Mind Games

Regionals are several days away and while I've been getting excited for them, I have one element on my mind that worries me.

Big games pump me up. The stiffer the competition, the more excited I get and the better I play. The game against Mischief was no different. I was looking forward to playing them ever since we beat their incomplete squad at DUI.

I went into the game ready to dominate. I was sprinting down every pull, staying on my mark's ass every second. Then on the second point that I was in the thrower called a foul on me. I felt that I was stationary and contested the call. After a little bit more arguing the play continued and they scored.

While on the sideline the thrower came up to me and started asking me why I like to cheat. Confused I asked if he was referring to the foul call. I felt that my call was right, but he just kept on going saying that the call labeled me a cheater. Now, I consider myself a relatively spirited player, so that felt like a low blow. To make matters worse, one of his teammates joined in and just started ragging on me while on the sideline.

I do not play well when I'm upset. And these two were upsetting me. As the game progressed, I slowly started playing worse and worse. I ended up taking myself out of the game. When my captain called lines I preferred to let others play in my place.

This really bothered me. I spent a lot of time mentally preparing for this game, and after a couple points of their players ragging on me from the sideline, I had lost my focus.

Regionals is coming up and I am excited by the stiff competition and the desire to perform for my team. But I am not looking forward to playing Mischief. The last thing I need is to have all my energy and focus fade away because some dick on the sideline spends all his spare time breaking me down. If you want to challenge me, challenge me on the field, not on the sideline.