In both the movie versions and the documentary on the 1980 US Hockey team, coach Herb Brooks keeps telling his players to “Play your game” as they are holding on to a 4-3 advantage with 10 minutes to go in the 3rd period. Don’t focus on the other guys – focus on what you are doing.
I started my semifinal match today feeling good. I hit the ball well during warm-up, and I felt lots of energy and was ready to play at a high level of intensity. But when the match started my opponent hit 3 straight dead nicks from crazy positions. I was either playing Ramy Ashour and I was in big trouble or this barrage of nicks couldn’t possibly be sustainable. In either case, the only answer is to Play Your Game. Against Ramy I will lose with honor and against mortals I have a shot at winning.
I remember plenty of matches in the past where I did it the wrong way. I was so overly concerned with the strength of my opponent that instead of playing a strategically disciplined game and giving myself a real shot at winning, I took sloppy shortcuts and went for shots out of desperation rather than from a dominant position.
Today, however, I stuck to my guns and played my game and won 11-5, 11-1, 11-4. So tomorrow I play in the finals of the Italian 45+ Championships. I am excited but aware that my opponent is a very dangerous player and I will need to play my game again tomorrow no matter what happens.