Trial by Fire, FT, TO, Blarge

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by grunewar

dsqrddgd909 - another piece of advice.....never forget your beginnings.

As you gain experience, develop, and become a more senior ref, always remember how you started - the good and bad games. Then, when you see that younger, inexperienced official struggling or having a bad game, give them the same little push and encouragement you're getting.

We've all been there!

Continued good luck!

This is great advice. I'm in the middle of my progression from sub-varsity to varsity and often get partnered with first year officials on sub-varsity. I make a point of telling them we all have been there and done that.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by dsqrddgd909

I actually had tears in my eyes. Thanks!

No wonder you had a blarge -- you couldn't see the play.

[zm1283]

As these guys have already said, move on and get back on the horse. I had a bad boys JV/V night last night. My partner and I really didn't do all that bad, but the play was pretty rough and the players not all that talented. When the games are that bad, it makes you think you didn't do a good job though. My next game isn't until Friday and I'm ready to get back on the court so I can forget about last night.

[Ignats75]

Originally Posted by zm1283

As these guys have already said, move on and get back on the horse. I had a bad boys JV/V night last night. My partner and I really didn't do all that bad, but the play was pretty rough and the players not all that talented. When the games are that bad, it makes you think you didn't do a good job though. My next game isn't until Friday and I'm ready to get back on the court so I can forget about last night.

I had a girl's varsity game Monday night that set the game of basketball back 25 years. One team was baaaaaaaad, and tey won by 20 so you can imagine how bad the other one was. (Actually, you might not) Like I said before, its hard to look pretty when the game is ugly. I can't wait to get back on the court tonight.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by dsqrddgd909

The next time someone complains about this forum, I am sending them this entire thread.

You guys don't know me from Adam's left Ox, I can't possibly do anything to benefit you, but you offer terrific advice and encouragement.

I actually had tears in my eyes. Thanks!

C'mere, give me hug big guy!

As previously posted, you took notice of mistakes filed them away. Nice.

[offici88]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

You've just done what I think is the single most important thing you can do. You took some time after the game to sit down with (electronic) pen and paper and evaluate your performance. This will do more to hasten your improvement and to set you up for success in the areas you've just identified in your next game than any other thing I've found.

Bring on the next game!

So glad I found this thread today. I've got a game tonight for a team that I haven't worked in 3-4 years. That game went about as badly as the OP. Anything that could rattle me, did, and it showed. I think back to that game often and remember my mistakes and what lead me there. I was in over my head with a false sense of security. I expect tonight's game to be much different in how I handle myself, my calls, and my relationships with the coaches.

[Anchor]

Everybody has got to have a first game, and it is generally a huge wake-up to those who have been critical of officials as mere spectators. The trick is getting to the second game with a clearer picture and some confidence.

Sounds like you have made some good steps--obviously watched some tape of your performance; verbalized your mistakes; recognized shortcomings. I hope you haven't ignored the probable hundreds of things you did right.

It's a constant learning journey. Part of my pre-game whenever I do a JV game (many times my association assigns a varsity official to a JV game to help the newbies out) is for each of us (myself included) identify what we need to work on or are trying to learn that particular outing. I've found that if you try to learn/fix it all in any particular game you accomplish little, but if you address things one or two at a time you learn a surprising amount.

Good advice given earlier in this thread: slow down. Work on ridiculously crisp mechanics (slowing down will help you with this). You do not want partners, players, coaches, or even fans guessing at what you're communicating.

Enjoy the journey.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by dsqrddgd909

My mechanics on OOB made me look like a traffic cop.

YouTube - Dancing Traffic Cop