My blogging has been non-existent for a while—a sure sign that I have not been fully engaged in my dissertation revisions (blogging is, after all, a great way to not finish that burdensome chapter or paragraph. Read here a great way to procrastinate, also remembering that if one is procrastinating that one is at least taking seriously on some level that the writing needs to get done). Well, read-in what you like, I am blogging again.
I was thinking today about sports (imagine that!) and the ways in which I tend to throw around the phrase, “let’s just have some fun.” This phrase is usually set in opposition to the ideal, “you play to win."
In my experience, the first phrase can mean two things. In the context of a team that has obvious talent, and hence will win a lot of games, “let’s just have some fun” means that given a choice between stressed out winning and easy-going winning, the latter is preferable. Winning is a given for such a team. The element of choice revolves around the team’s disposition while winning. However, if or when the team loses, the game is anything but fun. Trust me on this one.
On teams where the talent level is (searching for a good euphemism) a growing point, “let’s just have some fun” functions more as a mantra that helps you believe that there really is another goal to the game beyond winning. It’s like whistling in the dark. Now certainly there are people who truly enjoy the sport of a good game. But let’s face it, in most game contexts winning is preferable to losing. By the very fact that I have to create an alternative set of values for my 0-12 little league team (e.g., “winning isn’t everything”) suggests on some level that I am conceding that they would enjoy the game much more if they would have won. As a coach you never have to teach kids to be disappointed in losing. They get that pretty instinctually. Hence, within the context of a team that will lose more games than they win, I have found that taking winning more seriously can actually help the team to have more fun. Yes, it means disappointment most of the time, but if such a team does not take winning seriously, chances are they will never win. This robs team members in two ways: 1) it does not allow a team to experience the satisfaction of having tried its best to win; and 2) it minimizes the possibility of experiencing the utter joy of winning that rare game. Trust me, when a team like this wins, it’s like winning the World Series.
All this being said, there are good and bad winners, good and bad losers. I just don’t want to assume that winning is a bad thing or that the desire to win is a bad thing. In the context of a game that has winners and losers, I prefer to win. It’s more fun. There I’ve said it.
In the previous statements, all resemblances to current teams on which I play are purely coincidental.
Umm...can't we simply find a scapegoat in stead? I mean, Genesis 22 and all...?
Posted by: AngloBaptist at May 5, 2004 03:05 PMWell said, Frank. It’s more complicated than just, “try to conceal from them the fact that they’re getting hosed.”
Posted by: AKMA at May 5, 2004 03:15 PMIf we weren't concerned with winning, we wouldn't keep score. In my experience as a ref, the team with the better fundamentals usually won. I think Vince Lombardi said, "I'll give you my play book and we'll still beat you because we'll block better, throw better and catch better." (or words to that effect) Sometimes I think in little league games people (read parents) forget that learning the fundamentals of the game is almost (if not more) important than simply winning. And yes, winning is usually more fun.
Posted by: Reverend Ref at May 5, 2004 11:57 PMI agree with all being said. One of the great things about sports that is teachable, besides how to play the game is how to win and how to lose. It can make sports more enjoyable for everyone. Furthermore I think this is one of the great things about the advances in Women's sports. More and more women are getting to compete and experience the emotion of victory in a context of high level sports (which is sports) that has been for a long time a locked door.
Posted by: mitch at May 11, 2004 07:08 PM