Officiating... is hell. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed what I've done just far, and I will always be willing to do it. I guess it takes a certain type of insanity to commit oneself to hell willingly like this.

Oh, I'm sure we've all heard the cliche terms before, "it's a thankless job", "everyone thinks you're corrupt", etc. It's not about that though.

It's about making the right call even when it feels like half the world is converging on you trying to get their way. When coaches, athletes and parents, all at the same time start screaming and shouting, well it's all you can do to continue to have that demeanor of professionalism. It's not easy, and no one ever said it is, but it needs to be done, and it is done rather well, at least from my point of view.

I've heard coaches tell their students "always thank the referee, it's something they should hear." This is heart warming, but I have one better. Tell the students, "Respect the referee with your actions, when you argue, keep your tone level, smile at him even. Don't question what he saw, simply his interpretation of it." In short, argue less, and when it is done, it is to be done respectfully.

But alas, this world is not a perfect one, and I can't expect this to be adopted on a regular basis, which means that instead I should learn to deal with these things as best I can, which means having more experience, so I can be more confident when I make this calls, so that when people converge on me, I can deflect them easier and just say "en garde, the touch stands". Or what have you.

Sometimes though I do wish there was a referee standing over my shoulder, whispering in my ear to let me know I made the right call. Until then, I will simply strive to make sure that I am both, the referee on the strip, and the referee that gives myself confidence.

But as I said, officiating is hell, a special kind of hell that many referees seem to enjoy, and I won't lie, I enjoy it also. It takes a certain dedication, respect, and commitment to the sport in order to do it, and for that, as a fencer I will respect the referee with my actions as well as my words.