Failure
To fail or to fail... that is the
question
I watched two teams lose today.
The first played against a team that was quickly and obviously their better. They had little hope of winning tonight. The proceeded to play poorly and without any true inspiration.
The second team was well matched and most probably better than the team they were playing. It is hard to say for sure because, in the parlance of the trade, they never "showed up". They came out flat and stayed flat. Energy level was more or less there but not the balls out effort for 40 minutes that they often display. Today it was a lack of mental toughness, yes i know its a cliche, or focus if you prefer. They fought and drew close at the end, but when the time ran out they were down by 7.
The question is, which is worse. To realize that you are "beaten" and fold - now not obviously just to stop doing the little things and putting out the effort rather than to tank entirely - or to fail to live up to your potential and let a worthy but lesser opponent best you.
Coaches will always tell you, and most of them - all the good ones - mean it, that if you enter a contest and put for your absolute best effort - leave it on the floor, give a 110%, empty the tank, pick your favorite - that they will be happy with and proud of your performance. I personally believe that. Maybe its because i have been saturated with sports and the attached attitude for too long, but there is no shame in losing to a better opponent provided you did your damdest to stop him.
Invariably however it is the athletes who BRING this up rather than have it told to them that should not be using it as solace. The all american who has just lost the last game of his senior year by the slimmest of margins and is crying his heart out with regret and shame for not having worked harder, yet does not have the strength to stand and leave the court. He is the one, not the freshman who didn't play all year.
The apparent voluntary nature of the first case makes it all the worse to me. Although the lack of understanding and will to prepare to come ready to compete is not exactly a saving grace, it can be remedied. It is, after all, in our failures that we have the most to learn from.
Then again they could just be college kids trying to play a game.
The first played against a team that was quickly and obviously their better. They had little hope of winning tonight. The proceeded to play poorly and without any true inspiration.
The second team was well matched and most probably better than the team they were playing. It is hard to say for sure because, in the parlance of the trade, they never "showed up". They came out flat and stayed flat. Energy level was more or less there but not the balls out effort for 40 minutes that they often display. Today it was a lack of mental toughness, yes i know its a cliche, or focus if you prefer. They fought and drew close at the end, but when the time ran out they were down by 7.
The question is, which is worse. To realize that you are "beaten" and fold - now not obviously just to stop doing the little things and putting out the effort rather than to tank entirely - or to fail to live up to your potential and let a worthy but lesser opponent best you.
Coaches will always tell you, and most of them - all the good ones - mean it, that if you enter a contest and put for your absolute best effort - leave it on the floor, give a 110%, empty the tank, pick your favorite - that they will be happy with and proud of your performance. I personally believe that. Maybe its because i have been saturated with sports and the attached attitude for too long, but there is no shame in losing to a better opponent provided you did your damdest to stop him.
Invariably however it is the athletes who BRING this up rather than have it told to them that should not be using it as solace. The all american who has just lost the last game of his senior year by the slimmest of margins and is crying his heart out with regret and shame for not having worked harder, yet does not have the strength to stand and leave the court. He is the one, not the freshman who didn't play all year.
The apparent voluntary nature of the first case makes it all the worse to me. Although the lack of understanding and will to prepare to come ready to compete is not exactly a saving grace, it can be remedied. It is, after all, in our failures that we have the most to learn from.
Then again they could just be college kids trying to play a game.
Posted: Tue - December 7, 2004 at 11:21 PM
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Published On: Dec 07, 2004 11:24 PM
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Published On: Dec 07, 2004 11:24 PM