Question of the Day:The Day Before, Game Day, Kickoff, and Post Game Emotions

[Reginald Rutledge]

With the BAM Super Bowl Championship 1 day away, I can not help but be reminded as to the competitive nature of playing in big games or any game for that matter is about.

The Day before, I know I am practicing tough. Guys are going through the entire playbook and the different scenarios. We spend time on our offense, running schemes we think will work. Emphasizing defensive sets that should work. Checking my special team, studying the running of the returners and working on FGs by my kicker. I usually have a high adrenaline rush.

Game Day Before is usually a last check to make sure I will be efficient. In the Shootout style, you will see the quick pace so personnel management will be vital. Officials will be a little understanding but not knowing to get your men on and off can be costly at this point. So I am always thinking of practice in that way.

Usually, I don't sleep the night before. My family must leave me alone. I stay locked in the room up until its travel time to the game.

At kickoff, I am usually very quiet and intense. If I am really into it, I feel no one could beat me. It's a wonderful feeling when you can play with no inhibitions. I usually have butterflies.

After the game, I go home and replay the game. I still can not sleep. If it is a loss, I really have a hard time sleep because I remember all the mistakes. I remember all the points I left on the field. I put my team away most of the time because I know I would have given it my all.

If you win, it is euphoria. If you lose, it can be difficult, at least for the next day. You put on a happy face, but yes, you do experience all the emotions of a real NFL coach. It's fun and you play with passion but all of us are competitive.

What are your emotions, pre, during, and post of big games or games in general?

[the french guy]

I will be always astonished how you (american mfers) are taking the game seriously (we can see that in several topics)

I mean, in a way, I take that seriously too, spending countless hours creating teams, spending $$$ for materials, etc...But at the end, it stills a hobby.

The only competitive game we play here for now is table soccer, with a little league all the stuff. Of course I try to win, and I'm happy when I score and win, but the game day make me happy, because I know I'll see my friends and brother, not nervous.

The only thing which could make me nervous would be to be broadcasted, or with a crowd watching, because I don't like to be under the lights.

[GrandMasterKC]

that comes when one is blessed to awaken within the mindset of a champion on gameday. I have spoken to many coaches and athletes to prepare for my task and now it is time to enable the manifestation of that ideology. I often want to be alone and have that final mental time alone and also get a good rest to be sharp When my days as a Martial Artist were the most successful....i made it my duty to simply listen to some good music and get into a zone.

Preparation for me is going to my "Higher Power" and not asking for a title, but to thank Him for the talent to be in a position to win one....then it is incumbant upon me to win it and thank Him again no matter.

Anything can happen in a game and to our lil men...but I can not let just anything attack my peace, sanity and spirit...so I am getting my spirit, Mind, and Body ready for combat....
in any competitive sport you get out what you put in ....and most importantly one must know that they are the Champion before the quest...therefore mentally it is my title to lose and all my preparation is to defend iti..."WARRIOR" I went back to my old college to see the trophies of our past success and as I gazed in i reflected on what extra work it took to win them...be in sync with the team....

[Lindyhopper49]

Beautifully put.

In any big competitions that I have been in I always loved the Butterflies and the adrenaline before hand and getting so amped up to go! For me it is always a struggle to stay calm in the hours before hand and only let the energy build right before it is time to go on. One time I was all ready to go, and they changed the order of competitors so I had like 20 mins wait... Threw off the whole mojo of the event, the performance was rather flat, still did ok ranking wise, but could have been better.

[Hoop27]

Playing any table game I'm relaxed and joking around as I'm in it for the fun of the game. Make no mistake I always want to win but it is a game.

Preparation for hockey was a completely different animal. I was very social until about 45 minutes before game time when the headphones went on (A mix of metal and rap) and I started putting on the gear there was silence from me. (That is an insanely superstitious process, to the order of about 15 or 16 different things that had to be done in the right way.)

Once the lower body equipment went on I would leave the locker room and head outside to stretch and have a smoke (wouldn't recommend the later part. But as I always said "I'm not an athlete I'm a goaltender LOL) I'd often throw on my team Canada uniform while doing this and made sure my stretching routine was done near the doors so if any opponent came in they would see me and just think about what they were going to have to do to score that much more.

Once I was done the stretch I headed back into the locker room and got the upper body gear on, until about 5 minutes before game time. Then the headphones come out (by this time the music has got me in a good surly and focused mood) then the mask and gloves would go on, and I would go out by the rink to finish stretching.

i would take the warm up in silence once that was done I would give the posts a good whack in respect to the goaltending gods, and from that point on you couldn't shut me up for the entire game

Once the game was over then I'd usually go back to normal and get back to being more sociable. That evening I would usually have some sort of mental review of how I played and where I needed to improve.

That was about it.

[RooMorgans]

I just play and hope I don't get shutout.

The moment I get on the scoreboard the first time, it's on.

It's the same approach I've taken for every game I've ever played. I go into every game hoping I just don't get embarrassed. Sometimes, I have (loss to Lomax 31-6; loss to Big Keith 35-14; loss to Wondell 13-0). But the moment I know I can move the ball on you, the moment I know I can get receivers open on you, and the moment I realize I can put points on the board, then I'm totally into it.

I've been fortunate enough to win a Super Bowl in my career, and I've been unfortunate enough to lose two. Having been in 3 such big games is a blessing. Strategy hasn't really been much a part of any of the three I don't think. If I put my players in the right spot on the board, and I hit my passes, I won. If I didn't, I lost. But, in all 3, I could have been more prepared.

In BMEFA Super Bowl I, I didn't move the ball much, but I got a lead against Smitty, the defense held because they were in the right positions, and when I need a key first down at the end, I got it. But I felt much pressure that day, too, since my team was not only fighting for my first title in any league/tourney, but they were undefeated, as well. It's not all about winning and losing, but there's something special about finishing a season on top and 10-0. Only a few of us have done it. I'm honored to be in the club.

In BMEFA Super Bowl II, I had an advantage early and the chance to add more against Adrian Baxter. I failed. I missed the passes. He played like a champion - he won. I could have prepared better, and I did well, but I wasn't ready for someone of Adrian's caliber.

In MEFA College Final, I missed passes, and didn't read Tom Johnson's defenses effectively. The players did their thing - I screwed it up. Perhaps more preparation would have been in order, but that's the first final I ever played, and it was only in my 3rd or 4th season in the hobby. I was a young Jedi with much to learn.

The lesson I have not learned yet is how to take defeats, and even wins, and learn from them to make my team better. That's why I'm starting on PITT for the CBSMF right now. Competitive games are months away. But I won't be unprepared. For if I'm lucky enough to reach the heights with the Panthers, or whatever team I have in any league or tourney, I want to know I'm prepared. For those first 3 games above, perhaps I wasn't, and tried to skate on talent alone.

No more.

Ed

[artlax]

it is like Christmas Eve, in fact it was like that all day yesterday. Running around grabbing a few last minute items, packing, etc... Ironically, last night as I was packing for today the original A Christmas Carole was in the background. Play dates - regardless if it is play-offs or regular season are like one big present for me.

Hey, winning is great and losing not so much and I will give my best effort - but the time together with guys who share a common interest and also enjoy playing and the fellowship - that is what makes it. I am sure there will be a lot of laughs and good ribbing today. And we have some great food on the menu, along with super trophies and other "gifts".

Tomorrow morning I will get to enjoy the experience one more time as I sit down to write the Tweak article on the days' events and select the pictures to be submitted with it. And you know I will probably make a video or two just for fun!

Thank you to all of my fellow BAM coaches for sharing your enjoyment of the game and your time!

- NOW GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!