Lousy Partner, Lousy Me

[rainmaker]

I've been sort of assuming that as my skill as a ref improved, I'd be getting better and better partners. I hadn't noticed until quite recently that some of my earliest partners were actually very good refs, who had been paired with... me. Hmm.

So now I'm getting more variety, and realizing that having a lousy partner could be a good thing. I'm also realizing that I don't handle it very well. I don't mean how I talk to him, or try to get him to change. I mean how do I still be good ref, when he's so... lame.

I don't feel right about "just call your game." It just doesn't work. And mick's mantra of "get in, get done, get out" sounds terrific, but what does it mean? Specifically?

For instance, if he's calling no travels in his area, and so one coach is getting basically screwed, do I pass on the nasty ones at my end too? Trade more, so I can call it at both ends? Or what?

I T'd a coach tonight, basically because he had lost it completely, and frankly, I would have too, if I were him. It wasn't just my partner who did a lousy job, it was both of us. But what should I have said earlier on, knowing that it wasn't going to get any better, that might have calmed him down a little?

I don't think his team would have won if we'd called it differently. But I can sure see why he might think so.

All advice appreciated.