My worst game yet.

[LeRoy]

Some people will say we are just there to call a game. So it is what it is for the game. I sometimes I also let a lot go when the game is that lop sided. I get a long with most of the coaches I work for so they know I would do the same if it was there kids. I really like a running clock when something like the above happens. But the REAL story is I bet it is great working with your son. If he is a young official do not let him pickup any bad habits on a game like that one.

[Mark Padgett]

Since they are "independent" schools, it's your responsibility to inform them of the NF rule change - the one that says if one team gets a five point lead, you go to running clock for the rest of the game including timeouts, free throws, between quarters and halftimes.

[bainsey]

We've all had those. My second year, I had 73-3.

It was 52-0 after three, and it took a technical foul (second plane violation) to get the visitors on the board. It was -- and will likely be -- the only time a coach thanked me for the T when reporting it on his team.

I had someone observe me once, in a JV girls game. The game was over 3 minutes into the first with the score 18-0, visitors. The observer commented that I lost focus after the game was out of hand. He was absolutely correct....I lost focus because I was trying to switch into game management mode.

I also work soccer -- and when you go to do an USSF assessment the observer will throw out his observation if the game was not challenging/difficult enough. Their rationale is that officiating a low-quality game does not provide opportunity to show your true colors as a referee.

The takeaway is this: do your best to focus, but also realize that how you do in this uncompetitive game is not a true reflection of your skill as an official. Even great officials can struggle in a terrible game.

[JetMetFan]

1. Find things in your game you can work on.
2. Call fouls that need to be called so that...
3. All of the participants leave with the body parts they arrived with, preferably still attached to their bodies.

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by JetMetFan

1. Find things in your game you can work on.
2. Call fouls that need to be called so that...
3. All of the participants leave with the body parts they arrived with, preferably still attached to their bodies.

This, especially #1. How many times, without having to do countless wreck games, do you have the opportunity to work on areas of officiating? Things like clock management, rotations, table communications, mechanics - it's all there and the great thing is you're getting paid to do it (note I didn't say you're mailing in the effort, just that you're also taking the opportunity to polish aspects of your game).

[bob jenkins]

"My worst game yet."

You're still young. It will get worse.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by AremRed

The observer commented that I lost focus after the game was out of hand. He was absolutely correct....I lost focus because I was trying to switch into game management mode.

Tell us more about what you mean by "lost focus" and "game management mode."

Originally Posted by just another ref

Tell us more about what you mean by "lost focus" and "game management mode."

Sure!

"lost focus" -- I started thinking about how to better manage a game that was turning into a blowout.

"game management mode" -- using preventative officiating to curb any potential problems that may arise (such as fighting/rough play, taunting, etc.) due to the losing team's frustration. This mostly includes calling more of the marginal fouls and violations committed by the winning team.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Sure!

"lost focus" -- I started thinking about how to better manage a game that was turning into a blowout.

"game management mode" -- using preventative officiating to curb any potential problems that may arise (such as fighting/rough play, taunting, etc.) due to the losing team's frustration. This mostly includes calling more of the marginal fouls and violations committed by the winning team.

Doesn't sound like you lost focus to me. More like you shifted focus a bit, in a positive manner from where I'm sitting. Surely there was more to his critique than simply "lost focus"?