Download Managing mistakes

Managing mistakes
Using self-control and concentration
Alan Richardson
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Managing mistakes
When watching a basketball game as an observer you are
probably the only person not watching the ball.
You observe the referees moving on the court, especially
their behaviour after making a mistake. Nothing tests an
official’s character more than making a clear mistake in
front of a large crowd.
It is important that Instructors/Referee mentors have
prepared officials with a recovery strategy to deal with
any negative thoughts after a mistake.
Alan Richardson
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Managing mistakes
Mistakes are part of the game and the learning process,
so preparation for dealing with them should be viewed
positively rather than negatively.
Everyone involved in the game makes mistakes, players,
coaches and officials.
Failure to teach officials how to manage mistakes leaves
them without the tools they need to maintain selfcontrol and prevent a decline in performance.
Players and coaches often receive technical fouls for
over reacting to officials’ mistakes.
Alan Richardson
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Managing mistakes
Instructor/mentors need to ensure that
officials are trained to deal with emotional
pressures in a very objective manner when
mistakes occur. It should be a professional
issue rather than a personal one.
Alan Richardson
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Managing anger
In a highly competitive and emotional game like
basketball, a certain amount of anger will always
be present.
Coaches and players often induce anger within
their opponents, which creates an emotional surge
which officials have to control.
Officials can NEVER allow themselves to become
angry, no matter what the provocation or the
pressures.
Alan Richardson
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Anger produces negative
effects
Loss of focus.
Loss of self-control – making mistakes.
Loss of concentration – remembering mistakes.
Loss of respect by participants.
Loss of friendship and enjoyment.
Alan Richardson
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Role of the
Instructor/Mentor
Instructors/mentors must understand that
officials need to maintain emotional control in
order to perform to their physical and
technical potential. Emotional readiness must
be regarded as part of every individual’s pregame preparation.
Alan Richardson
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Individual preparation
PERFORMANCE
Total readiness
Physical readiness
Mental readiness
Emotional readiness
Physical capacity
Mental capacity
Emotional capacity
Alan Richardson
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Preparing for
performance
Instructors/mentors must therefore plan
training that shapes and reinforces positive
thinking by officials, creating an emotional
state of readiness in order to begin the game
in a state of relaxed readiness.
Alan Richardson
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Guidelines for
instructors/mentors
Improve officials’
awareness of the
importance of being
ready to perform.
Understand that by
shaping the thinking of
officials, you will
influence their
emotional states.
When an official is not
performing, examine
the links between
state of mind,
emotions and energy
levels.
Give officials training
in techniques for selfcontrol.
Alan Richardson
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Guidelines continued……
Be patient with young,
inexperienced
officials.
Reinforce and reward
officials who
demonstrate the
intelligence to manage
themselves
emotionally.
Use video, self-talk
and other forms of
communication to
influence officials’
mental and emotional
states.
Prepare an emotional
game plan that reviews
an upcoming game.
Alan Richardson
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Guidelines continued ……
The game plan must
sensitise the officials
to likely flash points.
Be sensitive to the
nature and delivery of
any pre-game, halftime
or post game
comments during
training activities.
Encourage officials to
prepare for and
manage the game
environment in order
to minimise
distractions and
confrontations.
Trust and support the
officials on and off
the court.
Alan Richardson
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Summary
Instructors, mentors and officials must pay more
attention to developing emotional readiness for the game.
Self-control must be emphasized as a characteristic of
excellence. The emotional game plan must include steps to
achieve a confident state of mind that will lead to
positive emotional state and high concentration levels.
It is essential that officials are taught management of
mistakes and anger because they can destroy selfcontrol.
Alan Richardson
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