Mental Aspects of Officiating

Mental Aspects RESPONSE TIME consistency in timing of call is most important sudden changes in signals or timing indicate something is wrong tendency is to establish a rhythm based on events with greatest frequency result is a rhythm that is inappropriate for less obvious events quick calls become questionable slow calls are unconvincing better officials allow the uncertain events to establish the rhythm of response allows for greater consistency in response time

Mental Aspects OFFICIATING SLUMPS officials can have slumps just like players self-doubt becomes more prevalent and confidence is questionable not easy to get up for every game impossible to permanently avoid, best to minimize duration and severity revitalization break or a “big game” are effective ways to break out

Mental Aspects PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS Imagery-- the skill of re-creating in your mind the experiences you have had or the experiences you would like to have having the ability to control your images to make them do what you want imagery cannot replace conditioning and physical practice Attributions--the need to explain why we succeed or fail to ourselves Internal-- “I have ability” or “I have put forth effort” External-- “That was a lucky call” or “My partner wasn’t very good” Attributions are better when they are internal and the official accepts responsibility External Attributions adversely effects self-confidence.

Mental Aspects SUCCESSFUL OFFICIATING concentration and focus on the events that are occurring identifying the important calls of the game and reacting accordingly ability to anticipate the sequence of events as they are likely to occur recognize the different potential range of events that occur at different levels the ability to wait for everything that might happen to happen, then react judge an event not on its occurrence, but on its relevance allow the uncertain events to establish the rhythm of response a certain amount of arrogance, but not overconfident overconfidence leads to mistakes takes away pre-game anxiety a mild case of pre-game jitters promotes preparedness and psyches you up