Sitting home on Friday nights during basketball season isn't as much fun as I thought it might be. For several years, my brain had been telling me this is what I wanted – but my heart disagreed. A couple of calf muscles got together and settled the dispute about 10 games into this season. The debate is over for now, but it started me thinking more and more about when officials should start cutting back their schedules.

The physical demand is an easy barometer and possibly the one we ignore the most – at our own peril. It would have been nice had my brain and body talked it over before those muscles decided to jump ship. I admit, though, they had sent me a strongly-worded memo toward the end of football season.

Lesson #1: If you have pain BEFORE the game, you're working too much.

It doesn't seem that long ago that 250 basketball games was my normal season. OK, it was a long time ago. I'm sure most of us started that way. We've made this decision before, you know. We don't continue that grueling schedule because we can be more selective as we move up the ranks.

Lesson #2: Find what's comfortable for you.

Several years ago, I settled into a schedule of 60 to 80 hoops games. Add a busy work schedule, civic responsibilities, and those nagging thoughts of "I've had enough” come February .... Soon, 50 to 60 was the norm. I had found "the zone,” and the February blahs waned a bit.

An out-of-town job opportunity for my partner presented a chance to examine my situation and see if I could find a way to regain my passion for the game.

The result wasn't retirement: It was a respite. We already have a shortage of officials, so I couldn't quit. Instead, I dropped my varsity schedule. For the next leg of my career, I worked sub-varsity with many different partners and served as a floater when three-man crews were introduced to the varsity level in Wisconsin.

My main goal was to work with young officials, just like those who had been there for me when I was starting out. I was having fun again!

Lesson #3: Don't give up, give back!

Then it hit me. Free throw mechanics was a topic at one of our association meetings, and I learned that you count the 10 seconds with a wrist flick, not with your arm. It raised two questions.

Since when? And what the heck is a "wrist flick”? I pride myself on mechanics, so if I'd missed that change two seasons before, what else was I missing? I realized I was becoming one of those "old guys” who had stopped learning. So ....

Lesson #4: If you can't change with the game, you're shortchanging yourself, the athletes – and the game.

Still, after 40 to 45 football games in our short, nine-week season, plus spring and summer semi-pro football, I just couldn't get myself to dive into the basketball rulebook the way I should.

Adding small college to my repertoire last season gave me the kind of mental challenge I was seeking. That, and the rising popularity of three-man crews at the high school level, helped re-ignite the flame. Coming into this season, I was no longer satisfied with the meager schedule.

Lesson #5: Find the proper balance.

It wasn't the same as when my relationship with the” sport” of basketball-officiating first started, but my passion was coming back. I was studying mechanics, getting into the rulebook. Then ... "POP!”

As I write this, I've been sidelined for a month and may not make it back this season. I miss it, I really miss it. I guess
that's ....

Lesson #6: Absence does make the heart grow fonder!

What will next season bring? The only thing I'm certain of is that cutting back was the right thing to do, but retirement is still, I hope, many years away.

What about you?

By Doug Day

Doug is owner of DDay Media & PR in Two Rivers, WI. He has officiated football and basketball for nearly 30 years and has held several offices of the Manitowoc County Sports Officials Association, including four terms as president. Reach him here: dday@ddaypr.com