Lacrosse people really are the best

I'm not looking to doxx myself, so I won't go into too much detail, but as I've posted about before, I'm a new referee. I did a handful of youth games in the fall and just did my first HS games this week. I did 3 games in 3 days: one varsity and two JV, the latter of which I had no partner for.

Trial. By. Fire.

On the third game, the assignor and I were transparent with the coaches about me being new and alone. I was nervous as hell going into it. Like most new referees, I was very timid with my flag in the first two games, using my partner as a crutch. Didn't have that option for game three: either I call it or it doesn't get called. Once I got into my pregame routine, though, all the nerves just evaporated, and I felt completely settled The whole time. I was worried that I would stumble on the hand signals, but didn't, and when I had a couple bouts of direction dyslexia (when you say one color and long the wrong direction), and everyone from the benches and the fans called out (not derogatorily in my estimation) "wrong direction" I would loudly acknowledge it with a "yep, you're right, thank you", give them a thumbs up, and fix the signal.

The coaches and players were all awesome. They rolled with the challenges that having a solo ref creates, and they were great about not chirping at me when I messed some things up.

Everyone was very supportive and respectful, and just reinforced my opinion (as a lacrosse, soccer and baseball parent, and a lacrosse and soccer referee) that lacrosse people really are the best.

So thanks, lacrosse people, keep up the good work!