Sport Psych: Tip to Prevent Technical Fouls After Bad Referee Calls

Dick Moss, Editor, Physical Education Update.com

Officials aren't perfect and there will always be bad calls made by referees. However, it makes no sense for your players to compound a bad call by getting a technical foul, red card or player ejection.

Here's a trick the hotheads on your team can use to avoid getting "Teed up" after a bad call.

Find the Focus Point Trick
As part of your pre-game warm-up, have your players establish a focus point in the playing area. This could be a flag, colored brick, or a spot on a backboard.

During the game, if they encounter a bad call, their job is to look at the focus point before they react.

The time it takes them to find the spot provides them with a mini-timeout that will allow them to cool off and reflect before mouthing-off. It will help them avoid some of the instant, angry reactions that often leads to technical fouls.

Reference: " On Court Stress - Strategies to Mend." X's and O's c/o Basketball Australia, 2nd Quarter, Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2007. http://www.basketball.net.au

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