before attending a DCHOA on-ice session. DCHOA encourages all new officials to take advantage of these sessions to enhance their skills and confidence on the ice.

Required Equipment

Participants are expected to provide their own equipment for these sessions. All participants must have: