Nerves, nerves nerves nerves.

Think good thoughts for me: tomorrow I have two soccer games right before I head back to Collegetown for my last semester. If they were just games, there would be no nerves at all!...but the second of the set is being assessed, which means I'm under more pressure than usual to not screw up.

Word on the street is that I'll pass--I know my stuff. I've kept up with my training (running and bookwork), this isn't a new age group, I know how to sense the mood of a game and adjust accordingly, and I am qualified to do this. (That my hopes of advancing will be delayed three years if I fail this observation really don't have bearing on anything. Really. None.)

If I can shut out the stress and make the first call of each half a good one, I think I'm gonna be okay. I just have to remember: decisive whistles! Touch the far sidelines and the top of the 18 at least a few times each half, whether they need it or not! Call the first foul! Watch for retaliation! Keep good eye contact with my assistants! Have a good pregame! Give the card if the game needs it! Use F-I-R-E and S-I-A-P-O-A and the four D's and the three P's!*

...Wish me luck!

*Frustration, Intimidation, Retaliation or Establishment of space--the four reasons an elbow becomes cardable. Speed of play & of the attack, Intent of tackler, Aggression, Position of tackler, Opportunity to play the ball, and Atmosphere of game--the six criteria to use in determining whether a slide tackle is fair play, foul play, serious foul play, or even violent conduct. Distance from goal, distance from ball, defenders between attacker and goal, and direction play is heading--used to determine whether or not there's been a denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) and reason for a send-off. Personal, Public, Provocative?--if it was any of the three, then that dissent was worthy of a caution (visual as well as verbal). Probably the most informative footnote written so far on this blog. Whew.