SECAUCUS — NBA referees have reportedly introduced a new offseason training exercise designed to simulate one of the league’s most common game situations: everyone screaming at the official at once.
During the drill, referees make a judgment call while 12 participants immediately surround them and perform realistic reactions.
These include pointing at the video board, miming contact, clapping sarcastically and repeatedly saying, “That’s unbelievable.”
Officials are graded on composure.
Extra credit is awarded for maintaining eye contact with absolutely nobody.
A second drill simulates a coach sprinting down the sideline while an assistant physically restrains him despite the coach clearly having no intention of actually reaching anyone.
The league says the program better prepares officials for real-game environments.
Veteran referees called it unnecessary.
“We already practice this 82 nights a year.”
