Now I'm nervous

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Considering all the gear he brings, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a "zipper alarm" in there somewhere now.

Well, now that you bring it up. I had a Smitty custom made so that it would only reach my mouth if the zipper was up. Somewhat of a reverse alarm -- that being if I can't blow my whistle, there's no sound. The problem is whenever I spit the whistle out, it tends to drag on the court.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Well, now that you bring it up. I had a Smitty custom made so that it would only reach my mouth if the zipper was up. Somewhat of a reverse alarm -- that being if I can't blow my whistle, there's no sound. The problem is whenever I spit the whistle out, it tends to drag on the court.

What drags on the floor?

That ain't a Smitty. It's a Jeremy.

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

What drags on the floor?

That ain't a Smitty. It's a Jeremy.

I found a Jeremy for sale on the OC website. It's pretty reasonable, but you get hosed on the shipping.

[Jimgolf]

Six years to get a varsity game? Congratulations on your perserverence. Remind me not to look for work in CT.

Don't worry about the game, it's just a game. If you've been officiating for six years you've got a few years on most of the players, and possibly the coaches as well.

Let your instincts take over. The reason you have this assignment is that people are sure you're ready for it. Trust them and yourself.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

Six years to get a varsity game? Congratulations on your perserverence. Remind me not to look for work in CT.

Believe it or not, Jim, that's fairly common in a lot of states where there isn't a major shortage of officials.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

The reason you have this assignment is that people are sure you're ready for it. Trust them and yourself.

Either that or it was turned back 3 times already and it's down to you or your assignor's 12 year old daughter... (just kidding!!)

All advice given is good stuff. I rememebr my first V game...I was doing great then near the end a player asked for a time out and I gave it to him...using the T signal.

That got everyone's attention!

[stripes]

was to remember that after the ball is tossed, it is just basketball and you know how to call the game. I have reminded myself of this fact whenever I have been nervous about a game...all the way up to the D1 level. You will have to deal with other factors at every level you advance to, but it is still basketball. Call your primary and do your job. You'll be fine.

[TimTaylor]

Congratulations!

Not much I can add to what others have said, except don't forget to HAVE FUN!

I remember my first - was scheduled to work a 5:45 JV game......at 3pm our assigner calls & tells me he needs me to stay for the varsity game as well. Maybe it's just as well I didn't have much time to worry about it....anyway, it went fine & I'm sure yours will too.

All kidding aside, as a pilot of 33+ years, I'm used to using brief phrases to remember critical items. "Fly with pride" (fly, whistle, patch) is the very last thing I always say to myself before donning my jacket & leaving the locker room.

[REFVA]

I've doing basketball for 7 years. I know exactly how you feel when I did my first Varsity game. I've been doing Varsity girls for 4 years Last year was my first boys regular season game. I was $h!tting in my pants forget pucking. One thing that help me get over the issue was. One of the veterans told. " hey you've been doing spring and Fall ball with these same kids. What is different now? Oddly enough, nothing! So you made it. You are there because you have something special. JUst go do ywhat you do best!

Good Luck!!!!

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Well, now that you bring it up. I had a Smitty custom made so that it would only reach my mouth if the zipper was up. Somewhat of a reverse alarm -- that being if I can't blow my whistle, there's no sound. The problem is whenever I spit the whistle out, it tends to drag on the court.

Is that a Smitty, or are you just happy to see me?

[Junker]

My first game at new levels caused some nervous feelings before, but once the ball goes up, it's just basketball and you've been doing a good job of calling a game or you wouldn't be there. Hopefully you work with some good veterans and can get some constructive feedback during dead balls or halftime. Make sure and have a good pregame, above all have fun! My first 3 man game was with some veterans that didn't flex (the told me at pregame, I didn't believe it till we were on the floor and they literally didn't flex). Me, the newbie ended up as C all night right in front of the benches. I was thrown into the fire with my game management that night.