MIES (Switzerland) - In January, the Pre-Competition Programme (PCP) officially kicked off for referees preparing for the Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournaments (WWCQT) 2026. While the referees are busy with daily physical training and video analysis, a major part of their work is happening off the court: preparing their minds for the pressure of the big stage.

Dubravka Martinovic, a Sport Psychologist from Croatia, is leading these mental preparation sessions. Her goal is to make sure the referees work together as a solid team rather than just as individuals.

"Preparation for Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournaments will focus on building strong teamwork through online sessions with group-oriented tasks," Martinovic explains. "This helps the referees better understand one another and prepare as a team for specific game situations."

To support this, the referees are using several tools to stay ready. Online group activities are designed to help referees solve problems together and improve their responses during a game. They are using visualization exercises to imagine different scenarios and to know how to handle them effectively. A set of video tutorials is also available, offering practical tips and exercises to improve performance and tactical awareness.

By combining this mental coaching with their physical workouts and video study, the referees are ensuring they are ready to handle any situation that comes their way once the tournaments begin.

FIBA