My first game
 

I'm doing my first game ever tonight. Its a special olympics game but got to start somwhere right??.. LOL

I am soooo ready. maybe too ready. So much swirling through my head. I cant wait.

any last words of advice??

All the usual:

Slow down.
Have fun.
Tuck in your whistle before peeing.

I worked some about 5 years ago as a volunteer. Far and away it was the most rewarding officiating experience I've ever had. In fact, it was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had - period. The kids are all great and believe me, you will learn lots. Good for you for doing this. :)

Ditto what Mark said, good for you for stepping up. With that attitude you cant help but make it.

SLOW DOWN
communicate with partner (repeat for next three items)
Have fun

Special Olympics games are very unique. I worked the games when they strolled through the St Louis area many years ago. It's basketball but it's not basketball. The games and the players are a lot of fun. The game may look like 4th graders playing basketball. So you may not have to enforce the rules of the game too strickly.
Smile and have fun!:D

I'm doing this for alot of reasons.

1. Its good practice for me. I can work on my mechanics and where I'm soposed to be on the court.

2. It helps out my scheduler. Always want to help out your assignor. ;)

3. Its a good deed.

From what I understand some of these kids are pretty good.

OK... so... Just my luck.. I get a game with another guy who is on his 3rd game ever.. LOL...

so... floor mechanics.. ok.. we got our rotations down.. that was good.

Missed alot of calls. Its like I choked on my whistle. I called an OOB play completely wrong. Called it out on purple when it was out on black... and for some reason I didn't correct it. Its like I just froze. I kept forgetting to stop the clock when the ball went out of bounds. Called the direction wrong once. Uhg... I really sucked. LOL

but hey.. we all have to get our first game out of the way right??..

I just wish it would have gone better. My Mentor had a volleyball game, but it was cancled so he was able to make it to watch me ref. Said I need to be more assertive... called me on alot of missed calls... I have alot of work to do. :(

I remember my first game. I was so damn nervous wondering if I was in the right spot and trying to watch the action in my area. Like a trillion things going through my head. I know I sucked, but luckly for me I had a great friend and mentor who has helped me my whole officiating career as a partner.

There's no doubt, he has made me a better official and helped me so much.

Without a mentor, I personally think a new official is down sh*t creek without a paddle, JMO.

You'll get better just as along as you're willing to put in the effort and listen to others.

Be sure to pick something out before you hit the floor that you want to work on. You'll be fine... best of luck!

A trillion things is right.... I cant believe I forgot to stop the clock... UHG

Welcome to the fraternity. Each of us had a first game. And, for the most part, we've all been through exactly what you went through tonight. And we all survived it. :)

Yeah, you've got a lot to work on. Which of us doesn't. Pick just one or two things to work on every game, and before you know it you'll be a lot better!

Strictly
Damn that annoying grammar guy:)

ok... had a night to sleep on it.

My partner was new.. and I think that hindered me alot.

He allowed a timeout to the non control team.

Made a foul call in my area on a clean block.

No biggy I suppose but I think I would have done better if I had an experienced ref.

so I have bad grammar and spelling
 

Give me a break. I am a native New Yorker. (Schenectady)

Yep. It's amazing how much a good, veteran partner contributes to a rookie's game. You'll know you've taken your game to a new level when you can be that official who makes his partner better.

My first game was with a fairly new Ref and last night was with a vet. Yes it makes a difference. But as others have said, pick a couple things that you want to focus on next time out. It made a huge difference in my game. Now I have additional items to focus on for my game tonight.