This is a tough thing for a young official. Maybe you could find a veteran that isn't working some night to come to your game. On an aside tell him what you have told us. Tell your partner that he is coming to watch you and give you pointers on your mechanics. Then he can tell your partner what he is doing is very wrong. I agree completely with Mr. Padgett. Mr. Rutledge for once is pretty off base on some of his observations. The only time I seem to get in trouble is when I go into games with preconceived notions about one player or how one team will play. We are in an area where we only have 20 schools within an hours drive, so we see teams at most twice a year. I believe each game should be called on its own merits and what happens in that game should be what you see, not what you think will happen ahead of time. I had a partner once who would warn me ahead of time which player was the star player and not to give him "cheap" fouls as then his team would have no chance to win. I don't think it is our responsibility for him not to get "cheap fouls" it is the players. I seldom know how many fouls a player has or do I pay ANY attention to the disparity in team fouls. As a matter of fact, the only time I look at the score is when I'm the umpire and I make sure the scoreboard and the bookkeeper match. Also, near the end of the game and we might have to watch for a last second shot.
Keep them "straight up"
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