[ace]

I was on my way back from a Tourny, passed the site of another tourny and thought that I'd stop in. I was in street clothes so I went and sat down. Waited for half-time I was in the stands behind the table (i like to watch the game from here when I can) and when the refs came to get thier stuff at the half i pulled out my card to verify to them I was an official and asked if I could join them in the hospitality room. they said sure... I saw a few things on some plays and I asked them about it. I'm still a young official and so it was mostly for trying to expand my knowlege.... I then asked if I could tell them what I saw from the stands, I knew one of the offiicals from our local region meetings and so he didnt have a problem with it. So we talked about it and they asked for me to hang around and talk to them again after the game. Its all about how you approach the situation of going into the locker room after the game. If I want to go ima usually be by the door onthier way out or have asked before the game even started.

Now about having a co-official in the stands.. I called a game yesterday, freshman girls A championship for a tounry in the area. I was paird with a new official, our assignor, and a varsity official who helps train at training meetings before the season. I was nervouce but we had a good wrap on the FIRST half. 2nd half I made some calls back to back and I shoulda switched with my partner but her and I kinna lost each other till the 4th quarter. Now - having the other official in the stands kinna hurt us. I was watching the game before mine with my assignor/evlauator and someone asked us a question or two... I just let him handle it because I was starting to put the sponge on my shoe and my assignor picked up on that i was trying to avoid the situation.

He apologized to us both after the game for not changing after his games because it drew extra attention to us on the floor having him there in uniform with his jacket on. I've dropped into some games as a spectator. I always sit on the visitors side (less likely to be noticed and thats usually behind the table) and dont say anything to anyone. If i dont agree with something or it looked funny i make sure that if i make a reaction its under my breath.