The When and Why of Taking Control

I met this guy at the gym who plays professional football in the Canadian Football League. He’s a defensive back, 24 years old and stronger than two average men his age. I can’t remember his name but when he comes to workout, he’ll usually find me and ask I’m playing ball today. Reluctantly I answer yes and it’s a slow yes because if this guy is guarding you, you’ll remember it for a few days. The first time I played against him it was that awkward scenario where a finesse guy like myself is pitted against a gladiator. Gladiators tend to win that first contest because brutality trumps savvy the first time at least.

Ah but since then the tables have begun to turn. In an unexplainable manner akin to how somehow the paper beats the rock in Rock-Paper-Scissors, I figured out how to beat the gladiator. You have to have motive and the ability to combine brawn with speed and skill. When my gridiron bound friend found me on the leg extension machine yesterday I assured him I’d be playing in about 20 minutes. Once on the floor I took control. I said to myself, “Self, you’re not faster than a guy who runs a 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds but you are more deceptive. You’ve been playing basketball your whole life and this guy can’t guard you if he doesn’t know what you’re going to do from one second to the next.”  So the games ensued and while using unpredictability as a primary tactic to evading my hunter, I added conditioning. If I’m playing against a bigger, stronger opponent who typically plays American Football, let’s turn this game into a track meet. Basketball is like anything else that requires you to recognize when you have advantages. Never slug it out with a slugger if you’re not one. Competing to win often means creating mismatches of ability. If you can do this you can likely defeat the most unlikely of opponents.

But I neglected to address motive. Why am I motivated to destroy my opponent who is 10 years my junior? It’s not a pride thing so much as an opportunity to earn respect and make a young man better. The 24-year old wants to play in the NFL and failed to make the Minnesota Vikings roster. I don’t know much about football but when he was too tired to continue guarding me yesterday I said, “Let’s get this conditioning in man. You can’t stop running ’cause you’re tired. Let’s go.” I took control and became a coach momentarily because the time and opportunity presented themselves. Lesson learned.