1 FOCUS AND AWARENESS Reading Body Language NIRSA Pre-Conference Charlotte, NC April 1, 2009 SANDRA SERAFINI – FIFA Referee, USSF National Instructor

2 AWARENESS Think all the time Be global with your vision and local with your calls Know where to look Know what to look for H. Silva

3 START THE GAME WITH AWARENESS Class Exercise #1 Name 3 visual cues to help you guess a player’s position or role during warm-ups

4 CONTINUE GAME AWARENESS Receiving the Message Class Exercise #2 Describe the body language that goes with: –A player at ease –A frustrated player –An angry player

5 Player at Ease Relaxed posture – shoulders and back Relaxed hands – at sides, open, relaxed palms Relaxed facial expression – smile, open view of surroundings

6 Frustrated player Moderate tension in posture, directed inwards – rounded shoulders, compact body language, looks “smaller” Moderate tension in arms and hands – palms turned inwards, hands on head or hips Facial expression – somewhat tense, facing away from people, eyes narrowed/closed

7 Angry Player Extreme tension in posture – shoulders back, chest out, straight spine, looks “bigger” Directed outwards towards other person (opponent, referee) Hands may form fists, elbows cocked Facial expressions are extreme – wide open eyes, extended/tense neck and facial muscles, gaze is focused on “enemy”

8 CONTINUE GAME AWARENESS Class Exercise #2 Continued Describe in one word the emotion you see:

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20 AWARENESS Think all the time Be global with your vision and local with your calls Know where to look Know what to look for H. Silva

21 How do YOU respond? What are your tools to deal with a frustrated player? An angry player? How do you keep a frustrated player from getting angry? Are you able to track the events that lead to frustration & anger? Can you intervene early to prevent an escalation?