10pm is still pretty hot, or I am already drunk:confused:

The whole picture process looks like a billboard for the combined effects of meth and alcohol.

Depending on which direction you view the series. If both were in play (meth-head girl, drunk guy)...the next morning could be quite a shock! :eek:

Hey, It Was 5:00 p.m. Somewhere ...
 

Agree. and I haven't had a drink since 11:00 a.m.

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.

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.