Managing the micro-seconds

Managing the micro-seconds

The other day I was watching one of the semi-finals of the Euro 2008. The digital clock was flashing the time left for a very crucial match which was extended due to scores level till the full time. Suddenly a thought came to my mind, how these players control their emotion and play out those final few minutes. The ticking clock was also visible to them as well as the viewers from all over the world. There was no display of panic or show of unwanted aggression. I wished our Sreesanth and team was watching these matches and learn a trick or two for preserving the stamina and controlling it for a final go at the goal.

We come across several situation in life similar to this scenario where we are left with the final few moments of tackling a critical action and helpless to react not knowing what to do ahead. This brings us to the summarisation that follows and criticism in plenty aftermath of such a decisive event.

All of us are good at commenting what should have / should not have done when it was happening in real. Even my grandmother who is an 80 year old lady and keen follower of cricket comments how Dhoni will play or R P Singh will bowl at a particular stage of a match. The advent of electronic media has opened up unlimited opportunities to observe and develop our skills and thinking pattern. But, going out there and performing is a different ball game. Imagine the mindset of a player at that particular situation. The external heat, the match tempo and the target requirements etc. His mind has to be really focussed on to his ultimate goal, i.e. the victory of his team. For this he has to have a concentrated effort to break his goal into short term and long term goals. First set of short term goals will be to settle down and get the feel of the ground and blend him to the tempo going on. And then work towards the larger goal of winning the game for his team. It is here his knowledge and perseverance to stay on without wasting energy for expressing unwanted emotion. This is where he wins his battle over the micro-seconds in case of a football match or the reducing no of balls to no of runs required target.

Germany will be playing Spain today and it will be a thrilling finale to end the Euro 2008. Elimination of major playing countries like England, Denmark, Italy, France, Russia etc have reduced the interest to this match. On paper Spain looks formidable and the in the run up to the finals they have a winning streak of 20 matches under their belt and have all the chances of lifting the Euro 2008. However, I have my bet on Germany for all those qualities mentioned above. Let us see tonight who will conquer those micro seconds before the final whistle blows.