Sunday, March 20, 2011

Hello, exhaustion. I almost forgot what you were like.

Just sitting down after a busy derby weekend. Made a six hour road trip to ref a doubleheader. Worked as an IPR during the first bout, and ran hot laps on the outside in the second. It wasn't an easy night in stripes...

If there's one thing I can impress upon other officials out there, it's that you NEED to work with other people. Go visit other area teams. Get their refs to come visit you. Talk. Email. Network! Don't allow yourself to develop those skills in a vacuum - it ends up hurting everyone involved. While you're at it, visit sites like Zebra Huddle. It's a great place to get opinions and clarifications. When I was injured and couldn't travel to ref in other towns, it was an invaluable resource to allow me to continue to develop. I'm a much better ref than I would have been without it, and I made some new friends there along the way as well.

Today we had a doubleheader hangover scrimmage with the other league in the town we visited. I jammer reffed both of them, and I felt strong. Well. I felt tired, but I felt sharp and on my game. I realized at the end of it that the "bad ones" make the "good ones" feel that much sweeter. I'm truly lucky to be surrounded with the people at my home league, officials and skaters alike.

Now I'm resting quietly while my pads spin in the washing machine. Two complete boutfits are next. I think I'll go to bed early tonight...

Monday, March 7, 2011

What was I so worried about?

So, as it turns out... As long as you know your rules, know how to skate and have a great ref crew backing you up, Jammer reffing - even for sanctioned and regulation bouts - isn't that scary after all.

The quiet time between jams...

It was a good derby weekend. I only got taken out once - but they tried at least three times. During one of the attempts, I almost took down everyone else on the inside with me.

My skating continues to improve, but my conditioning is still lacking. I was completely exhausted by the end of the second bout, and my quads are still kind of sore today. I need to drop a bunch of weight, work on cardio and get those skills up-to-par with the quickness.

The next day I participated in a quick photo shoot. I needed a new headshot for the new league's programs, and they throw in a few extra "studio" poses while they're at it. The mohawked helmet plays an important role in mine. I also got one with my new derby wife.

Oh, I didn't mention that, did I?

I asked the Head NSO of my new league, Ms. Silken Tofu if I could be her derby wife (thereby making her mine as well), and she accepted. For those readers who don't understand the concept, I'll make a separate post on the concept of derby wifedom later. For now, just know that she and I have each other's backs.

I actually have a weekend off coming up. Those are going to be rare for the next couple of months. I plan to enjoy it as fully as I can, but I'll probably go skating on Friday night anyway. I think it's a good idea to just skate for fun from time to time since it can seem like work when you only do it at practice or in bouts.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Nervous? But I don't get nervous any more...

I've reffed several sanctioned bouts. I've jammer reffed several, too. This coming weekend will be the first time the two of these are combined, however.

I'm a bundle of nerves, and I can't figure out why.

I'm completely confident in my knowledge and in my ability to do the job. I can't even tell you the last time I got butterflies thinking about upcoming bouts. Why am I freaking out?

I don't know what this has to do with "freaking out," but I found it while searching for a photo that might be appropriate for this post. I'm just going to leave it here anyway.

Ultimately, I know I do everything I can to be a good ref. I know that this weekend will be awesome, and that I'll be fine. I just wish I'd stop twitching every time I think about it.