letting go of a "bad game"...
 

2nd year official, had what I thought was a bad game last night (not level or quality of game, but I felt like I stunk it up). Blowout game from the start, felt a step behind all night, jumped a few calls, felt way late on some, some I know I missed, and I didn't feel I was as focused in 2nd half.

R had lots of encouragement afterward. Told me what to work on, but gave lots of encouragement afterwards, even thought I felt like I did a horrible job.

I know you're never as good as you think you are or as bad as you think you are, how do you "let go" of a game where you felt like you officiated terribly?

And what do you do to try and maintain focus in blowouts?

1) Review the game in your mind to see if anything happened that you might learn from. Sometimes "bad" can be "good". And if that doesn't do it, 2 brownpops should....

2) Remind yourself that there might be an evaluator in the crowd taking a look at you(and there might).

Great lesson someone told me. You're never going to know who is in the stands watching you!

Not just an evaluator, but coaches from other schools, other referees who has a son or daughter playing, etc.

List 4-5 things you think you did poorly and concentrate on working on those things in your next game.

Other than that, a couple drinks and a good night sleep should help. :D

Or you could shovel everybody's driveway this weekend.

Thanks for the info! But I think I'll pass on shoveling:D

Never seen so much snow in Va Beach, and I've been here since '98!:eek:

Send me a pm and I'll share what works for me.

I try and break games like this into small segments. For the next 5 minutes, I'm going really try and not ballwatch, or get into better position, improve angles, crisper mechanics, stuff like that. You may want to try a new variation of a foul call that you saw someone do. I admit it's tough sometimes with blowouts or if you do 4-5 game sets of kids games to stay focused.

It always takes me working another game to get a previously bad one out of my head.

As far as when its a blow out I agree with above poster, I focus on my mechanics. Go nice and slow make them perfect!~~

I try to let go of the last call, not just the last game. The bottom line is you cannot pat yourself on the back too long when you do well and you cannot destroy yourself when make a mistake. We are all human and we will not do everything perfect all the time.

I think it is all about your attitude and all about your approach to the game. The more you study the rules; mechanics and try to apply them will give you confidence. Then at some point most of what you will do will be second nature and when you make a mistake you will not be derailed.

Peace

Thanks for all the help and advice everyone, i appreicate it! Feb. schedule is out, and i'm looking forward to the first game on Wed!!

A bit off topic
 

So many things factor into your energy and concentration levels.

I drink an UpShot or 5-Hour Energy drink about 2 hours before each tip and it seems to help. At least I think it does :o