Hammered!!

[TheOracle]

You probably did fine. You need to always act like you belong. Rockyroad is correct, just focus on your area and work on your judgment when you hit the floor with those guys. If they choose not support you and help you get better, chances are you will surpass them sooner than they--or you--think.

[kblehman]

Originally Posted by rngrck

Worked with varsity officials for the first time the other nite and didn't go well. These guys intimated the heck out of me and never felt comfortable and as a result, had my worst outing in my brief 3 week career. I'm still working on my mechanics and they had very little patience with me and unfortunately let it affect my performance. All I wanted to do was run out of the gym and hide. Funny thing though, after the games, I got some compliments from the players which made me somewhat feel better.
Any of you rookies experienced this?

I don't think I've experienced anything that bad, but I understand what you're referring to.

When I work with an official who I know is a veteran I get a little intimidated, especially if he's not very personable. Worse, I tend to defer to the veteran for fear of blowing a call in front him, or having him wonder why I made a certain call.

OTOH, when I work with a guy I know is either new or has less experience than me, I usually have my best games. I don't seem to be as hesitant or as likely to second guess what I just called. It's almost like I take over and lead in those situations, and I end up calling a very confident game.

I dunno, maybe that's strange. Anyone else relate to this phenomenon?

[rngrck]

Thats exactly what happened last nite to me!! I worked with a guy more or less in my range and I had my best game yet. I guess you could chaulk up this whole experience due to the lack of experience. But lets not deny, they're are alot of cocky refs out there especially the ones who have the same partner for years.

[kblehman]

Originally Posted by rngrck

Thats exactly what happened last nite to me!! I worked with a guy more or less in my range and I had my best game yet. I guess you could chaulk up this whole experience due to the lack of experience. But lets not deny, they're are alot of cocky refs out there especially the ones who have the same partner for years.

I've found that 98% of veterans are more than happy to help rookies get better, but those other 2% sure do come across as pompous jerks.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by kblehman

I don't think I've experienced anything that bad, but I understand what you're referring to.

When I work with an official who I know is a veteran I get a little intimidated, especially if he's not very personable. Worse, I tend to defer to the veteran for fear of blowing a call in front him, or having him wonder why I made a certain call.

OTOH, when I work with a guy I know is either new or has less experience than me, I usually have my best games. I don't seem to be as hesitant or as likely to second guess what I just called. It's almost like I take over and lead in those situations, and I end up calling a very confident game.

I dunno, maybe that's strange. Anyone else relate to this phenomenon?

Yep, I can relate. I step up a lot more if I'm working with somebody newer than me. I have a tendency to lay back just a little bit if I'm working with a vet. It's something I'm working on. I'm comfortable being the stronger official; I'm not as comfortable being the weaker one.