It’s been a while since I’d really posted anything, in large part because work has been sort of crazy. It can get that way when you own your own business. But I didn’t realize I haven’t posted in 2 months. Wow does life get away. Nothing earth-shattering this spring, so here are some snippets. . .
• Since my wife is working crazy hours lately (70+ hrs/week), I haven’t taken many matches during the week. I’d like to take more matches, especially since I need to get my game count up so I can upgrade to a , but life comes first.
• I went to Pro Clinic and learned a TON. I was most impressed by how seriously other referees take their games. By contrast, I felt old and slow.
• I did a U19B middle recently that was a big surprise. At halftime, the score was 6-0. I always get nervous when things like that happen, since the team that’s down can sometimes play with a “nothing to lose” attitude and resort to thuggish behavior. Not in this match! In all honesty. . .in the second half, I called ZERO FOULS! The only times I blew the whistle were to start the half, after goals and substitutions, for offside infractions, and to end the match. I was absolutely amazed and let the coaches know that I thought it was a testament to the sportsmanship of the guys.
• I worked my first Development Academy match, as an AR. It was a U16 game and was impressed with the speed, quality, and professionalism of the players. It definitely requires a lot more focus than a typical MOSSL or Buckeye Premier match. But all in all, I feel like I did well but felt fortunate to have survived the match. A few days before I was helping a client move some items and ended up pulling a muscle in my back, right under the right shoulder blade. It hurt to the point where when it spasmed, it affected my breathing. A week later, I still feel it if very slightly. We (OH-S) have our State Cup round-of-16 (and round of 8 ) matches this weekend and I should be fine for my 2 matches tomorrow and 3 on Sunday.
• I haven’t sent anyone off yet in 2009. Something’s fundamentally wrong with that : )
• But at the same time, I feel like I’ve been doing a much better job managing my matches. With US Soccer’s 2009 directives calling for more flow and using the Game Management Model, I feel like I’ve been able to take some more risks which allow more flow. . .while at the same time using tools other than cards to manage the match. Starting to better understand the importance of presence and personality.
• During nearly all of my matches this spring, I really haven’t felt very good. I often battle niggling little injuries. . .whether it’s my feet, my calves, or my knees, it’s always something. I do think that part of it is that I’ve been expecting a lot more of myself in terms of positioning and being in the right place at the right time. It’s still a work in progress, but I’ve been working most on getting good positions.
• “A man’s gotta know his limitations” — “Dirty” Harry Callahan
I am finding that 3 games per day is my limit. In part, I know this is an admission that I’m not as young as I used to be. But it’s also acknowledging that I expect more/better of myself. But it is also a good way to ensure that when I do work a match, that I’m able to give it everything I have. If I do a 4th or 5th match in a day, sure I’ll survive and most people won’t necessarily be able to tell the difference. But I certainly won’t leave the field in those 4th and 5th matches of the day feeling like I did a good job. And that’s important to me.
At any rate, I’m hoping to have more to report after the weekend wraps up. But until then. . .to all you moms - HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! All you guys out there. . .you’d better be super-nice to your mom and your wife - especially if you took games on Sunday. Myself, I have three on Sunday - just enough to let me take my wife and my mom out to a nice dinner. : )