|
It always gets worse this time of year, as the overall record starts to catch up with the coaches, and they've got to find someone to blame it on.
THere are two things you can do to help you feel better about all this, and get your head back in the game.
First, I think you're nearly at the end of the Not-Enough-T's stage. It's time to morph into the Way-Too-Many-T's stage. This is a normal stage of ref development, especially the very old (you and me and Terrapins Fan) and the very young. Go through it, knowing that there is balance in another year or so. WHACK everybody. Well, okay, that's an exaggeration. But quit hesitating. You'll find that a lot of the time (especially at your level) it actually helps the coach by getting him out of officiating mode and back into coaching.
Second, get a tape of one of your games, and study ways that you might appear green and uncertain. Facial expressions, body language, habits of voice that seem tentative or less than confident. I remember the first time I caught a glimpse of myself as I ran past a mirror on the way off the floor into the dressing room. Wow, I looked awful. No wonder coaches yelled at me. I made a change in my make-up routine and the very next game the yelling was cut down by half. Now that particular change probably won't help you much! But find something in your appearance that could look significantly more calm. Work on it.
It also might help to take a few days off, right now, if you can. You might be able to collect yourself, and feel better, and also come across better to observers.
One more thing. Learn to ignore the fans. They are the definitive Clueless and not nearly as attractive as Alicia Silverstone. Learn to have a curtain up that just stops all the yelling and all the crap. You can do it. It's not always easy.
We are all here for you, Dan!! Stick to it!
|