How to Create Home Court Advantage at Basketball Games

No matter what sport you play, there is talk of home field advantage. Some studies have shown there is at least some scientific truth to this as the home team does seem to do better than the visiting team. There are many ways teams can use this psychological effect to their advantage.

Instructions

    • 1

      Decorate the stadium in the home team's colors. This can be a distraction to the visiting team as it is a color system to which they are not accustomed. There have been studies that show teams that play in dominant colors, such as red, tend to win more competitions.

    • 2

      Cheer loudly when your team is doing well. This gives your players a psychological boost and encourages them to play well.

    • 3

      Encourage the home team players when a mistake is made. This can stop their heads dropping when things are not going their way.

    • 4

      Jeering at opposing players might be seen as unsporting but can have a negative effect on their game. This is especially true if the away team has a free throw. It also makes it more difficult for them to hear the plays being called out.

    • 5

      Make the dressing room layout unique to your stadium. The visiting players will not be accustomed to their surroundings and anything that can be done to upset pre-game routines helps the home team.

    • 6

      Get the away team to stay in a hotel. This puts them in unfamiliar surroundings and away from family.

    • 7

      Create unique conditions on the court. Some might say the Boston Celtics in went 40-1 in 1985-86 due in part to the parquet floor at Boston Garden.

    • 8

      Situate the away fans as far from the court as possible to remove the visitors' support from their team's eyeline. The home fans outnumber them anyway, and this gives you some more advantage.