sports - what would you do?

[troypiggo]

Ok. First up - confession time. I play indoor netball. Been playing it for some 15 years. I both play (Mens 2) and coach (Mixed 3) for my centre in the INFQ Superleague comp.

Second - no jokes about guys playing netball. I've heard them all before :)

Now. It's finals time, and this is Superleague, so a cut above the normal weeknight comp at the local centre. We finished 5th and played the team that placed 8th on Saturday night. No disrespect to them, they seem to be a really nice/fun bunch of guys, but we absolutely smashed them 98-7. We weren't even playing really hard. I'm sure if we hit top gear we could have cracked 100.

It was pretty hard for them. They knew we were going to beat them convincingly before the game. I was chatting to my opponent, they were laughing about it, huddling up, doing some chants in jest. When they did score a goal, they'd all come together and high-5 each other, run around like soccer players after scoring a goal. LOL. The whole crowd cheered them too.

So what would you do? Take it easy on them considering we had such a huge lead? But it's finals time, and we need to be sharp for the upcoming, more challenging opponents. And if they can tell you're taking it easy, sometimes that's more demoralising too.

I'm not sure what the right answer is. Just trying to be sportsmanlike.

[wavelandscott]

I think you've got to play it like you mean to win it...

I've seen too many people (myself included) get hurt going 3/4ths speed and not paying 100% attention.

[AstralTraveller]

Taking it easy was what my uncles used to do when I was a 10 year old bowling to them (it's also what I did when bowling to them when I was 20). But in competitive sport I couldn't conceive of it. I played basketball (B grade in the local comp) and occasionly played very weak teams. On one occasion we did set ourselves the target of reaching 100, and failed; but at least it kept us focused. I know it's not possible to work as hard in a lop-sided game as it is in a nail biting final but I would never consciously back off. Somehow it seems disrespectful, and besides I was a greedy player. :ashamed:

[troypiggo]

Yeah, that's my thoughts. I'm very competitive by nature. Still, my thoughts were also that if new teams are trying to come into the comp and they get smashed every week, they won't come back. From the sport's perspective, it's much stronger if things are a little more even. Even now the number of mens' teams is dropping off.

[Octane]

98-7 = lol = pwn

H

[troypiggo]

Pwn indeed. Our L337 skillz pwned their noob butts.

Sorry, I hope none of those guys are reading this. Don't mean to be disrespectful.

[jjjnettie]

You've got to play it like you mean it Troy. Take no prisoners!

I returned to netball (indoor, mixed and ladies), in my 30's, not having played since high school. Our first season, we lost every game, second season we ended half way up the ladder. Every season after that we blitzed 'em. Never lost a game and I have a wonderful collection of trophies to prove it.
Yours truly was goal shooter.:)

[troypiggo]

:) Great sport, isn't it. Where do you play?

[jjjnettie]

I used to play at the Brackenridge Indoor Sports Centre. It's been close on to 10yrs since I last played though.

[Jeffkop]

Troy .. there's no more admirable quality in a sportsman than sportsmanship ... thats a certainty ... but sportsmanship is not connected to score in any facet, absolutely two entirely different entities.

In every game, especially the pointy end of the season, make every post a winner, take every advantage offered, give no advantage away. Winning is great, its the reason anyone serious plays competitive sports ... but floggings are beautiful. They come along every now and then to show what its like when it all clicks for everyone on the same night/day ... and it also helps fade the memories of being on the other side of that coin.

Best of luck

[Barrykgerdes]

I don't play any of those sports any more. I have even had to give golf up as a a competative sport this year.

I prefer net ball to basket ball. I think there is actually more skill required and you don't need to be 7ft tall and run the 100 in 10secs.

Hi Nettie I used to think GS was the girls name.

Barry

[iceman]

I've played some mixed netball before, it's a lot of fun.

I used to play Tennis and Basketball, and a bit of Soccer when I was younger.

Now I do Karate and some other general fitness stuff (jogging etc).

In your situation, keep going - play hard but have fun :)

[troypiggo]

:sadeyes: It was Brackenridge that we played on Sat night. Don't say anything. :D

[troypiggo]

Indeed Jeff. I've seen my share of gracious losers and very poor winners.



I wouldn't say more skill, just different. I'd argue about the height and speed. Seems every opponent I come across is taller, fitter, and faster than me. Have to rely on my wits and experience instead. That's usually enough, unless I come up against someone taller, faster, AND has the smarts - then I'm stuffed, or at least it's a good battle :)



That's the way I like it, and the way I coach. Play hard, but have fun always.

[bloodhound31]

:lol::rofl:That's AWESOME!

It's a small world....:rofl:

[supernova1965]

I have two main sports I play they are Wheelchair Basketball and Lawn bowls I have represented Mackay in Both sports won bronze in Lawnbowls in state championships pairs for disabled athletes and Silver in the North QLD Games for Wheelchair basketball. Sorry I miss read the thread title I thought you asked what do you play. I have never taken it easy on any opponent because I believe that if you do that they can't get any better I feel a good thrashing gets you to try harder and improve more training and determination just the way I have always played I feel if you are going to do it you should not hold back.

[troypiggo]

Well done mate! I have huge respect for those sports. I have a mate that plays wheelchair tennis competitively. Seeing it live you appreciate the skill, strength and stamina.

[supernova1965]

One thing I was surprised to find when I first started playing Wheelchair Basketball was that the hoop is kept at the normal height. But you get used to it pretty quick

[AstralTraveller]

So you don't dunk it??? :shrug: :P:P

[Matt Wastell]

Hi Troy
Always play at your best! Smash the opposition but be humble in victory.

[supernova1965]

No we don't have any dunking yet but some players have been able to jump their chair at least 2 feet off the floor but that is a foul others can lift the chair onto one wheel to get some extra height which is legal.