Why a Loss Can Be a Win in the CBSMF

[Reginald Rutledge]

I always try to tell people in the CBSMF (and use to in the DFW). You can tell when a guy thinks he is never suppose to lose. Some of the common things are that he always read his own "press clippings". He always looks to see on this chat page what is written about him. He revels in that. He smiles as he read how he is invincible! He tells everyone around him, "Did you see what they are saying about me?" They walk with a certain arrogance that "I am not suppose to lose". Sometimes, you just don't even want to be around them. They never hype anyone else up or promote THE GAME. It has to be about them and everyone are just minions in "HIS" kingdom. Vanity has no place in the CBSMF with these rules and the BOX!

In a span of 2 years, I won 37 games in a row. I thought I had reached a stage of "Why play with these rooty poots?" I was arrogant. Although I always thought in terms of the good of the game, I was more interested in my accomplishments instead of the league as a whole.

I stopped recruiting people to be a part of the league. I stopped teaching. It became about me. In that time, I was totally dedicated to winning.

Every once in a while, you can go on a 6-7 game winning streak in the Shootout style of play. Every once in a while, you can win 15 in a row. Sometimes you can even put up 60-70 points on a team. This style of play lends itself to great opportunities. For the most part, that's why many of us play it and others are discovering it. You can actually run plays "off the break" that will work to perfection. No need to continue to alter the direction of the men.

In the Shootout style, the men will do what you ask them to do. However, the funny thing is, this is what happens for the defense too. Their players do what they ask them to do too! But as an offensive coach, we tend to forget that. The point being - That team on the other side wants to win just as bad as you do. They may not be as confident or arrogant or conceited in thinking they can't lose.

But you know, in the strange world of MF and the CBSMF, a loss can be just as big of a win as an actual win. It helps you re-focus on what you have to do. It helps you look at your team and define weaknesses. It helps you change key positions that could have been playing less than par. It helps you re-focus mentally. It may even be the psychological edge that may catapult you into a national championship run.

When you hear things like "Washed up, over the hill, can't play, loser," and much more, it can either keep you enthused or defeat you (even with plastic figures). Sometimes the motivation is good enough that it turns that flicker into a flame. However, you remember that "you can lose just like anyone else". That alone keeps you hungry, keeps you motivated, and should stop you from being so arrogant that you don't feel you should lose.

Some comments of the game I played yesterday talked about how two friends played with great sportsmanship and as if they were having fun. It is truly just a game but we are all competitors. We want to win. Pep came in expecting to win. He played his heart out. I wanted to win. I was fortunate to win but I understand that I had a 50-50 chance of winning and losing. I was telling Michael Robertson of a personal problem I had before the game and how it was important to have those 3 hours of shear fun, win or lose. Some days, it works for you and other days it don't. If I would have loss, it would not have been the end of the world for me, just a loss in a game I love to play.

Reg