Reflections on Season 3

[BrendanP]

Season 3 seemed to become more mundane than seasons 1 and 2 for me. It started to feel more like a job. Has anybody else felt this way during their time?

Just like last year I've started to have the thoughts about whether or not to continue. I guess it's like that old saying that you don't know what you have until it's gone. I'm just not sure whether to give it up yet.

[bama_stripes]

It's because you've learned most of the "big" stuff, and the game has slowed down for you.  Now it's time to work on the nuances that make the difference between being "an official" and being "a good official.

[ALStripes17]

It's because you've learned most of the "big" stuff, and the game has slowed down for you.  Now it's time to work on the nuances that make the difference between being "an official" and being "a good official.

^^^ THIS!

there is still so much to learn after only 3 years. Heck, you're now in a position where you can enjoy the game and experience, in addition to learning the details!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[zoom]

I do think there is value in determining whether officiating remains fun.  If it isn't fun to do, then it is correct to consider doing something else.  Officiating is a time intensive avocation that will never provide the kinds of financial rewards that a true "job" would.  I agree with bama_stripes that you may simply have reached a level where you don't feel challenged anymore.  I would submit to you, however, that there is a lot more to learn about officiating.  Your feelings could be due to your association or even the level of games you have been assigned to work this far, as well as the officials you tend to work with.

I recommend attending a quality officiating camp this spring.  I have always found attending camps and clinics to be enriching, and also a good way to recharge.

I hope you will find enjoyment going forward and find a way to make officiating a part of your efforts to have a fulfilling life experience.

[scrounge]

I found that year 3 was a bit of an inflection point as well. The first couple years were learning the individual part of the craft. In my experience - and it is just a data point of one - that 3rd year was a transition from being an individual contributor to beginning to be a member of a crew and learning the craft as part of a crew. Let's face it - football is much more of a crew-based avocation than other sports. The social and people-part of all that is important. It was in year 3 and even 4 that the social aspect became more important as I got on a regular crew for Friday nights and started seeing a lot of the same people on Sat mornings and other days. Without that crew/social aspect, I'm not sure it would be anywhere near as enjoyable.

[GAHSUMPIRE]

Brendan, At the end of every season, it seemed I always had that conversation with myself. And then as the next season drew closer, my anticipation and excitement always grew. When the anticipation of a new season stops, THAT's when I would make a decision about continuing- not immediately after the end of the current one.

Give yourself some time away, if you don't miss it, perhaps your decision will be made for you.

[VALJ]

Season 3 seemed to become more mundane than seasons 1 and 2 for me. It started to feel more like a job. Has anybody else felt this way during their time?

Just like last year I've started to have the thoughts about whether or not to continue. I guess it's like that old saying that you don't know what you have until it's gone. I'm just not sure whether to give it up yet.

Brendan, first thing, congrats on making it through 3 seasons!

The most important thing to consider: are you having fun? I tell everyone that if you're not having fun with it, you're spending too much time away from my family, busting your butt in the gym, busting your butt running up and down the field, and getting grief from everyone but the other guys on the field in stripes to do this. It's not worth it if you're not enjoying it.

I found that year three was where I really started enjoying officiating. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the first two years, but they went by in such a blur with all of the new things I was learning every time I stepped on the field that I didn't get a chance to just enjoy being out there. Third year, and beyond, I finally felt like I knew enough of what I was doing that I could sit back, let the game come to me, and immerse myself in the flow.  Don't get me wrong - I still learned a lot of things, and I'm STILL learning things now, and I just completed my 15th (!) season. But at that point, I was able to feel comfortable enough with what I was doing that I could see more than my narrow little slice, and the game opened up and slowed down for me.

[Etref]

When I was training new officials, I equated it to a horse with blinders on.

First year they looked straight ahead, next year a little wider. The third year was usually the most dangerous because they knew more of the rules and saw more.

As they progress they can see more but now know what should be called and when.

[BrendanP]

I guess I don't really know where I want to go with it at this point. College football and I finalized our divorce this bowl season because of irreconcilable differences, so I don't know where exactly to go.

[RMR]

You don't have to "go" anywhere to have an enjoyable and rewarding career.

[BrendanP]

I know I've got all off-season to get it sorted out, but I'm thinking of taking a season off to deal with my bipolar issues. This isn't something I like to talk about publicly, but I guess I wouldn't be the first to call a timeout due to health reasons, so to speak.

[TampaSteve]

I think what perhaps what Brendan was indirectly saying was that after 3 yrs he has learned and in this 3rd yr he was able to settle down a bit AND in settling down he noticed more the nonsence (ticky-tack BS) that sometimes comes with a game.

If that is the case, Brendan, yes, it's a pain in the rear dealing with some of the nonsence and like an old beverage commercial, "some days are better than others."

[Sonofanump]

Not sure.  I think my post and others were deleted.

[Grant - AR]

Not sure.  I think my post and others were deleted.

It looks like it was probably lost in the maintenance.  There have been no deleted posts (unless you deleted it yourself) since the maintenance.  Please repost it if you would like.

[VALJ]

I think what perhaps what Brendan was indirectly saying was that after 3 yrs he has learned and in this 3rd yr he was able to settle down a bit AND in settling down he noticed more the nonsence (ticky-tack HORSE HOCKEY) that sometimes comes with a game.

If that is the case, Brendan, yes, it's a pain in the rear dealing with some of the nonsence and like an old beverage commercial, "some days are better than others."

And if that's the case... move to B, like I have.