Well, I'd love to say that I had the time of my life...I did have SOME fun...but I was TIGHT. The game was tight, too. 35-34 final score. Neither team played well...I think the problem was the fact that I knew too many people at this school. I coached JH boys there the last two years...the problem wasn't on my end...the Girl's Varsity coach is the AD (my game was GV) and he doesn't have the best bench decorum.
I called a tip on one of his players as the ball went OB and he actually stated that I was a guest in their house and they should get those calls! Ultimately, his girls did NOT play well tonight...they were lucky to come out with a win. He got T'd by our crew chief with 90 seconds left...and they still won the game (home team).
Looking at the game...I know I was tight and I blew at least one call (called a foul early on that was NOT a foul at all...but I had already "sold" it...it was my first whistle...) After that I settled in...but not down. I don't know if it was becuase it was varsity or not...but I never calmed down...I was intense the ENTIRE game. Maybe it just takes time to get used to...that's what I'm thinking at this point.
My wife brought up a good point as well...I know MANY of the people at that school...in fact, people from my church (I'm a youth pastor) came to the game to see what I'm doing with some of my "spare" time. I am thinking that for the best of all involved...I don't go officiate at that school. I don't have a "favoritism" problem...I just think I care too much about what the people think as I know so many of them. I think that's why I didn't settle down at all.
My partners also weren't in the mood to teach. Maybe they didn't see much to critique, but I want feedback to get better. I did miss one rotation where we ended up with two leads (I was the second)...didn't miss any calls, but I saw the rotation LATE! I didn't feel like there was much "understanding" about where I was coming from. Who knows...maybe I should've known more going in.
Ah...now I'm second-guessing myself. Overall, I feel pretty good about the game we called. I think we were on top of the game and nothing HUGE glares at me (except the jerkiness of the H coach). I did have fun...but not A LOT of fun!
I'm looking forward to getting back into this officiating thing after New Years!
Thanks for being so supportive on here, guys! It's good to be on the boards.