OK - I admit it. Reffing is much harder than I thought it would be.

[Back In The Saddle]

RE: Signals

Get in front of a mirror. Practice all of your signals regularly. Practice the whole sequence of arm up (fist or palm, as appropriate) followed by the foul prelim (assuming one is common in your area) or violation followed by the disposition. Practice your table reporting mechanics too. Run through all the numbers, all the fouls, pointing, etc. Practice making that funny T shape as well, practice making it look cool, calm, detached, just another foul-like.

This does a couple of things. First, if you'll work through the entire sequence, it helps build the muscle memory and proper habits that will allow you to get past having to think about this. It'll just become automatic. Second, it gives you a chance to see what you look like, and make adjustments until you look good with all the signals.

Practice all this regularly. I still do it regularly when I hit the mens room at work.