Trash talking is common in all sports, but doesn't necessarily have to be viewed as negative. Many athletes use jibes as a way to disorient an opponent, and nothing more. While the language might be seen by outsiders as malicious and derogatory, true athletes argue that chirping is part of the game. Hockey players are no different, and chirping takes place between athletes and the referees as part of the game.
Step 1
Wait for the opportune time. Running your mouth for the sake of talking is annoying, and gets old fast. You are better served to wait for important points in the game.
Step 2
Develop a knowledge of your opponent's tendencies. Pointing out a weak area or lack of certain skills can make the opposing player focus on his weakness and cause problems for himself elsewhere in his game.
Step 3
Know how your teammates respond to you taking verbal shots at your opponents. Sometimes, chirping can be positive and encouraging for your own team, which gets under the skin of the opposition.
Step 4
Leave out personal information. The best chirping is intelligent trash talking. Insulting family members is out of line and grounds for a misconduct penalty at many levels.
Step 5
Chirp at an opponent when he is down, but be careful not to gloat or be arrogant. Sometimes this has the reverse effect and can inspire the opposition.
Step 6
Poke fun at the opponent's lack of talent, mistakes, appearance or idiosyncrasies. Try to be as creative as possible and get inside his head with quick, witty one-liners.
Step 7
Criticize the referee for bad calls and poor whistles. Hockey referees are more lenient than officials in other sports, and most often will allow players to say their piece -- as part of the game -- without fear of reprimand.
Tips and Warnings
- Short and sweet is much better than long and drawn out. You do not want to lose focus of your ultimate goal, which is winning the hockey game.
- Racial and sexual slurs are off-limits and are grounds for misconduct penalties and disqualification in many hockey leagues.
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