One of those nights
 

Last Friday night I had a game where I just didn't feel good about my calls. The first 3 times I hit the whistle for contact I had second thoughts about it before the clock even stopped. I wasn't even able to really sell the calls. Came out with a decent second half, but never really shook the feeling that I was coming off like I had never worked a game before. Actually I felt better after my first game! The next night I was sharp as a tack, maybe one of my best games this season.

I've read here that this happens to all of us every now and then. Like the players, I guess we will have some bad games. I'm trying to take something good from the experience. Maybe it's all I can do to just recognize it for what it is, and move to the next game.

In a religion class I took, it was philosophized there can be no good, unless we also have evil.

In officiating, we can never have a best game unless we also have a worst game.

I had my worst game of the season last Wednesday. Luckily I have the game on video and was able to analyze my mistakes, figure out why I made them, and put a plan in place not for it to happen again.

Anyone who has refereed (or played) any sport has had these games. It happens to the top guys, too -- players and referees. If it's not trend, don't worry about it. But do look for a couple of take-aways. (Not a zillion, just 2 or 3.) Is there something you were doing that night that you can do better?