That oh...crap...feeling

[Welpe]

Got to experience that this last Saturday at the end of a close girl's JV game. Home team is up by 5 or so points when there is a scrum near the division line for a loose ball. Home team player reaches for the ball but doesn't control it when the home coach starts screaming for a time out. Ball is never controlled by home player and a visiting team player recovers it and scores an uncontested layup.

Ball is collected by the home player and is at her disposable when I hear the screaming for a timeout again. Thinking it was the home coach, I hit my whistle and grant it...realizing it was the visiting team coach. I wanted to disappear into the floor.

I told my partner what we had, gave the visiting team the timeout (their last) and was kicking myself for screwing this one up. Visiting team coach knew he got away with one based upon the look on his face.

Fortunately the erroneously granted timeout was not a factor in the game but I am still miffed I screwed it up. I at least know exactly what I did wrong...serves me right for assuming something.

The best part of this situation was my partner's reaction after I granted the TO. He could tell I was upset with myself and told me "Hey it's over now. At least you knew right away what you did wrong. You've called a good game, forget it and finish it strong. Keep your head in the game."

After the game he gave me some tips about handling those situations and we ended up having a detailed post game, which was a treat in itself. It's nice to work with quality partners like that.

Guess I'll be adding that to the list of officiating mistakes I never want to make again.