Psychologist prepares ANFA Chillán referees to manage stress – La Discusión 2024-05-01 16:45:43

Chillán’s amateur soccer referees have been the target of criticism and even violence for years.

To change this reality, ANFA Chillán implemented a technical training course for local judges, financed by the Regional Government, but added a fundamental and unprecedented aspect: psychological training.

Álvaro Vera, clinical psychologist, specialist in psychotherapy, began a workshop on Tuesday night, at the headquarters of the local football governing body, that seeks to provide practical tools and techniques on different topics such as: self-control, stress management, conflict resolution and leaderships.

“Awareness was raised regarding the role of the referee in the dynamics of the game and the psychological profile that a referee must have, paying special attention to the attention, memory and concentration that a judge must have, applying a theoretical-practical methodology, with exercises and group analysis, to achieve good practices. “Based on stress management through ‘mindfulness’, group management techniques and game dynamics based on neuroscience and social psychology,” details Vera.

The professional stressed that they will work on the leadership of the referees as “a fundamental factor in the dynamics of the game. The idea is to give them practical tools for managing self-control in stressful situations. We want to work with the different levels of amateur football, raise awareness about this issue to remove violence from the fields and mainly, so that children can enjoy a healthy space, sports, games, interaction, social and family life.”

For all

Vera applauded the initiative of the Chillán Amateur Football Association, led by helmsman Carlos San Martín, because it understands the role and fundamental relevance of the referee as the protagonist of the emotional climate of the game dynamics. So that they can control their own emotional state as leaders within the field within the framework of leadership theory. The idea is to be able to continue working with the various actors in amateur football to eradicate violence from the fields so that children can enjoy the game and a healthy life.”

The clinical psychologist revealed that the reception of the referees with directing experience and others who will debut this season was “good, because they value being given practical tools to resolve conflictive situations that can generate a hostile or violent climate, considering the physiological variables. , physical, psychological and those of the environment, so that they are not influenced by them.”

The second session will be today, Thursday, in which Vera will address with her students the tools to enhance attention, memory, self-control and concentration, fundamental aspects of the psychological profile that a referee must have to direct a match.