Any of you out there suffering from burn out on basketball like I am? I have had a good season, but I think I worked too much. I'm not as excited about my games and I definitely know I'm tired of coaches and fans. Once I get into a game and call the action on the floor, I enjoy it and can focus, but as far as management, I'm just kind of fed up with some people right now. Any veteran tricks to help me get over this (other than toughing out the next couple of weeks)?

I'm not a veteran, but I play one on TV
 

Beer

My way of handling burnout is to work fewer games.

I work about 30-35 varsity/Juco games a season. I've done one JV game this year and one middle school date (both needed officials bad and good karma is good karma). I've worked 3 days of Saturday morning rec ball.

For ME, that's almost too much. Some people can work 6 nights a week and still enjoy it. You need to find your balance so that you don't get to this point at the most crucial time of the season.

I have nine games left and I'm looking forward to every one.

--Rich

I've tried beer, but every time I call a foul and stick my fist up, I spill all over the court. Seriously though, thanks for the comments. Looking back, I did take too many games this year. I've been loading up the last couple of years because at camps and when I work in front of assignors, I hear that I do everything well, they would just like me to have more experience. I'm also looking for a regular crew as I just moved to an area that I'm hopefully going to stay for a while. Thanks again.

I think Rich's advice is great. If I'm driving to a game and I'm not excited as heck to get there, it's generally because it's my 5th game in 5 nights (or because my achilles is freakin' killing me). Either way, time to cut back a little.

Z

Sounds like you need a good 2 point rivalry game with a packed house and a 2 coaches each with a roll of duct tape over their mouth. I start questioning things when I've had a few tough games in a roll but then it always turns around. I've got a GV tonight with one of the best female players in the state. She's already committed to either Iowa or Iowa State. I've been ready to go since I woke up yesterday.

This is the time of year when your legs and mind get tired and you do have to endure. Remember this next year when you are filling your schedule. Give yourself a break at the beginning of Feb so you can finish strong. For me, I'm currently working 6-7 days per week and I'm loving every minute. My biggest concern is the letdown when the season ends. I worked year round last year and will again this year but cut back to maybe 2 days per week. Already signed up for 4 camps and constantly reviewing my goals.

Getting burnt out!!!
 

This is my third year in the association. I love reffing boys basketball. I have done 40 to 50 games this year, 10 of those were varsity. I can feal myself really getting burnt out. I think I have done too many games. I have 2 games left and can't wait to be done! I really do love reffing basketball!

I found out several years ago that if I take a break in the middle of the season, the end of the season is much more enjoyable...so either the last week of Jan. or the first week of Feb., I usually block off 5 nights or so in a row and just relax - no going to others games, no watching bball on tv...just spend the time with the family doing family stuff...then the last few weeks are much more enjoyable.

Speaking of Achilles's tendons, my right one is KILLING me. Too many games last week, I think. Anyone have a good remedy?

Junker,
Take three minutes and write a list of why you are doing this thing.
mick

Um, beer?

Just relax!!! At the beginning of the year I always sign up to help with 5/6th grade stuff. However, towards the end of the year I usually give them up for two main reasons. One I usually am getting tired as well and two there are usually young/1st officials that didn't get to work many games, so I give the game to them so they can get some work. We've almost made it!! Hang in there, you know two weeks after the season is over you'll be saying "Damn, I'm ready for next year to be here so I can work some basketball!" :)

I find myself with the opposite problem. I am bummed the season is over in a couple weeks. Several years ago I was feeling burned out with officiating. It wasn't any fun anymore. So I took a few years off. The other night, I worked with a partner who was feeling burned out. That game was tough to work because his negative energy was apparent. When you feel burned out, consider taking a year off. Let yourself recover mentally and when it's time to come back to the game again, you'll know it. You'll feel that fire again. Since coming back, I've had the best time.

A remedy that would be useful, ummmm, on the court.

Junker,
I've found that my biggest problem this year has been not knowing who my partner would be. It hasn't been a problem before, but this year I've had some real "opportunities."

Rich,
I blew both of my achilles a few years ago. What was recommended and worked for me was stretching them out everyday. On days I have games or just go for a run I still stretch them for at least 10 minutes per foot and then again after the game. My running shoes I replace every 3 months and I have 2 pair of game shoes and rotate them every game.

Achilles problems
 

I went through problems from achilles tightness and I went to a Sports Medicine clinic and they recommended custom made orthotics. My insurance pays most of the cost with a prescription from my doctor. I am on my 4th pair, they seem to last 2-3 years with some tweaking along the way. Cleared up my problems. I know some who have used off the shelf inserts with some success.

About two weeks ago I was feeling really burnt out, but then had some games with great partners and good basketball. I realized the combination of some bad partners and some really irritating coaches was making me less than excited to go to the games. I noticed that I was giving coaches too much leeway, so I tightened up on that, and have been fortunate to have some good partners. For me, I know I can do a lot of basketball games and still have fun, but I know this differs for everyone.

I work 3 sports so my year can get really long.

During the basketball season I limit to working only about 3 days a week. I try not to work a lot of lower level games. I will work some Saturday mornings most of the season. I usually take some time off during the Christmas break. I pretty much refuse to work Sundays unless it is a college game (which is very rare). Now sometimes I can work 4 days out of the week, but I do my best to prevent that. I also purposely do not work both boy's and girl's games so I can prevent from having games every night of the week. The bottom line is I pace myself with my schedule. The Christmas break is usually a time to regenerate for the rest of the season.

Peace

What burns me out is too many lower level games where the quality of play is poor. I did GJV and GSoph today and both were not very good games. The players had a lack of fire, e.g. walking off the court when being subbed out. Too many held balls and bad passes and whistles. Early in the season, I can handle it. As mentioned above, a good close game with a good crowd gets me up. If I don't get one soon, it will be time for a break. I did not do any JH this year and picked up more V, which helped a lot. I like to do most levels, but too much poor basketball is wearing.

Junker, We all get this way towards the end of the season. I somehow had an unplanned scheduling break where I went about 9 days without any games scheduled. I filled in once during that break. At first I was disappointed to have those open dates, but I was getting draggy. By the time that break was over I was ready to hit the floor running again and hated to see the season drawing to an end. I have a lot of friends who work 4 -6 nights a week. They are all pretty crabby by this time. Try to get about a week's break in January. It worked wonders for me. Also, by late January I am also beginning to make the switch to jr. high V'ball. It's a very nice change of pace. Keep your chin up.

Olympic Rub-- only thing that helps my achilles...can't even feel it on the court.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone. I agree that I probably took too many games. I've been going 5-6 days a week for the last month. Last night I had a really good game which helped, unfortunately I had to tap the home coach in the first quarter. I called a blocking foul on a shot. He started by nicely asking me what happened. I told him that the defensive player moved into the shooters path and knocked him off balance. Easy call to me, I was in good position. Coach told me I was wrong. I responded that I had a good look at the play and there was no question in my mind. He told me I was wrong again. Since I've had a short fuse with coaches lately, I left the conversation to go to position for the foul shots. As I walked away he told me just admit I was wrong. Why couldn't he just let it go. Anyway, the AD from the school asked me about it and thanked me for taking care of him. I'm guessing he's had some issues throughout the season. I have tonight off and the school I'm at both Thursday and Friday have pretty good sportsmanship. Thanks again.

Last year I was pretty burned out by the Christmas break and again by the end of the season. This year I'm not burned out, and I've had more games. I think the difference this year is that I've got other things going on in my life (we just finished building a house, I'm in school, etc.). So give this a shot, when you have a day or two off, do something fun and fulfilling to you personally and don't give bball a thought. Don't check the board, don't polish your shoes, don't talk to your bball buddies. Might be enough to get you through the next couple of weeks. YMMV :)