nerves

[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.