My worst game yet.

[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"?

Originally Posted by just another ref

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"?

I wish, he didn't elaborate. He wasn't an official observer, just one of the varsity officials on the game after mine. He arrived early and I asked him to give me notes on how I did. I stuck around for his game and quickly realized the sad truth -- I'm already better than that guy.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I wish, he didn't elaborate. He wasn't an official observer, just one of the varsity officials on the game after mine. He arrived early and I asked him to give me notes on how I did. I stuck around for his game and quickly realized the sad truth -- I'm already better than that guy.

Even if that's true, it's still a good idea to ask for his opinions after watching your game. Anything he might say has potential to provoke thought which may help you to improve, whether you agree with it or not.

Originally Posted by just another ref

Even if that's true, it's still a good idea to ask for his opinions after watching your game. Anything he might say has potential to provoke thought which may help you to improve, whether you agree with it or not.

I agree, and I do that quite often. However I left out the part where he said "I know you want to do it by the book but....". That's pretty much when I stopped listening.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I agree, and I do that quite often. However I left out the part where he said "I know you want to do it by the book but....". That's pretty much when I stopped listening.

I'd have to hear the rest before I could condemn that statement. In a JV girls game that opens with an 18-0 run a lot of things often are not done by the book............with everyone's blessing.