Sorry I havent posted in a while.
My first game was Saturday. A girls freshman game. I had a great partner. I did some things well and missed some things. But overall I was very pleased with myself. And there were several senior guys there evaluating people and they spent a good deal of time watching me. I was very encouraged by their comments. They all said that if they hadnt known I was new they would have thought that I was a 4 year official. I loved heraing that. I dealt with a coach very well (or so they said) and did some things they thought were great. I properly brought in subs before the first of 2 FTs when a player had been DQ'd. I stopped play and consulted with my partner when we had a 1 and 1, the girl hit the first and the other team went to inbound and my partner didnt stop it. So I waited a sec, then whistled it, went over and told him what I had and he corrected it and awarded the merited FT. The senior guys said I was getting my hands up nice and straight. They told me they agreed with all of my calls that I made and that they were well called and reported. They stressed that I needed (when trail) to watch for far side high action and that I missed a few travels on that side. We called about 40 fouls. It was 10/9 and 10/9 for fouls each half and into double bonus a few times as I remember. All the senior people were very enthusiastic about how well I did. Which of course made me happy. They said it was the best first game they could remember and said I should be very happy. Needless to say, I was geeked!!!
The game was a blow out. Of the many things I need to work on, one is definately game awareness. The first time I truly remember looking at the score was when I was watching for a last second shot befor half, at which time it was about 24-8 in favor of the home team. I was actually surprised how much cleaner this game (frosh girls) was than the freshman boys scrimmages that I worked. Wierd.
My second game is tomorrow (freshman girls again), so I'm sure I will mess up the stuff I did right last game
Kidding. I'll try my best, but part of my good game had to be my partner. He was real cool and easy going. I have another game next wednesday (girls JV).
If I wasnt hooked before (which I was) I am addicted now. This is so much fun. And the kids just love it. Even the girls. They are so intense.
I liked instructing them on the freethrow lane spacing. It seemed like every shot it was "no blue, you cant be in that last space" or "white, you cant straddle the mark, you gotta be in or out of the space," or "blue, you gotta clear out of that spot if white wants it" etc.
Clark