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(dictionary.com)
heck·le (h k  l)
v. tr. heck·led, heck·ling,
heck·les.
1.To try to embarrass and annoy (another) by questions, gibes, or objections;
badger.
To heckle or not
to heckle? Those are the two questions one asks oneself when attending
sporting events. The purpose of a "Fan" is to support ones team in
victory and/or defeat. The "Fan" also provides an advantage when
dealing with an opposing team. Heckling is an art form that is learned
through practice and repetition. An ordinary person can shout and
yell "You Suck!" It takes effort to produce a quality heckle that
can be effective.
The purpose of
a "Heckle" is to allow the opposition to think and dwell over a comment.
The key is to take their mind off their task. Every second that they
take thinking about a heckle, is one less second they are not paying attention.
How do you prepare for such a goal? |
There are steps to follow
when preparing a heckle.
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Know your opponent. It's important
to know who you are going to heckle.
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Research. Many teams have media
guides which can contain essential information. Birthdays, hometowns,
hobbies and more can be found. With the internet, a wealth of information
is at your fingertips. Fans of an opponent may have a website with
information. Teams and schools have websites as well. Use search
engines to seek out lesser publicized sites. Knowledge is power.
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History 101. Has the opponent
played your team before? Are there certain players who have been
to your venue in the past? Learn what was effective in the past visit.
Also study up on players that have played at other venues. Did they
use something that was effective or ineffective? News media in the
opponents towns have archived information you can search on the internet.
Read up on any stories they may have been invovled in.
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Be creative. Creativity is a
big factor in an effective heckle. The goal is to use the information
gathered and making it stick out in the opponents head. It will effect
them more when they least expect it. It will also stand out more
than the widley used jeers.
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Now that you have
prepared yourself in the essentials, it is time to put that knowledge to
work. The most common ways to use your information are:
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Posters
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Jeers in unison
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Timed-Heckle
Posters are
effective because it allows a wider audience to view a heckle. The
posters in use have to be concise and to the point. The message you
want to convey is important, so try and not to clutter the board with small
letters. Make the letters bold and large.
Jeers in unison
is effective in a way that everyone can participate. For example,
the jeer "Airball" is used when a player misses a basket completely
in basketball. When heard, that player will try and make up for his
mistake. If the player misses his shots thereafter, the jeer
is continued. The jeer is used everytime that player touches the
ball. Once a shot has been made by the player, most of the time,
the jeer ceases.
The Timed-Heckle
can be used at any time during the game. One must feel out the atmosphere
before letting out a heckle. If you heckle at a time others are loud,
then it will fall upon deaf ears. You must wait for a proper time
when the volume of noise is at a level one can hear a loud shout.
By using the information gathered before the game, select a tidbit to use.
When a player is in earshot of a comment, loudly shout and enunciciate
the heckle. If performed correctly, you may encounter a double take
from a player, reaction from those around you, or no response at all.
No two reactions are the same.
It's important
to take note that vulgarity and obscene gestures have no place in a heckle.
In most sporting events, families and children may be in ear shot.
The object of heckling is not to rag a player, it is to effect their performance.
Heckling is meant to be in good fun, not a demeaning put down. |
| It's hard to determine
if a heckle was effective. But here are some signs that they may
have take their toll.
Is the opponent displaying any of the symptoms:
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Staring a hole though you
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Smiling or smirking
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Ignoring you everytime they pass you
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Speaking in your general direction during
the game
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The coach taking the player out of the game
for poor playing performance
These are only a
few signs. But sometimes it backfires and the opponent may compete
better under pressure. You may want to layoff and ignore the player,
or use reverse heckling by becoming sarcastic. Encourage and cheer
for a player where they may question the purpose of the new found respect.
It takes practice
and time to develop a niche. Once you get the hang of it though,
heckling can be an enjoyable part of the game. Happy Heckling! |
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