nerves

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by stir22

any of you veterans still/ever get nervous before your games?

That's why so many officials have a pre-game in the throne room.

[Indianaref]

I kinda know what you are going through. I don't get as nervous anymore, I get more excited and anxious. When I used to get nervous, I felt as if something might pop up during a game that I might not have seen before and screw things up...may not react correctly. Also, when I worked with a more experience official(s), I wanted things to be perfect, which I later realized is impossible. That's why I think I spent a lot of time watching video, found a great mentor, worked a lot of games (AAU also), practiced my mechanics, had nose in rule book, watch lots of varsity games and not least of which is this forum. All of these helped me feel more confident and relaxed during a ball game.

[Rich]

I find myself anxious in certain moments. The last time was when I worked the "game of the year" last season that was hyped like no other regular season game I can remember since I moved here. The game was on TV, was sold out in 10 minutes (advance ticket sales), and there were stories on the 5PM news about rivalries and the importance (overstated if you ask me) of this game (which was right before I left the house). Those butterflies lasted until I tossed the ball up and from that point on, I was simply working the game.

Of course the JV game before us went OT, too.

[Terrapins Fan]

My 11th year. I do get a little nervous before BIG games, and it doesn't have to be a BIG Boys game. I had an intra City Rivalry girls game last night and was just a little nervous, once the game started, I was fine as usual.

Most games, I am not nervous at all. Sometimes a partner will make me a little nervous, but rarely. If I work with one of our board members.

I can't tell you how much I enjoy refereeing. I remember my partners telling me my first year, " Just relax and have fun"

"Have Fun"? I thought, I am too busy to have fun, I got to watch the players, the clock, listen to the coach, think about the call, the rules, the Arrow....no time for fun.

Now, I love it, I don't think about anything much, sometimes the foul count, but not even that too much. Just let the game come to you.

[SE Minnestoa Re]

I've been at this for over 30 years. Most nights, I could take a nap five minutes before the start of the game. On nights that there is a big game or a state tournament game, I am a little more wound up, but not tons.

One of my former partners was the most Nervous Nelly I have ever met in my life. He would hit the facilities four or five times before we walked on the court. However, once the game started, he was outstanding.

The moral to the story is that everyone is different and you just have to work within yourself.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

That's why so many officials have a pre-game in the throne room.

I stopped throwing up before games twenty-nine years ago. Now I save it for vomiting on coaches shoes.

[bainsey]

It's interesting to put your finger on what makes you nervous.

I've worked two new high school floors this year (for me), one last night and the other last month. I was a little nervous last night, but not at all last month. I had a rookie partner last night and was the R, and was the U last month with a veteran I've worked with before. I go to church in the town where I served last night, but don't know anyone well in the other town.

Nerves can keep you on your toes, but they can also negatively affect mechanics. I know of once where I whistled a foul with an open palm last night. That's not a big deal to most people, but it gets noticed nonetheless.

Both coaches thanked us on our way off the floor, so I suppose that's a decent sign.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Both coaches thanked us on our way off the floor, so I suppose that's a decent sign.

And I own this bridge that crosses the East River, and connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. Want to buy it? You could put up some tolls and make a lot of money. Just send me your bank account number, and PIN.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

And I own this bridge that crosses the East River....

Ah, come on. I've never had someone displeased with me thank me after the game. Usually, they just avoid.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Ah, come on. I've never had someone displeased with me thank me after the game. Usually, they just avoid.

Hang around for thirty years. Then you'll figure out not to believe compliments from coaches, even losing coaches. They always have ulterior motives. Always. Same thing with winning coaches. Even coaches in the stands scouting. All coaches, period. Even dead coaches.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Hang around for thirty years. Then you'll figure out not to believe compliments from coaches, even losing coaches. They always have ulterior motives. Always. Same thing with winning coaches. Even coaches in the stands scouting. All coaches, period. Even dead coaches.

Whenever anyone says, "You called a good game" (and yes - it does happen sometimes) I always reply, "Yeah. I know."

The line to use when they complain is, "Coming from a real expert like you, that means a lot".

[Terrapins Fan]

Originally Posted by bainsey

It's interesting to put your finger on what makes you nervous.

I would say that I get a little nervous because I don't want to screw up, I don't want to miss a call and I don't want to misinterpret or misapply a rule. I don't want to be the difference in a win or a loss.

Coaches, fans and players don't bother me.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

That's why so many officials have a pre-game in the throne room.

Ahem..... I really had some issues a few yrs back, but it's gotten better over the yrs. I still get a bit anxious/nervous before games but have learned to eat light leading up to the game. That being said, my anxiety is long forgotten when I hit the locker room and start preppin!

[Mark Padgett]

The full body massage I get from Bambi before every game seems to take away any nervousness or stress. That, combined with my meds, lets me just float through games.