How much do you give a

[zebraman]

One thing I have found to help a jittery newbie is to tell him to just worry about the players on the floor. I tell him/her that I'll watch the coaches, the clocks, the benches and that I'll handle it even if the ceiling falls in.

If their head is swimming, that usually helps. And a VERY basic pre-game helps (I avoid the "what-ifs" that I would go over with a more veteran partner. I don't want to give them too much to handle).

Then I usually tell them that I expect them to smile at me at every time-out so that I know they are having fun. It's usually a forced smile, but it breaks their tension.

Z