Inline referees: Focus and feel the soul of the game

„Nothing, nothing, nothing and then it could be decided within seconds,“ Radim Prchal says as one of the referees in Pardubice. „We have to stay focused all the time. That’s the most important thing so we wouldn’t miss any delicate moment like a hidden slash or push which could turn whole game into something else,“ he explains.

Just like most of his colleagues even Prchal is a former ice hockey referee. „I’m done with that. It was taking me too much time,“ he says. However, he still like the ice hockey more. „It’s better and the movement is more natural.“ He has good experience also with inline hockey. „It’s great that it’s played in summer, which is nice in comparison with ice hockey in winter. It’s just more relaxed,“ Prchal thinks.

It can’t be done without referees

Evan Christiansen is one of the officials from overseas. He’s a little different from the others since he has started his career while 12 years old. „I was watching the referees while I was growing up. I always think it’s great how the control the game,“ he explained why he chose this job.

He’s also one of many who’s rather on the wheels. „I just like the style of inline hockey. The game flows better and thanks to the skilled players, there is always something interesting to see. Also the people around inline hockey are just great,“ Christiansen said. And the biggest difference? „It’s obviously the body checking, even though the offsides are different too. They’re both called hockey, but they are two totally different sports in my opinion.“

The preparation for the referees before games is important as well as for the players. „I don’t have any rituals or so. I just try to be on the arena early enough to warm up and get focused. When a man gets used to it, it’s a routine,“ he thinks.

Jukka Virta: The players should be happy and healthy

At first the ice, then the fun. Jukka Virta is a Finnish referee who specializes on ice hockey during the season. Then he goes to enjoy some fun with inline hockey as well. „In Finland, I do only ice hockey. That’s my job.“ Virta is a member of elite group of referees in SM–liiga.

He’s really into ice hockey and the Finnish top league especially. „League is a long-term competition. Also I can work in my homeland so I prefer the ice hockey. We have three teams on the highest level. I think the Finnish league is one of the best in the World,“ he praises his domestic competition.

Tampere-born patriot has a unique philosophy about his job. „You have to understand the soul of each game and then adapt yourself to it. The players should be happy and healthy after the game. After all, we do it for fun,“ he says. „Well in this last game, I was refereeing with this guy from Australia. It’s fun for us too,“ he added.

What’s the deal with offsides?

„Why is he not whistling? It was a clear offside!“ Similar phrases from are coming often from mouths of spectators who barely know inline hockey. There are many differences from ice hockey and offside is one of the most important ones.

So how is it? „It’s a similar to ice hockey offside on the blue line. The player who receives a pass from his own half can’t be standing in the attacking half. He has to be behind it every time. There is the differnce since the player with puck can leave the zone and return no matter where his teammates are. It’s because the skating is more difficult in inline hockey and the players aren’t so flexible,“ Radim Prchal – one of two Czechs in Pardubice’s tournament – explained the rules.