Quote:
Originally Posted by DTQ_Blue
I'm an umpire with 5 years of experience, mostly sub varsity, i.e., 13-14 y/o, with partners who also work mainly at that level. I have gotten about 10-15 varsity games per year, most being low to mid level games, and not often with the top umpires in our association as partners. I've worked hard at learning how to umpire and for the most part, I do well in these games.
However, every so often I get to work a game with a top level partner, and of course I want to do well those games. On a couple of these occasions, I've had some of my worst games. I've missed calls, rushed calls and generally messed up things that I normally handle with no problem.
I suspect it has to do with nervousness. Though I don't feel "nerves" my performance tells me otherwise. It reminds me of a time years ago when I had to take my daughter to the hospital for an emergency and drove right past it (though I didn't feel nervous at all that night). My partner (hi Mike if you're reading this) tonight gave me some good suggestions, e.g., "slow down." I'd appreciate any other thoughts on how handle the nerves and do what I'm capable of doing on the field.
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Here is a thought for you,
don't allow yourself to critique yourself until after the game.
I have known many umps, and have done it myself, who critique themselves during a game and then you end up missing more calls.
Like so many have said, we are our own worst enemy on the ifeld most of the time.
Call your game, don't worry about what your partner thinks.
Know your mechanics, know your rules.
See the play, call the play,,,,,,,,,,,,,then move on to the next one.
After the game, get a critique from yourself and your partner.
If you have a bad game, take the time to recognize what you did RIGHT and how to build on that.
Nobody iis going to build confidence by focusing on the missteps.
Overcoming the missteps is what you think about off the field.
Never, never, never beat yourself up on the field or you will miss the following plays and then either your partner or a coach will start to beat up on you.
One play at a time, the game is won that way by the players and so it is with us. One play at a time