Practical Advice

[M&M Guy]

I just want to add to everyone's advice:

Have fun.

If you're doing this to make money, it will quickly become a chore. You can, however, make new friendships with your partners; you can get out of the house for some exercise; you can stand out on the floor during a game and think to yourself, "Wow, this really IS the best seat in the house!". Whatever it takes to allow yourself to enjoy the whole process, will help you not only get past some of the short-term bumps (bad games, bad partners, bad coaches), but help contribute to making officiating a lifetime avocation.