Tag Archives: sports fan

Teamwork exemplified

I’m not a huge soccer fan, but I have to say that it was a pleasure to watch Spain’s offence in the final today. It was one of the beast examples of teamwork I’ve seen on any sports field. The team moved together, the players understood their roles, and yet they were fluid, not robotic.

They played an elite team game. They demonstrated their skills, and their ability to work together. They understood the assignment and everyone played their part.

That game wasn’t won just today. It was won through the building of a team culture, countless hours of skills training, and a strategy that relied on everyone being part of what they built. The level of domination they demonstrated on the pitch, when it comes to control of the play, probably sits so far above the statistical norm that I’d question if a final will ever be so one-sided again.

It truly was a pleasure to watch them.

_____

Update: Check out these stats!

Ultimate game

My youngest daughter is dating an Ultimate (frisbee) athlete who plays for the Seattle Cascades Ultimate team. He’s a defensive specialist currently leading the league in blocks, heading into his final game of the year… which is fantastic for his rookie year as a professional.

Today we drove down to Seattle to see the game. Ultimate is a great game to watch, it’s high scoring and fast paced. The athleticism shown by these top players really makes the game a joy to watch. 

((Video: Great defence!))

Out of the (sports) loop

I love playing sports, and I love going to live sporting events. I don’t follow sports on tv at all. Apparently it’s Super Bowl Sunday today. I heard both the team names but only remember San Francisco. I’m not going to look up the other team, I’ll just let you shake your head wondering how I can be so clueless? 😜

It has its advantages, being sports-fan ignorant: I have more time for other things. It also has its disadvantages: I can be out of the loop when sports conversations come up among friends and colleagues. My wife doesn’t mind, with free reign over the tv at all times.

I’m sure I’ll find out the results, and I’m also sure I’ll see replays of the best commercials, but I will miss out on the collective experience that so many people share.

I sometimes think I live too inside my own head to participate in following sports unless I’m right there in the experience, at the event. I don’t put a value on this as either good or bad, merely an observation about myself.

Is there something that you opt out of that others seem to enjoy? What are your reasons?