Interesting technique

[davidw]

Just happened to run across this at another site and was wondering if this had ever been posted and discussed here. If it has, apologies for the duplicity.



"Subject: Re: Puzzled about basketball fouls
From: jhp24-ga on 14 Jun 2002 06:34 PDT
Interesting to note former Knicks' coach Jeff Van Gundy's technique
during the NBA playoffs a couple of years back. He often had his
players play extremely rough towards the beginning of the game,
sensitizing the officials to a very rough nature of play. As the game
progressed, he basically manipulated the officials by toning down the
physicality a bunch of notches (but still was physical enough that in
a normal game, the officials would call the violations). Therefore, in
the later stages when the game was on the line, the refs would not
call as much and the Knicks could get away with a lot. Actually this
strategy was very psychological in nature, presenting an excess
stimulus to sensitize the subject and then toning down the stimulus so
it is barely detected."

Questions:
1) Anyone have info that Van Gundy actually did that?
2) Anyone think they have seen anything remotely simliar near them?
3) Anyone think you might be affected in your calling a game where this technique was applied?
4) In general, how many of you think all, or any, of the "Psychological" techniques coaches attempt to use on us have any impact?
5) And lastly, what advice can you pass on, esp. to the newer officials, that allows you to keep your focus or re-focus and not be by such attempts?

David

[Edited by davidw on Feb 21st, 2005 at 06:19 PM]