You can bring your whistle and you can bring your flag, but if you
don’t bring your guts you might as well stay home. – Kelly Nutt,
professional NBA official
Rarely are basketball officials recognized
for doing a good job on the court. Yet, they are almost always criticized by
coaches, fans, and the media for missing a call. An official’s job can be very
stressful; the ups and downs of the game can create a high level of anxiety. How
each official copes with the ups and downs of the game can have a profound
impact on their performance on the court.
In the book Psychology of Officiating by Robert A. Weinberg and
Peggy A. Richardson, an official’s ability to control his physical anxiety is
recognized as a major factor in his/her success on the court.
During a game, an official may experience
an increased arousal level in response to physical anxiety such as increased
heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, and respiration. As an official, we must find a way to cope
with these increased arousal levels.
“One of the easiest and most effective ways to
control anxiety and tension is through proper breathing.” By inhaling slowly
and deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth in a relaxed
manner you should feel the tensions of the muscles relax and feel calmer.
Weinberg & Richardson (1990) explain that the entire exhale phase should
last about 7 seconds. “The slow, deliberative inhalation-exhalation sequence is
one of the best ways to maintain composure and control over anxiety through the
course of the game” (Weinberg & Richardson).
For example, my first playoff
game as an official made me a little nervous. I was scared I was going to mess
up a call, or just wasn’t going to have a good game. To relax, I took a lot of
time talking to myself and taking deep breaths while the teams warmed up.
Breathing deeply helped me relax and stay focused. Being able to relax during
an intense game gives an official the ability to call a great game. Even if we aren’t
recognized for a great game, it’s still our job to have the best game possible
and being relaxed helps!
Sports officials are an essential part of every athletic event. They are in charge of maintaining an unbiased and fair game for both teams. All the emotions that games can create also affect and are very stressful on officials, especially if the game in hand is a playoff game or championship. This is why it is very important that officials stay strong and calm throughout the entire game. They must understand that they are the judge and “policemen” during the sport event, and coaches as well as players will accept whatever decision is made. It is up to the officials to establish that they are in control from the very beginning of the match. Diaphragmatic breathing is a great way to decrease tension and anxiety, but make sure to do it before the game starts; no one wants to see a “weak” or anxious official.
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