Getting Nervous
 

Hello Everyone.

I'm a new official this year (officiated 11-12 yrs ago but i have limited 3 person experience) and I have attended clinics and scrimmages this year but as the season draws closer I find myself more and more nervous. Any thought or advice?

Call the obvious, stay in your primary, blow a crisp whistle, and use strong mechanics!

Welcome Back!
 

A little nervous is probably natural. Relax. Prepare (uniform, be in shape, study rules, mechanics). Arrive early. Have a good pre-game. Call what you see. Stay in your area. Trust your partners. Have fun!

The rust will shake off before you know it.

Good luck.

I always say a little nervousness (butterflies) before a game is normal but nervousness once the game begins is not good. One of the things that I like about officiating is that it makes me feel like when I was a young athlete. Once the puck would drop or the ball was tossed, the butterflies would disappear and I would just play. The same thing happens now.

Take a Percocet.

A starbuck's venti with a shot of 5-hour energy followed by a red bull chaser should calm you right down.

...I like to think of it as being ANXIOUS.

You're ANXIOUS for the game to get started...and as stated previously...any NERVOUSNESS should be melted away once the ball is tossed.

There's a first for everything......
 

Hmm, I know here at the Forum we like to say, "Always listen to Bob!"

But, in this case, I'm not so sure......... ;)

Listen, yes. Imbibe, no!

For me, knowing that I KNOW THE RULES BETTER THAN ANYONE IN THE GYM was a source of confidence. From the rules knowledge came good mechanics.

That confidence was critical for me early on in my career. Get your nose in the books and make sure it's the case for you as you re-enter this avocation. Good luck.