Through Thick and Thin OR Loyalty
How is it that we develop loyalties to certain teams?
We love to feel pride and excitement through success (in soccer that's usually defined by winning games or tournaments).
What happens when our incentive to feel connected to them is challenged? How should we respond when our teams fail to provide moments of success?
As a fan, I have associated myself with teams for various reasons. Some have won me over with a style of fútbol that is attractive to me. Some clubs have commendable culture or standards or both. Many of us follow teams based on local allegiances or national pride: neighborhoods, cities, countries we connect to (of course, for me it is easier to root for a team that holds merit beyond geography). We follow these teams and we vicariously capitalize pride from their successes. Does the fanbase ever deserve credit? Does the fanbase ever deserve blame?
The Portland, Timbers, a local MLS team that I follow and have been supporting for the last few years, has had a rough start to this season. I was compelled to become a fan for a few reasons: 1. cause dear friends of mine are fans. 2. they're the local team of a city I love. 3. they are positive and admirable in spirit and philosophy. 4. they attempt to play a brand of soccer I can get behind. Five losses and a tie in their first six games, after having come off strong at the end of their last season.
How do we respond to slumps?
How should we respond to slumps?
Stress and hardships test our character. Adversity reveals who we truly are when pressed.
I have coached or played on teams that during times of success everyone is committed, excited, caring and kind. When they are winning, it's family. However, when things start to go wrong, when losing or after having lost individuals lose morale; they turn bitter; blame is exchanged; criticisms and doubts arise and poison cohesion; players give up in the face of perceived hopelessness.
I have coached players who have asked to be pulled from games because we were losing.
I also know players and teammates who would rather play in the higher divisions against superior teams and lose than in lower divisions where wins are guaranteed. And players and teammates who regardless how dire the situation is their morale, work rate, focus, excitement and belief isn't shaken.
In a world and time when material goods are disposable, discardable, replaceable (a trend that sadly extends to relationships and living things); and those of us in positions of privilege can't stand certain degrees or bouts of discomfort; it is easier and easier to give up on our teams, turn against them, give up hope, resign our allegiance.
Whenever things are looking bad for teams we've coached or played on, my friend, teammate and mentor Tony Gonzalez always says, "Greatest comeback ever."
What we need to do in the hardest moments is relax (even though the weight is crushing down on you), excessive pressure will work against you, it will debilitate your belief, it will plant deep doubts into your confidence, it will sour the fun of the game (as a player and fan).
Galeano in Soccer in Sun and Shadow writes about how he is the worst fan because when he sees the other team do something incredible, he cheers.
Maybe much of the problem is in perspective.
Lets not take it too seriously, but more importantly, lets stand by each other and those who need us, work harder, and do our part even (especially) in the darkest moments.
What if we changed our definition of success? To something beyond just competition. To maybe: learning, working hard, growing together, growing stronger, loyalty, being good hosts, or maybe even fun.
All that being said... get ready for a future entry on why I play, why I enjoy the game. (shocked face emoji here).
We love to feel pride and excitement through success (in soccer that's usually defined by winning games or tournaments).
What happens when our incentive to feel connected to them is challenged? How should we respond when our teams fail to provide moments of success?
As a fan, I have associated myself with teams for various reasons. Some have won me over with a style of fútbol that is attractive to me. Some clubs have commendable culture or standards or both. Many of us follow teams based on local allegiances or national pride: neighborhoods, cities, countries we connect to (of course, for me it is easier to root for a team that holds merit beyond geography). We follow these teams and we vicariously capitalize pride from their successes. Does the fanbase ever deserve credit? Does the fanbase ever deserve blame?
The Portland, Timbers, a local MLS team that I follow and have been supporting for the last few years, has had a rough start to this season. I was compelled to become a fan for a few reasons: 1. cause dear friends of mine are fans. 2. they're the local team of a city I love. 3. they are positive and admirable in spirit and philosophy. 4. they attempt to play a brand of soccer I can get behind. Five losses and a tie in their first six games, after having come off strong at the end of their last season.
How do we respond to slumps?
How should we respond to slumps?
Stress and hardships test our character. Adversity reveals who we truly are when pressed.
I have coached or played on teams that during times of success everyone is committed, excited, caring and kind. When they are winning, it's family. However, when things start to go wrong, when losing or after having lost individuals lose morale; they turn bitter; blame is exchanged; criticisms and doubts arise and poison cohesion; players give up in the face of perceived hopelessness.
I have coached players who have asked to be pulled from games because we were losing.
I also know players and teammates who would rather play in the higher divisions against superior teams and lose than in lower divisions where wins are guaranteed. And players and teammates who regardless how dire the situation is their morale, work rate, focus, excitement and belief isn't shaken.
In a world and time when material goods are disposable, discardable, replaceable (a trend that sadly extends to relationships and living things); and those of us in positions of privilege can't stand certain degrees or bouts of discomfort; it is easier and easier to give up on our teams, turn against them, give up hope, resign our allegiance.
Whenever things are looking bad for teams we've coached or played on, my friend, teammate and mentor Tony Gonzalez always says, "Greatest comeback ever."
What we need to do in the hardest moments is relax (even though the weight is crushing down on you), excessive pressure will work against you, it will debilitate your belief, it will plant deep doubts into your confidence, it will sour the fun of the game (as a player and fan).
Galeano in Soccer in Sun and Shadow writes about how he is the worst fan because when he sees the other team do something incredible, he cheers.
Maybe much of the problem is in perspective.
Lets not take it too seriously, but more importantly, lets stand by each other and those who need us, work harder, and do our part even (especially) in the darkest moments.
What if we changed our definition of success? To something beyond just competition. To maybe: learning, working hard, growing together, growing stronger, loyalty, being good hosts, or maybe even fun.
All that being said... get ready for a future entry on why I play, why I enjoy the game. (shocked face emoji here).
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