Varsity blowouts, concentration, and timing

[Rich]

As I said before, I'm back working basketball after a time off the court.

After working a handful of JV games, I worked three varsity games last week. The first two were eaaaaaasy -- blowout games, few fouls. I really felt on top of my game.

Then Friday, I had a slightly different experience. The game was still a blowout (46-14 at halftime), but I didn't have as smooth a game as I did the previous week. I thought I'd share some of my less-than-perfect moments just to spur some discussion and maybe get some pointers from some of the vets on the board.

(1) I had a player drive baseline and cream a defender who was in position. I headed to the table and immediately realized I had made the rookie mistake of leaving the scene without a number. I had the number of the player who got fouled, like that was of any use on a player-control foul. I talked to my partner, and he gave me the number of the defender. I went to the table, and all they cared about was whether the basket counted. I still don't know who the foul was on, but it apparently got auto-recorded by the scorer. Well, thanks, THIS TIME.

My conclusion: I was too darned fast most of the night after calling fouls. On this particular instance I was more worried about coming out and selling the call hard than I was about getting the details right.

Of course, I wonder if I missed the call entirely. In retrospect, I failed to referee the defense properly and perhaps missed the possibility that the defender slid into position after the driving player took off. I don't think so, but there's enough doubt in my mind to make me realize that I didn't do my job. I always work deep, but I wonder if I could've had a better view if I had worked even deeper on this drive.

(2) Later in the same half, I almost went to the wrong end of the court to shoot in a bonus situation. There was a rebounding foul, the classic "over-the-back" foul that 90% of the time takes the ball in the other direction. Except this time the offensive player had position and the defender fouled.

My conclusion: Once again, TIMING. Call the foul at the spot and get bearings BEFORE heading to the table.

(3) Towards the end of the game, I had a play on the baseline that seemed innocent enough. I'm lead -- player from visiting team (losing by 30+ points) chases down ball with his toes on the baseline. I whistle the violation, and he immediately pulls his toes inbounds. Visiting captain starts barking at me. I remained calmed and explained what had happened, and then he barked again at me (essentially accusing me of making up the call). I whacked him. The player kept saying I had to listen to him because he was a captain. I headed to the table. The coach left him in the game, but said nothing to me or him about the technical.

With less than a minute left, there was a scramble at midcourt with bodies diving all over the place. Nothing worth calling, and the ball finally went OOB. One of the visiting players walked by and said, "You ever PLAY basketball, man?" I DIDN'T call a technical, taking the time and situation into account. Although the technical wouldn't have helped end the game, I don't like the message I sent by letting that go.

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My wife attended the game and she noted that the only thing said around her about the officiating was that it seemed we communicated well together and worked well together. Being the veteran spectator, she wondered where I had placed my head, though.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to slow myself down on the court? I think my positioning, for the most part is sound, my mechanics are pretty crisp, and my judgment is pretty good. I just think my timimg is off and perhaps I'm not quite as polished as I was back when I worked varsity schedules in other states.

And remember when you read this, I'm probably not as bad as I sound. I tend to come off as extremely self-critical, but to me that's the only way to get better at this. Although some partners just think I'm neurotic....

Rich