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[Indianaref]

Thought this was appropriate for this thread. This was in the 10/12 edition of the Referee Mag:


Officials often find themselves in a high-pressure environment and are constantly presented with unique situations, no matter the level. They work in an atmosphere that can be filled with emotion, speed, physicality often in a confined area and must make split-second decisions.
In order to perform at their best, officials need to be in an ideal performance state, which means being relaxed, calm, non-threatened and confident. Body and brain act differently when a person is happy and challenged versus angry and upset. The body and mind cannot perform at a peak level with any blockers. Being mentally tough and courageous are what enable us to effectively handle pressure, a consistent element in most any sporting environment.
Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen (or not happen). Courage is the ability or strength to do the right thing in a challenging situation.
Sports officials operate from a mind-set of being in charge so that when the impact call has to be made, it is not a stretch to call on our courage to make it. Courage is a big part of being an official, particularly in a unique situation or late in the game. However, the level of courage necessary is much easier to attain if you officiate as you go by calling it as you see it.
Being too tolerant or not reacting to fouls, penalties or violations puts an official in position of having to hope nothing similar happens for the remainder of a game. React to situations as they happen to avoid the “hope” mind-set. If you fall into that mind-set, immediately reset and get back on track. Do not let it slide.
If fouls, penalties or violations are not nipped in the bud, they become things that you have to manage the rest of the game and can harm your ability to focus on your immediate task. That doesn’t mean over-officiate by making everything an infraction. An official’s quantity of calls doesn’t equate to courage, but his or her quality of calls does.
Remain in charge with proper utilization of people and situational management skills. To be a top official, employ the following mind-set:
Stay calm, relaxed and poised under pressure, giving a relaxed but strong presence.
Be comfortable in your role.
Have passion and intensity.
Desire to make the big call.
Show confidence.
Always officiate from a position where you are drawing on courage and not hope.