Body Language and You

How to present yourself in a conscious manner, as well as use subtle clues from

players to gauge a situation

SE Regional Summer Judge Conference 2014

Overview

This seminar aims to present some basic psychological approaches to how one can utilize and read body language cues.

Along these lines there will be some example scenarios of various types of judge calls, and a discussion of the body and how it pertains to you as a judge.

OverviewFor all of these the focus will be on how to present yourself and how to interpret cues from the players.

Following that is a brief description of specific areas of the body and what cues may be exhibited and what we may glean from them. Torso Arms Legs

The goal is to educate judges on mannerisms and techniques to display confidence as well as to be able to more thoroughly investigate calls.

Example HJ announcement from Hanukkah

play video/or enact a HJ announcement-discuss what could be improved

-intentionally pace, take long pauses, read from notes, Holding breath, VERY Formal and speaking from chest.

Alternatively I can enact this stuff with the introduction.

Approaching a Judge Call on the Floor

We start here with an example of a judge taking a call.

have two players set up a mock game, and

when one of them calls for a judge, a volunteer who has been told some pointers for a “bad” call takes it

The Bad Call

● Approach from the player who did not call judge

● Stand close to and overtop of the table● Address the players very shortly and curtly

(yeah?)● Any other notes?● Have the audience point out everything that

could be improved here

The Good Call

● Approach the table from the player who called judge

● Lower to table level● Make a nice courteous introduction

o How can I help?

The Argument

Set up the same example call, but this time the players are talking over each other, and don’t want to let either speak to the judge.● This is a great opportunity for discussion

o hopefully some will have more ideas here to learn from

● Have a volunteer come in and take this call● have the audience discuss what was done well and

what wasn’t

The Argument

● how do you handle this, and how does body language help?● turn to the player you wish to speak

o I will often “calm” the other player with a hand motiono if a call escalates while you are at “ground level” stand up

this immediately tips the balance of perceived power back to you this is due to the psychological effect of having to look up at someone who is in a position of authority.

The Call Away from the Table

-If a player asks to step away from the table, how do you do this? ● make sure you face the table● be sure you move far enough or are quiet enough that

no information is given away● also be aware of your own responses so you don’t give

away strategic info

Let’s move to some body language tricks and points we can use as Judges on the Floor

Body Language on the Floor

● When walking around observing matches, how do you stand? Have an example from the audience here.o shoulders back, confident stride, etc etc

● When watching players drafting, where do you look? Again, example as if there was a draft here.o call for answers from audienceo eyes should be the main focus

● how does your position affect the players?● they will know you are right behind them● so you should be observing everyone without being obvious, just watch

eyes.

Torso

Walking and sitting with a straight back and your shoulders back is a sign of confidence. ● This can be a useful way to walk a floor, as it

will be just another thing that subconsciously instills confidence in you rulings

● Example of both good and bad with why it helps when approaching a call

Some minor pointers

● thumbs pointing forward in pockets● Hands on hips● avoid the “regal” pose● when talking with a player square your feet

and torso to them - this is a sign you are paying attention and are committed

● just cover a few stances and how that looks

Arms

When standing, don’t cross your arms unless you are trying to be intimidating.Explain the difference in how your musculature appears.

Example hereUsing crossed arms is a tool, but don’t do it if you are just walking the floor.

Feet and Legs - Judges

When walking, walk with a purposeful stride and don’t sulk. This is another subtle confidence expression.

Don’t run!

End of Round - combining this● It’s end of round, and your HJ/Team Lead says “go get me that slip!” how

do you dothis? (Example)

● Let’s have the audience sort out the good and bad here...● this is a good time to be slightly intimidating. Just showing up and

saying “hi” then sitting down… not so useful.● Make note of direction to SK and point one foot that direction● Arms folded, slightly looming

o you want to make your presence definitely felt, but not overwhelmingly so

End of Round - combining this

● Now don’t take this too far, as you can inadvertently make players nervous which can slow them down… it’s a balance you need to be aware of for every table.

● Also of note, this is a personal choice scenario, you don’t have to be intimidating, but it is a tool you may use.

Moving into a very little bit of psychology of body language - Looking at the Players

We will now discuss a little bit about “tells” and subtly cues we can both be aware of for ourselves as well as use during player interactions.

Head and Face

This is obviously the part of a player you will be observing directly the most when dealing with a judge call, so PAY ATTENTION to what their expressions may be telling you.

Head and FacePsychologists use a term called “microexpressions” to describe tinymovements of face muscles that will often betray a true feeling that is otherwise being masked.

For instance, when you experince fear, your face often forms a small grimace that may not even be broadly noticeable, but if you look, you can see small tugs of the muscles around the mouth and eyes, and particularly a slight raise to the eyebrows.

This same expression often occurs when we lie. I’m not saying you should use this alone to assess guilt, as it may be simply fear during a call, but don’t overlook information a player is giving you, even if it is subconciously.

Eyes

Try to avoid staring into a players eyes for too long, as this can make people nervous. Luckily, you have plenty of other things you should be looking at, so just make sure to break eye contact to look at the board state so you don’t intimidate a player accidentally.

Also, and this should be obvious, but avoid rolling your eyes even subtly as this is clearly antagonistic. Even if you know a player if lying to you.

Arms/Hands from the player

When observing a player, nervousness is often expressed by fidgeting hands.

Now many of these tells also may occur simply because a judge is there, so don’t read too much into it, just be aware of how you can gauge mindset of players before they even speak.

Arms/Hands from the player

Nervous twitches:This is VERY common. For instance, I often flip my

phone, or flip a pen while nervous and/or bored.

The nice thing about this one is that these shaking/twitch tells are amplified by items in someone’s hands. Since players will often have pens and/or cards in hand… just look.

Feet and Legs - Players

This isn’t that much of a thing since players will be sitting down, but toe-tapping and or leg shaking is a sign of impatience and/or anxiety.

Another thing that may be useful in investigations, but that is less relevant for normal interaction - the “secured” seat: holding the arms of the chair, and wrapping legs around the chair legs.

Conclusions and take-away thoughts

Be aware of what your body is telling players at your events.

Be aware, conversely, of what they may be telling you before they even explain anything about the game.

The non ideal callPlayers - simply play a turn or two: draw cards, play land, etc, then have player A call JUDGE!

Judge - Approach from the player who did not call judge

Stand close to and overtop of the table

Address the players very shortly and curtly (yeah?)

The Better CallPlayers - simply play a turn or two: draw cards, play land, etc, then have player A call JUDGE!

Judge - Basically just take the call as at an event - opposite of above

Judge calls: Scripts

The ArgumentPlayers - simply play a turn or two: draw cards, play land, etc, then have player A call JUDGE!

At this point, when the judge walks over,

Player A: hey, so he just tried to cast Doom Blade on my Black KnightPlayer B: No I didn’t, I cast it on his Serra Angel!Player A: No, you clearly pointed at the Knight!

At this point please begin talking over one another and pointing back and forth at the cards, getting heated as you go. Make this a quick escalation as we don’t really need to spend a ton of time here.

Judge - I will often “calm” the other player with a hand motionAs the call escalates while you are at “ground level” stand up Anything else you might normally do in this case

The Call away from the tablePlayers - simply play a turn or two: draw cards, play land, etc, then have player A call JUDGE!

At this point, when the judge walks over, explain you’d like to ask a question away from the table,

then follow me

Judge calls: Scripts