as I post this, I'm expecting (looking forward to) the inevitable joking responses (don't disappoint me) but also some serious responses......what are some of the things you "say to yourself" on the court in different game situations as reminders to: be more focused, anticipate a play, settle yourself down, forget about a blown call, get your head back in the game, etc.
Each game I try to think of one aspect of my work I want to improve on, so I'll come up with a short (3 words or less)phrase to keep reminding myself through at least the early part of the game to help focus on that.

I say all of these things to myself during a game. Of course, I don't say then all during each game. It is crucial to talk to yourself in order to keep your mind attuned to the possibilities which can be expected to arise in different circumstances.

Hmmmm, not sure I can say many of them and keep this a family-friendly board :)

When I realize my focus is slipping: "White is defending, white is defending,..." until my focus is back on the defense.

When I realize my focus has completely gone: "Get your ****ing head in the game, ****it!" I figure I'm just beating the coach to it. ;)

words of wisdom
 

When I want to keep focused I will say "gotta stay in the zone" or making that first call "come out strong"

"Get off the ball", "That's not mine", and I will also use player #'s to find my competitive match-ups - things like "Watch 32" or "Eyes on 50 and 44"...

I use "watch the defense" now and then...the one I like best is when it appears there is potential for a block/charge...I watch the defense, and say (depending on the situation) he/she is there or he/she isn't there and repeat until the situation changes...then if the contact occurs I have a little better chance of not coming out saying block while my hand is behind my head....or vice versa...

Something else you can do, other than "talking to yourself"...
Dave Libby told us at a camp, a few years back, that he puts a little note in his pocket.
He checks his note toward the end of a ballgame.
The note reads:
"DON'T F### UP THE LAST TWO MINUTES OF THE BALLGAME!"

Good advice.

Another favorite is "referee the defense"

I'll occasionally give myself a "watch the defense."

My bigger thing is to say something like "white coming this way" and repeat it - one of my biggest (mechanics) problems is calling out one color and pointing in the wrong direction. :eek:

After Team A hits six team fouls I say to myself, "white shooting bonus...white shooting bonus...."

Z

<i>"Slow down,dipsh*t"!</i>

Seriously. Just above every time that I get myself into trouble, it's because I didn't see the play through or wait for the conclusion of it. It only takes an extra second max really, and it just seems to keep me away from the borderline, questionable calls.

One thing I used to say to myself on free throws, was "white's the delay" when white was the non-shooting team so it would lessen the possibility of me blowing my whistle as soon as white violated.

On free throws I'll usually tell myself: "hold on white, blow on red." to remind myself to hold the whistle if white violates.

What I think about? Nothing unusual, stuff we all think about like:

"I wonder why that little kid in the 4th row keeps staring at me??"

"I sure hope those black helicopters don't follow me on the way home again."

"Why do I keep smelling burning rubber??"

"...I'm pretty sure I locked the car door...I'm positive I locked it...did I lock the car door? How am I gonna get home if my car gets stolen??"

"ACK! I left the headlights on!"

"...I can just FEEL those whistle kooties moving around in there!" :shudder:

"Where did that litle kid go??? Damn! He's left to go steal my car!!"

You know, the usual stuff, outside of the voices I have no control of that is.

I think that I can help you out on this one. Do you like coke? Uh, coca cola, I mean.

How about "Why did that cheerleader faint? Is my fly open?"

I think that I can help you out on this one. Do you like coke? Uh, coca cola, I mean.

How about "Why did that cheerleader faint? Is my fly open?"

[/B][/QUOTE]

I tend to think any LOC's would be due to openings on the other side of your pair of pants.

And of course "Why the **** is that guy in the third row wearing a Mariners shirt????"

"Beer after game."

I think in some other thread someone suggested the word **** be replaced by the string "Dexter, Dexter, Dexter".

Don't know why, just did.

"Why the Dexter, Dexter, Dexter is that guy in the third row wearing a Mariners shirt????"

Kinda cool. :)

I think in some other thread someone suggested the word **** be replaced by the string "Dexter, Dexter, Dexter".

Don't know why, just did.

"Why the Dexter, Dexter, Dexter is that guy in the third row wearing a Mariners shirt????"

Kinda cool.

[/B][/QUOTE]WTD- "What the Dexter"
STDU- "Shut the Dexter up"
Dan is a motherdexter.

Works for me.

Bwaa-haa-haa-haa-haa!

Why do I have the feeling that I'm going to go to camp this summer and have a whole bunch of refs wonder why the last name I used to register is an expletive? :rolleyes:

As to the **** becoming Dexter, check out http://www.officialforum.com/showthr...9&pagenumber=2

Knew that Mark. The moderator made me do it!

Blame Mick. I usually try to, if I can.

Knew that Mark. The moderator made me do it!

Blame Mick. I usually try to, if I can. [/QUOTE]

JR,
You just got Dextered.
mick

<HR>
Dan made me do it.

Dan made me do it.

[/B][/QUOTE]Why aren't I surprised? He's always been a dexterhead anyway.

YU.P.
One of my favorites.
mick

That's how I've been getting through life the past few years . . .

I'm sure Mick will understand if the Secret Service start looking for him up in the U.P. :)

An, here, I thought you were selling lab chemicals.

Oh great...finally had a chance to sit back down and see where this thread had taken us, and now I have to explain to my 10 year old son what made me laugh so hard I couldn't talk for 5 minutes!!! Thanks a lot guys...btw:anyone got a good explanation of "dextering" that I can tell my kid??? Mick - this is all your fault...

Another good moderator down the drain...

An, here, I thought you were selling lab chemicals.

[/B][/QUOTE]Nope, just ingesting 'em.

Why aren't I surprised? He's always been a dexterhead anyway. [/B][/QUOTE]

Hey! What crawled up your dexter and died? Why don't you just go dexter yourself, you cranky old son of a dexter.

Somewhere along in the next six months or so, someone is going ot do a game where there is a point guard named Alex Dexter. Every other play, a kid will yell, "Dexter!!" for the guard to pass him the ball. The poor ref will end up in the hospital with stomach cramps from laughing so hard.

Or you'll hear from the bench:
"Hey ref! That call was dexter!!"

My 2 usual ones are 1/ get in between those 2 opponents. 2/ My partner is my buddy

"Hey, I don't mind you mumbling <i>dexter</i> under your breath, but if they can hear it in the stands, it's a T!"

Sad thing is, within rec sports, this is sort of a minor expletive.

"Great - Dexter is doing our game."
"Dexter, why'd you have to call that?"
"Dex - slow down."

et cetera

I wonder if any of them read this forum. Could be interesting. What would you do if a player called you a "dexterhole", with a grin on his face?

[Edited by Jurassic Referee on Apr 3rd, 2004 at 10:26 AM]

I'd probably be so happy that someone was taking time to learn some of the rules that I'd let it pass.

Wouldn't it be "Dan is a motherdexterer"?

Dexter me

I like the idea of identifying my competitive match-ups ("watch 23 and 40"), but my dialogue is usually simply "red ball, white arrow. Red ball, white arrow". This helps me know which way I'm going on an OOB call, and also lets me indicate direction immediately on the held ball. Once we're over 7 team fouls, I add "red's shooting".

When we talk about presence (knowing what you're doing), a few things look really really good IMHO: knowing the arrow right away (without patting your pockets), indicating immediately that we're shooting 1-and-1 and pointing to your shooter. Nothing looks worse than being informed that it's 1-and-1 and you have NO idea who the shooter is. Direction, arrow, and bonus. That's my internal dialogue.

By the way, this is post number <font size = +6 color = red>4,000</font> for me! :)

chuck, let me bet the first to congratulate you on your fabulous accomplishment.....

And all but four of them have been complete bulldexter.

<font size = 6 color = brown>An Attaboy for Mark!</font>

you guys are sitting out the final four to swap insults? I don't get it....

No, wait, you've got a TV and a computer in the same room?!? I've gotta get some rearranging done here.

YU.P.
Cable TV Cable internet. ;)

Very nice, Mark ;) Although I'd say maybe all but a dozen. . .

Nah, Juulie. I sat out most of the OSU/GT game b/c my <s>little one</s> -- sorry -- my big girl wanted to watch "Emperor's New Groove" before bed. I saw the end of the game, tho, and now she's in bed, so I'll get to watch UCONN/Duke. :)

And yes, I have a laptop with wireless capability. So I can trade insults and watch the game at the same time :D

What a guy! As a former little girl, I admire you!

Chuck,
You've got to straighten out your kids!

She likes to play basketball, but she doesn't like to watch it. Besides, "Emperor" is a classic! Squeak squeaker squeak squeakem squeaker. You owe me. . . a new acorn! :D