Can you be TOO crisp in your mechanics?

[Coltdoggs]

Went to a G-JV/V double header last night...took my girls to watch as part of youth rec league night...Of course I ended up observing the officials more than watching the game itself

Varsity crew was, 3-whistle...The R looked to be about 23 years old...kid had a baby face. I was thinking "Man, he's young for a V official"....

I was sitting 3 rows behind the score table and the gym was bare (imagine that!)....Tried to focus in on his pre-game with the table and coaches and watched his floor position and reporting manners.

Now I'm not saying anything bad about this guy, I don't know him, have never seen him officiate before and he and the crew called a really good game (there was only one call I thought should have been whistled a block on a major crash and pass that was no call and the defender got her head slammed into the floor...) but as I watched this particular guy's mechanics, he seemed VERY tight.

I know you want to be crisp and clean with your mechanics but I thought while he was always in control and focused...he appeared to be overly tight almost to the point that it was awkward and uncomfortable looking....almost robotic in nature.

For instance...on his 5 & 10 sec counts...his hand was in the position and as rigid as a one in the service that would salute an officer....and he chopped the count almost above his shoulder at ear level. Perhaps this is preferred(at least by him)...I tend to be below the shoulder about mid chest. Maybe I'm wrong?

When reporting...it was the same thing....arm would come up to signal the number to the table and it was head high to the side....(rest of his crew and where I typically report is chest high and in front of me).

Again, I'm not bad mouthing the kid...I just thought he appeared to be tight and it almost looked like he was not having fun...I wanted to tell him to loosen up and have fun...

Thoughts?