How to Trash Talk

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 31, 2021 References

Talking trash can be a fun way to engage with your opponents in a competitive setting, most commonly individual or team sports, or online when playing games. Trash talk helps intimidate opponents who may seem otherwise unshakable. It’s also a great way to build up your own confidence when competing, and to build up team spirit if you’re competing with a group of individuals. Trash talk should be funny, lighthearted, and not cause permanent offense or ruin friendships.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Deciding How to Trash Talk

1
Identify the situation. If you are only joking around with your friends on the soccer field, meaningless jokes are an effective way to go. Keep it informal and light. On the opposite end of the trash-talk spectrum, if you are engaged in a competitive sporting event against people you don’t know, you may need to focus more on serious boasts and downplay the humor.
- For a meaningless joke, tell a friend that they’re like a bundle of firewood, “because they’re always getting burned.”^{[1]
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- For a more serious boast, say, “Should I give you my autograph now, or later?”^{[2]
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2
Read the crowd. Whether you’re competing online or in person, you need to “read the room” and determine if trash talking is an appropriate tactic. If the other players seem to be focused on projecting respect and sportsmanship, your trash talk may be seen as rude.
- The same rule applies in online forums—if other participants enjoy trash talk or are already engaging in it, go ahead and join in. If the crowd is more conservative and prefers a quieter atmosphere, you should avoid bothering competitors with your trash talking.
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3
Know the sporting environment. Some sports, such as boxing and wrestling, are aggressive, in-your-face competitions. These environments encourage trash talk, as it increases the entertainment for spectators and allows the fighters to get under one another’s skin. Other sports, like tennis or baseball, are seen are more “gentlemanly,” and discourage trash talk.^{[3]
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- Even online, some competitive games are more appropriate forums for trash talking. (Call of Duty and similar games are infamous examples.) Until you’re familiar with the gaming community, avoid stepping in with aggressive trash talk.
- Also if you’re playing a light-hearted video game with family, avoid trash talk. For example, if you’re playing Wii Sports with a young nephew or your grandmother, do not trash talk.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Getting Inside Your Opponent’s Head

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Boast about your skills. Typically, trash talking involves boasting about your own excellence in whatever competitive event you’re engaged in. Be creative and make up boasts—whether funny or serious—about your skill.^{[4]
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- Say something like, “You’re already yesterday’s news.”^{[5]
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- Be prepared to back up your words with actions. If you’re playing basketball and claim to be able to make a shot from half court, you’ll need to prove that you can make the shot.
- Don’t be immature or boast about skills you don’t have. For example, young teens are notorious for filling online gaming forums with juvenile humor and over-the-top boasts. To effectively talk trash, avoid these techniques.
2
Insult your opponents. This is often done in a light-hearted way, or in a clever manner than uses jokes and creative criticism. You can use intimidation to make your opponent doubt their own skill at a game, or sufficiently distract them with your trash talk so they can no longer focus on the competition.^{[6]
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Research source} For example, if you’re playing a competitive game of golf, try saying:
- “I’ve seen better swings at my kid’s school playground.”^{[7]
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- If your opponent hits their ball into water, say, “Want me to hold your shoes and socks?”
3
Use humor to your advantage. Successful trash talk often builds off of a funny premise.^{[8]
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Research source} Humor can also be used to distract your opponents (no one plays well when they’re laughing) or to build up the comradery of your own team.
- A quick-witted insult can surprise your opponent and leave them stunned.
- Say something like, “If you ever even dream of beating me, you’d better wake up and apologize.”^{[9]
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Know when trash talk isn’t working. If you feel that your trash talking is ineffective, it’s probably a good idea to stop. If you continue trash talking, you may start to look desperate or give the impression that you’re more skilled at running your mouth than at winning competitions.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Building Up Your Own Self-Confidence

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Build yourself up. An important part of trash talking is to build up your own confidence. Successful trash talking can make you feel more aggressive, which often translates into better playing.^{[10]
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- For example, tell your opponent what you’re going to do before you do it. Say something like, “I’m going to dribble twice, then make a three-pointer over your head,” and then do it.^{[11]
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- If you’re competing on a team, trash talk will motivate your team members to join in and step up their game, as well.
2
Keep the pressure on your opponent. You will play better and be under less pressure if you can trash talk and taunt your opponent. Keeping the trash talk focused on the competition will keep you from feeling self-conscious about your performance.^{[12]
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- You can do this by drawing attention to your success and your opponent’s failure. Highlighting things you do well and your competition does poorly will increase your self-esteem in the game, and you can intimidate your opponent into thinking that they don’t have a chance of winning against you.
3
Don’t let your sportsmanship suffer. Although losing a competitive event is never fun, you should still show dignity and sportsmanship by losing without complaining or criticizing your opponents.
- There is a difference between trash talking and poor sportsmanship; a good trash-talker can still admit when an opponent out-performed them.
- You can also show that you’re a good sport by lightly mocking yourself if you’re not playing well. A little self-directed trash talk will make everyone laugh and show them you’re not taking the game too seriously.
4
Anticipate trash talk directed towards you. Once you’ve made it clear that you’re willing to engage in trash talk, and start trashing your opponents, you should expect your opponents to trash talk you as well.^{[13]
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- Don’t let this get into your head; stay focused on the game or event, and ignore your opponents’ trash talk.
- You may be able to turn the trash talk around; if an opponent trash talks you, a sarcastic reply can give you the advantage. For example, if an opponent is boasting, reply with: “Don’t be humble; you’re not that good.”^{[14]
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Community Q&A

Question

What if they say I'm ugly?

Community Answer

If someone tells you that you are ugly, simply say "Yeah, we have something in common," because it will show them that you're not offended and that they have no power over you. And you're also calling them ugly right back.
Question

What if they say something that is really hurtful? How can I keep from crying?

Community Answer

Think of something different, happier to get your mind off of crying. You could also come up with a exit strategy to get out of there before you start crying.
Question

What if the guys give me grief for being overweight or small?

Community Answer

You can't do anything about your genes. If kids poke fun at you for your size, it's a reflection of the smallness of their thinking. You can let them know that you'd rather have a small body than a small mind.

Warnings

Avoid making intentionally hurtful statements. Although saying mean-spirited or offensive comments can rattle your opponent, causing someone emotional harm should never be your goal.

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Although trash talk is meant to be cutting and often funny, it’s never an excuse to say things that are racist, homophobic, or sexist. If you catch another player making these kinds of comments, ask them to stop and let them know that type of trash-talk isn’t appreciated.

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If you trash-talk excessively, people may get tired of playing with you. Balance your trash talk, so that both you and your opponents still enjoy competing against each other.

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