NFHS Mechanics

[ccharef]

first off. the two referee and one linesman system actually works pretty well if its done properly and all three officials are on the same wave length.

the back referee positions himself somewhere between the neutral zone face-off dot and the centre ice face-off dot, just like the back referee in the nhl's four-man. the linesman then covers the blueline and makes any line calls.

the referee only makes the inital off-side call when plays enters a zone and then the linesman comes up and takes the line, the back referee can then take his time getting up the ice and watch for any possible infractions. many places work it the opposite of this and have the linesman make the first call, but it works horrible that way and that's where confusion is and the referees get caught up. this way there's no constant handoff of lines or crossing over each's other view.

as for it being used in pittsburgh, it can't be used in usa hockey games and you should report any league's use of this system to matt leaf @ usa hockey. it voids the insurance for everyone on the ice.

in division one ncaa hockey, we currently use a one referee and two assistant referee system. the ar's are basically linesmen, but can actually call (NOTE I DIDN'T SAY REPORT) infractions that occur behind the play or go unobserved by the referee, they also have other duties as well that normal linesmen don't have.