On almost every team you play, there is one player that you know as the ultimate punk. You would love nothing more than to throw them down and take them out. All they do the whole game is run their mouth and throw elbows when the referee isn’t looking. Though it would be nice to hit them in their mouth, there is a much better way of dealing with this fool and not let him get the best of you. The following tips will help you make it through the game looking like the better person by keeping your cool.
Don’t take the bait. The main reason the punk is acting this way is to get you mad so that you will react to his probing. If you start running your mouth back at him, you’ll look just as bad as the other player does, and you no longer have the upper hand in the situation.
Laugh and smile. Instead of giving him/her the pleasure of getting you upset, do the opposite. Laugh at him/her when they run their mouth and smile when they push you. Let them know that you think they’re an idiot without actually saying so.
Be dramatic. When this person does push you or blatantly foul you when the refs aren’t looking, fall forward a little more than needed or maybe make a noise when they dig their elbow into your ribs. Sooner or later, a ref will catch the action, and you’ll be rewarded.
Have your best game. Nothing will make them shut their mouths quicker than to have a high- scoring game or to pin them before time’s up. In the end, he may have won the battle, but you won the war.