The New Year. It is new but is it happy? We are still going through it. Still modifying the playing court. I’m looking forward to the day that we can say normal. Whatever that looks like. If you made it to 2021…you are blessed.
If you started officiating during this COVID year you will come to realize the importance of communication. Supervisors are now strongly recommending that officials wear a mask at all times. This means during live play as you run up and down the court. With a mask on communication with your partners is even more important. You have to adopt an intentional way of communicating. This might mean being slower with your mechanics your signals and your pronunciation. I found myself taking pauses to communicate with my partners. I know people with hearing disabilities are looking at the world saying, “Now you know how I feel”. New beginnings. Be safe, adapt and wear a mask.
It’s uncomfortable and can take your breath away but Im surviving the season. Thats what my goal. Survive the season with the things I can control. Don’t put my goals in another persons hands. The mask is my way of protecting me in this historic season. I’ve heard some horror stories of officials testing positive and affected by contract tracing.
Communicating with masks on have become our new normal on the court. I wear a mask when I referee. I got used to running with them on. Whats great is it takes a lot of pressure off of the officiating and allows us to do our job. Our non verbal communication has to be clear. This is a reset to
