Using Adversity
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Loading ...You already know where I stand on spirit; I’m not the sort to get involved in pissing matches over calls, or get caught up in the ticky-tack. I state my case and move on–I show up to play, not to talk.
Even so, I love it when I’m slighted on the ultimate field.
When you push me, challenge me, you set an emotional charge. I get some indignance (“how dare you disrespect me!”), but that emotion doesn’t have to manifest in anger, nor need it be wasted on words.
I keep my calm and wait, for the disc to go live again, for my next chance to play.
Emotion is volatile, and when left unchecked, can cloud your judgment and screw with execution–it makes you tight. However, when channeled in the right ways, it borders on unbeatable.
When we’re back at it on the field, I take that slight–this new, extra energy source you’ve so graciously given me–and proceed to run you into the ground with it. Hacking at me on the mark? I’ll throw and run so quickly you won’t get another chance. Really think you had the D on that strip? You won’t even be close next time. Gonna argue about up/down calls? The D I’m about to get will be definitive.
Michael Jordan’s intensely competitive nature manifested in all facets of his life; on the basketball court, this meant that even cheaters couldn’t prosper–try to force your way with him, making some hacks while the ref wasn’t looking, and his desire and effort would redouble–with you at ground zero. His emotions let him tap into an inner reserve, bettering his better. He wouldn’t just beat you. He would destroy you, crush your will with his overwhelming energy and talent, and you wouldn’t be able to do a thing to stop it.
That’s the mindset to take to heated exchanges and tense situations. And it’s not just for when that jerk on the other team starts spouting off–anything beyond your control on the ultimate field can be your trigger. Your body has hardwiring to exceed its day-to-day limits; you simply need to find situations powerful enough to spark your inner superman. Your buddy just bonked an easy catch? In a tight game, the need to help him can be enough–time to pick him up with some balls-to-the-wall D. Flip that kill mode switch when your team needs you, make something happen. Force your opponent to fight for every inch he gets; even if he succeeds despite you, leave him worried about the next time. And the next time. And the next time.
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The corollary is: when you are in the lead against a team, and you have them where you want them (maybe they are quiet, or have their heads down), don’t aggravate them. Bringing emotion into a contested call can fire them up, and may not be worth the effort of insisting that a foul was legit, if it will be contested either way.
So true Mackey! Reading your post makes me look forward to getting hacked or cheated in the next tournament.
I never understood the call “not a thrower.” I had it called on me after I got fouled twice going for a dump. So I turned and threw a 30-yard flick huck upwind. I think this is related to http://mmackey.blogspot.com/2008/11/talk-in-positives.html .
Why piss the other team off and give them an emotional reason to win when you can exhort your own team with positive motivation? “Tight mark!” and “No dump!” are just as effective at communicating what you want to say, give a goal for your teammate to focus on and don’t anger the other team.
Some teams live on aggression and are more beatable if you don’t let them get fired up. Others live on calmness and will fall apart if you get them angry.
I’ve played on both; the best teams are clearly in between the extremes.
I cleary remember the frist time this happened to me on the field. I usually lose my cool at some point during a game, and when I was fouled, fairl hard, on a deep huck it seemed to be the perfect time for me to lose my cool, especially when he strongly contested my foul call. For some reason, a thought entered my head that was fairly unusual for me, and empowering. My thought was, “The next time I go deep, you won’t even be close enough to foul me.”