Now I'm nervous
 

Well after working hard and waiting for 6 years I have my first varsity assignment on Decmber 22nd. The down side is that I have 4 weeks to get myself really nervous. I hope I don't puke on anyone's shoes....

You could just puke now and get it over with... ;)

One thing you'll find is the game itself isn't much different than the games you've been working. There will still be fouls to call, throw-ins to administer, free throws to watch, etc. The one difference is (usually) the play is better. If not, well then you've had experience calling those types of lower-level, sloppy games, right?

The most important thing is to enjoy it. I still remember my first game ever, my first HS varsity game, and my first college game. I was told to enjoy the moment, and it helped. Sure, things still happened, but at least I learned from them.

Good luck, and let us know how it went.

A little thought to keep in the back of your mind...as was relayed to me by a salty old veteran...chances are, YOU are the only person (OK, and maybe your partners) that knows that it's your first Varsity game. So try to relax, stay in the moment, and before you know it, you're in the locker room doing your post game. Enjoy!

I worked my first varsity game last year and I was nervous as I drove to the game. However, once we got into our pregame, things began to settle down for me. When we went out on the floor, the first thing I noticed was the atmosphere was very different from the typical JV game (like having a full crowd, mascots and a band). That was cool. At the appropriate times, we met with the captains, and then the coaches. A student sang the national anthem and as I raised my right hand to my heart, I noticed something terribly wrong...I did NOT have my whistle! I informed my partners and as they introduced the players, I dashed back to the dressing room. I made it back in plenty of time, but I was a bit embarrassed.

Once the game got started, I did notice a lot more intensity (players, coaches and fans). After I made my first call, I settled down and the game went well (a 20 point blowout, with no problems). It was a lot of fun.

My only advice is to remember your whistle when you go out on the floor!

I have my IAABO test tonight, closed book, need to get an 86% to pass.

I think I'll go throw up now

talk about nervousness

joe

Don't forget to zip your fly before you go onto the court!

Tanner,

Only you would come up with that one! :D It is the same game you have been calling your whole life. The players are just bigger, stronger and faster. Do not be alarmed if at the start of the game it is a blur. You will pick up the speed real quick. Just remember to find the piviot foot and it will help you. Let us know how it goes. Good luck!

Well, it's by far the most important advice he can get before his game. Look at it this way, would you rather me tell him or 30 student fans in the cheering section. Oh, the method they would be using is: "Zip your fly (clap clap clap-clap clap)." :D ;) For the record, I have seen this done before, but I wasn't on the floor, I was watching -- talk about funny!

Speaking of which... M&M offered me a game at Arcola this year. I later found out you were on it so I backed out! :D Just kidding, no I already had a game scheduled. Big bummer, I was hoping to get to see you guys this year. Hopefully something will work out later on in the year.

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I won't tell you not to be nervous, because I'm sure you will be. Just remember that you're there for a reason. You've been doing things the right way, so keep doing those same things that got you there. Have a good pregame, take a lot of deep breaths and then do the things that you know have served you well. (And if that includes puking, so be it! :) )

I hear people say this a lot -- "enjoy it". But honestly, I didn't enjoy it. I was so focused on the game and what I was supposed to do and where I was supposed to be (and I was so nervous) that I didn't really enjoy it at all.

I remember my first HS and college varsity games also. I didn't enjoy either of them. After the fact, I could say "Wow, that was cool. I feel like I did a good job. What a great experience." But I was not having fun in the middle of it. I just wanted to share another perspective.

I think the most important thing is to do a good job; which means doing what you've been doing all along to get to this point. You're going to do a great job, so try to relax. And let us know how it goes!

Well congratulations on your assignment. Just have a lot of fun. At least you have about a month to get yourself someone mentally ready. The problem is that even with all that preparation you might feel like you are not ready. It is a natural feeling to be nervous and I am sure the people you are working with will have some idea that you are new.

Everyone has to pop their cherry sometime. ;)

Peace

This actually did happen to me in my first HS game.

cmckenna, take a breath and look back at how hard you prepared to get to this moment. If you kept a journal, you should take a look at past notes. Do not change your approach towards the game. The major changes are the strength, speed and quickness of the players. The atmosphere is great!!
Have fun, it will go smoothly.

How did you find out? Fans, partner(s), table?

My guess is he speaks from experience!! :o

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. :D

What drags on the floor?:eek:

That ain't a Smitty. It's a <b>Jeremy</b>.:D

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

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

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.

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

My advice is expect to make mistakes.

I used to go into games expecting perfection and when I made one mistake I was thrown off. As some will tell you no one has called a perfect game so you can't expect yourself to either. After you MAKE your first mistake say to yourself "I'll talk to my partners about that play later but now I have to concentrate on the next play". Then you must follow through and forget about the mistake because if you harp on it then you will make another mistake.

I had some great advice from my R in one of my first college games. He said call the obvious in your area and don't worry about ANYTHING else. It simplified my thought process and allowed me to call a better game. Your partners should help cover anything big that you might miss.

My first HS Varsity game was a packed house (over 2,000) and it was 2 very good teams. I would have been nervous but I had a cold and was feeling pretty sick. It helped take my mind off the moment because I was thinking of how lousy I was feeling. I was praised highly by my R after the game and was given almost a complete varsity schedule after that. So my advice to you would be to catch a cold a couple of days before the game :p.

Check your whistle, check your fly, have fun, call your game, expect mistakes, keep your cool, and let's see what else? Oh, yea, you can order a Jer... no, that one's not really relevant.

Scrappy didn't have fun, but some folks do. The best moment for me was when the JV guys were coming off the floor, JV teams were leaving, varsity teams just setting up for their warm-ups, table people switching, and as I began to look for my bag, I realized, "Hey, I'm not leaving, I'm staying!!" Now THAT was adrenaline!!

Also, a little closer to the time remind me, and I"ll tell you my "first game follies" story, just to give you a laugh. Others will chime in, and you'll be able to relax a little as you go out on the floor for your first. If you hear them now, the humor will wear off before it has a chance to really help.

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

best advice about nervousness I ever got
 

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.

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.

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!!!!

You men will merely be risking your lives. Whilst I am risking an almost-certain Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. . . Now go do. . . that voodoo. . . that you do. . . so weeeeeeeeelllllllll !!!!!"

http://www.scvhistory.com/gif/lw2145g.jpg

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.