Personality?

[zebraman]

BITS,

I think you can have both... great mechanics without being robotic.

Having crisp, standard mechanics is always a benefit, so don't ever lose that. Smoothing them out so that they look fluid instead of robotic can be added as well.

When I see a "robotic official," sometimes it's just a matter of them "throwing" their arms when they signal (movements too fast) rather than being a little slower and smoother. It seems to me that the officials who have "really serious personalities" are more likely to be robotic than guys who smile a lot and are real relaxed on the floor. See if you can stay crisp while relaxing your body. Those two things may sound like they conflict with each other but they really don't.

Keep on practicing them in the mirror. Just the fact that you care enough to do that puts you ahead of the game already. In addition to working on straight arm and crisp movements, also mix in some smoothness and fluidity. It'll happen.

Z