Iowa coach Lisa Bluder reveals why she sometimes gives Caitlin Clark technical fouls in practice

One of the tough things about being a superstar like Caitlin Clark is that you get officiated just a bit different.

Maybe the refs don’t call every hack against you or maybe that charge was absolutely a block. It happens at all levels in every sport and when you have the ball in your hands as much as Clark does, officiating comes into play quite a lot.

Even in practice, calling fouls on Clark can be a challenge. Fortunately, Iowa’s Lisa Bluder has a solution. If the refs won’t keep Clark in check, the head coach will call technical fouls from the bench.

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder says sometimes she has to call technical fouls on Caitlin Clark in practice.

"That hasn't happened in a while." – @CaitlinClark22 pic.twitter.com/Gf6FAWfdOf

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) March 29, 2024

Clark was quick to respond that it her coach hasn’t had to do that in awhile, but the smiles from her teammates indicate each time was pretty memorable. Iowa also uses their student managers as refs during practice and, well, the Hawkeyes staff — in the players’ own words —are not good refs.

Fortunately Bluder is there to make sure Clark isn’t getting too much special treatment.