Keepin' motivated

[3rdPersonPlural]

Did a 4:30 game today. Two teams stocked with first year players. Very slow awkward lacrosse. Both teams well coached by gentlemen who would rather use a cuss word in front of their team than complain about a call.

To complicate matters my partner was the assigner himself, who could have run things solo if he was of a mind, and I was missing a conference call that I doubt I could have contributed much to but I was sure anxious to know how it turned out.

So I drifted. My 12 yo, who is on spring break and who likes to watch lacrosse, came out at the quarter break and evaluated me as being slow and apparently disengaged. Thanks, squirt!

I'm not a lazy or slow official when I'm engaged, but I'm comfortable enough with the job so that I can sleepwalk through a game like that and do a creditable job, but upon reflection, I was probably doing a disservice to the kids.

How do you guys stay motivated when things get routine?

[eme]

As Joe Dimaggio once told an enquirer who asked why he played all out every game:
"I never know who is watching me for the first time."

[MElaxRef]

I'll use the opportunity to work on weak spots in my mechanics.

Examples: Count players and long poles more often; focus on clear signals; practice watching away from the ball as off official; watch the passer while the ball is in flight as on official; move to keep the best angle on the play.

Also, when I'm working with a junior official, I'll evaluate his performance and provide constructive feedback.

[Woodenstick]

In addition to the excellent points above, I often get social if the games are boring. Chat with the players, sometimes even at the spectators if they seem the right temperment. Once you start talking, you have an additional motivation not to screw up: you don't want your new "friends" to think you are an idiot! Anyway, this works for me as a motivator; for others it might be counterproductive and make them lose focus.

[FitzGoalie]

In addition to the excellent points above, I often get social if the games are boring. Chat with the players, sometimes even at the spectators if they seem the right temperment. Once you start talking, you have an additional motivation not to screw up: you don't want your new "friends" to think you are an idiot! Anyway, this works for me as a motivator; for others it might be counterproductive and make them lose focus.

That's a good point. I know personally that if a Ref is friendly and strikes up a conversation with me (happens a lot actually) i feel very bad later in the game when i have to yell at him for a Dumb call. cometimes, i'll let them slip just because they're nice.

[NewRefInGA]

As my screenname says, I'm too new to lose motivation in Lacrosse, but I have a football story that I tell myself a lot when I start thinking that way.

I don't usually lose motivation on Friday nights, but on Saturday mornings some of the youth games I do can be real easy to coast.

I went to an NFL "grassroots" clinic and the former Director of Officials was there to speak for a few minutes.

He told a story that he had traveled to Green Bay one weekend to evaluate a crew, and decided to go out for a run on saturday morining. he ran past a park where youth games were being played so he decided to stop by and watch. There was nothing special about this particular game. There was a 3-man crew, 2 of whom, while not loafing, were definitely not hustling, but the 3rd crew member was running all over the place.

He stayed until the end of the game, went over to the officials, introduced himself, and spoke to the third official- so that the other two could hear. He took down his information and gave him his information, and his business card.

That official was given the opportunity to start in the Arena League, and at the time he said he was currently working NFL Europe.

His point was "you never know who might be watching".

I realize this was a long story to get to my point; I assume that some, if not all of this story may be somewhat apocryphal, and that the chance of making officiating anything other than a beloved hobby are beyond remote, but I am just dumb enough to believe that it is true, and that seems to work for me.

[rpiket12]

Did a 4:30 game today. Two teams stocked with first year players. Very slow awkward lacrosse. Both teams well coached by gentlemen who would rather use a cuss word in front of their team than complain about a call.

To complicate matters my partner was the assigner himself, who could have run things solo if he was of a mind, and I was missing a conference call that I doubt I could have contributed much to but I was sure anxious to know how it turned out.

So I drifted. My 12 yo, who is on spring break and who likes to watch lacrosse, came out at the quarter break and evaluated me as being slow and apparently disengaged. Thanks, squirt!

I'm not a lazy or slow official when I'm engaged, but I'm comfortable enough with the job so that I can sleepwalk through a game like that and do a creditable job, but upon reflection, I was probably doing a disservice to the kids.

How do you guys stay motivated when things get routine?
__________________



haha i think that was my game. east meadow on long island sound familiar?

[LaxRef]

haha i think that was my game. east meadow on long island sound familiar?

Yeah, I think if 3PP faces north, turns right about 80 degrees, and walks 3000 miles he'll be right there!

[Shorelax]

Yeah, I think if 3PP faces north, turns right about 80 degrees, and walks 3000 miles he'll be right there!

:rofl:

:roll:

[CardinalPuff]

Yeah, I think if 3PP faces north, turns right about 80 degrees, and walks 3000 miles he'll be right there!

maybe he could just click his heels together three times and repeat "there's no place like East Meadow, there's no place like....."

[3rdPersonPlural]

maybe he could just click his heels together three times and repeat "there's no place like East Meadow, there's no place like....."

As a matter of fact, Puffy, I tried that already. I didn't transport to East Meadow, but I did turn into a young Judy Garland and sang wistfully until I saw the ex trophy bride flying by on a broomstick. I lit out after her with my ball bucket full of water, but I broke a heel on those Ruby Slippers and almost turned an ankle.

Do not try this at home unless you have enough Tequila left over to break the spell. I know of no other antidote.:nono: