OK.. first highschool tonight.

[Bearfanmike20]

Originally Posted by kbilla

So how did it go?

My last game went better. I am anxious to do these 2 highschool games tonight.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Bearfanmike20

Funny you should mention that cause my partner in my last game kept saying that I dont look like I'm having fun.

Thats not the case. I just am sooooo focused that I look very serious.

Yup. That's okay. First HAVE FUN, and eventually it'll show.

Or try this: grip your whistle with your teeth and keep your lips parted untill you need to blow the whistle. That way it gives a little more of a smile look. (Although it's hard on the whistle)

Also, look at your partner more -- more eye contact. That also gives your face a more open look.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Yup. That's okay. First HAVE FUN, and eventually it'll show.

Or try this: grip your whistle with your teeth and keep your lips parted untill you need to blow the whistle. That way it gives a little more of a smile look. (Although it's hard on the whistle)

Make sure you take plenty of chapstick, then, and drink plenty of water before hand.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Make sure you take plenty of chapstick, then, and drink plenty of water before hand.

Yup, I do that too. chapstick, extra water, extra whistles. It's a high price to pay for looking good!

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

Or try this: grip your whistle with your teeth and keep your lips parted untill you need to blow the whistle. That way it gives a little more of a smile look. (Although it's hard on the whistle)

Bearfan, you probably shouldn't do this. Biting the whistle will make you look tense. Nothing more disturbing than a tense looking smiling guy with spittle running down his chin. If anything you'll want to have a cool, detached look about you. Kinda like Violet Palmer.



Also it won't be fun if you're biting the whistle and get smacked in the face suddenly with a ball or something. It could happen.

[Bearfanmike20]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Bearfan, you probably shouldn't do this. Biting the whistle will make you look tense. Nothing more disturbing than a tense looking smiling guy with spittle running down his chin. If anything you'll want to have a cool, detached look about you. Kinda like Violet Palmer.



Also it won't be fun if you're biting the whistle and get smacked in the face suddenly with a ball or something. It could happen.

LOL.... toche'

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Bearfan, you probably shouldn't do this. Biting the whistle will make you look tense.

It might look less tense than gripping the whistle tensely with lips. I mean, I'm pretty much tense from top to toe the whole game, it's just a question of which tense looks less unpleasant. I guess Mike will have to decide what works for him.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Bearfanmike20

Funny you should mention that cause my partner in my last game kept saying that I dont look like I'm having fun.

Thats not the case. I just am sooooo focused that I look very serious.

I had the same problem when I started. Many new guys do. There's just sooooo much to take in. But you've got to find a way to make yourself relax at appropriate times (like time outs, quarter breaks, etc.). Maybe take a couple of deep breaths, make a conscious effort to smile. If you stay wound tight the entire time, you can end up shutting down a bit and losing focus at the end.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Bearfanmike20

Freshmen... 2 games... I cant wait.

Goals for tonight.

1. Keep my head up.
2. Make the right call even if it means correcting myself.
3. Anticipate better.

Good luck. Tonight's my first game in 11 months. Feels like forever, though.