I coached kid’s soccer. Each season we played a very talented team and they beat us, until we prepared. This team, who we referred to as, “The World Cup 9 Year Olds” were very good individual ball handlers. They played aggressively, with their bodies unlike any other team in the league.
One year, as the game approached, we practiced defense in depth, we did fun, no-holds-barred drills where the kids were allowed to check and tackle each other. At game day, I pulled the ref aside and told him to watch the opposing team for pushing and gave him a couple of common fouls to watch our team for.
We prepared and we won. The opposing coach was pissed and made several comments, he was not used to losing.
As a Public Affairs person, you have to know how the game will be played and you have to prepare.
You know, or can find out, the style in which the journalist will ask questions. You know where the interview will take place. You can find out what the audience’s interests are. You can practice. You can talk to the moderator or journalist ahead of time. You can make the game as fair as you can before you play it.
If you prepare, you will win.
(Photo by Lance Cpl. Matt Myers)
