"Reverse rant"

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Sometimes, the new official also needs to just listen and offer not reply or offer an argument.

As a new official, I have needed to learn this. There are some times that I just need to shut up and take the criticism, even though I might be right.

For example: I was doing some 3-man games (CYO). An experienced official I had worked with before showed up early for the two games following mine. I asked him to watch me and give me pointers on how to improve. While he was watching me, I called a foul on number 7, and as such had to report the number with two hands. After the game, my observer told me not to report with two hands. I immediately replied "but, but, he had a number that required it!". He didn't understand what I was trying to tell him, and he thought I was just making an excuse. In hindsight I should have just shut up.