From rookie to experienced; to first year to the forty ninth season, at least on the court, on the field, one things that officials share – equal responsibilities. But like Tetris, there’s levels to this. Coaches, players, and fans alike, they often smell blood like a shark in the ocean. Learn to create a veneer so thick, that they see no noviceness, in you, in sight.
Fake it. Until. You. Make. It.
“I went to the mosque one day, and it came to me, like,
‘This is where I belong.’” – Ghostface Killah
OBSERVANCE OF THE RULE:
Ah, writing; a skill that’s appreciated and depreciated the same which-way in real time, where people read less, and the skill of writ becomes rarer by the hour. I think of my own come up:
The year was 2002, and I was crestfallen when a young lady who I thought was the one, wasn’t; just another one. The details are scant, but that’s is all semantics. That was my foray into writing, in my feelings, writing about a debutante that never really debuted. Instead I was the debutante, feverishly writing horrific poetry.
“The future doesn’t belong to the faint hearted;
it belongs to the brave.” – Ronald Reagan
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and although it would have been horrific to anybody, the poems weren’t for everybody. They were for me. Letter by letter, word by word, I started constructing sentences and paragraphs unorthodox, inspired by the rap music I was listening right before, only to write after what I thought were not that good. The more I did it, the more I felt emboldened to impress myself.
“Don’t ever forget the moment you began to doubt
Transitioning from fitting in to standing out.” – Drake
All that changed 4 years later; I was 4000 poems in, and then I started realizing how not good I was in comparison to the prose I was reading classic poetry. But again, it’s in the eye of the beholder. Often people say they can’t write, and often, those people are right – but only because they thing they aren’t good. I started getting that classical training: breaking down poetry before me, making some after being inspired by it, as well as reading thick novels, both fiction and non, to make me the well rounded writer that I am today. But that doesn’t mean I’m where I want to be.
Same as an official. We often talk, in all sports, about having the patience when you are officiating a game or match. “Start, Develop, Finish,” is the saying. But that’s not how it starts. The whole experience is uncomfortable, both writing and reffing, where we have the start part, down. The finish portion is different in the beginning, because you need the reps to feel comfortable, to have the feel to recognize the development of a play. That’s why it’s important, to fortify commitment to rule 1, with failing being a positive attribute.
“You have to blow everything in the beginning, to learn how to blow.”
– Bernard Bowen Sr.
Having said that, whether it be math, writing, or reffing, or anything for that matter, be bold enough to start. Have the courage to fit in. Watch games. Watch good officials. See what works, what doesn’t work for you. Use that a partial component, all while working on your OWN style. If you are a newer official, make it seem as though you been here before; that this is old hat. At some point, through repetition, and experience, you will stand out by belonging. On the flip side, if you are an experienced official, it’s important to help those before us, to make them feel comfortable, inclusive, and that they belong. They were once you, not long ago. After all, your fellow official, will eternally be, on the same team.
“Tommy Hil was my ni**a, and other’s couldn’t figure
How me and Hilfiger used to move through with vigor
Had to sit and plan how to make these seven figures.” – Q-Tip
TRANSGRESSION OF THE RULE:
Know-it-all’s have a tough place in officiating. They are often labeled as someone that is obdurate, takes it personally when they are getting feedback. This process is necessary, because if someone isn’t evaluated by someone that’s further in their officiating career, it’s hard to create a path that is blocked by a brick wall.
“The most basic human desire is to a feel like you belong.
Fitting in is important.” – Simon Sinek
I think about all of my mentors that have given me pointed advice, and all the times that I didn’t listen to them. These instances and moments were Phyrrhic victories, where I may take one step forward, but take two steps back, because I didn’t listen.
“Everyone wants to belong, or be a part of something bigger than themselves, but it’s important to follow your heart and be a
true to yourself in the process.” – Emily Griffin
KEYS TO THE RULE:
Listening: When veteran officials speak you listen. This is free information that can be deemed priceless. After something that’s being said, then apply what they have said. Does it work for you? Does it not? They will know that you are taking it serious, in turn making you feel like you are welcomed.
“You cannot hear Jimi.” – Sidney Deane
Watch: Everyone will know the severity in which you treat officiating, if they see you in gyms and other various venues and you aren’t working. The perception is, that you are taking your craft serious, and you are gaining invaluable information through absorption. Chances are, there will be other officials in the stands, doing the same thing as you. Birds of a feather flock together.
“I got lots of love, for my crew that is
No love for them other crews and rival kids
All them out-of-town ni**as know what time it is
And if they don’t, they need to buy a watch,
Word up!” – Prodigy
