With the beginning of the biggest sporting event, the biggest (sports) war of 2010 has begun. Surprised! Why am I calling this sporting event as the biggest war of 2010, when people are talking about unity and peace through sports? Well this comes from a long history of sports – ‘To excel and to prove one’s superiority over others‘ is a deep seated urge in all human beings. This urge has led to fights, battles and wars in human history. But as the civilization advanced sports has evolved as a remedy for war, but the attitude remains the same . Winning a sports event has become a matter of National Pride, as everybody wants to establish the superiority of his nation by winning the event. And if you look at the terms used in football you will come to know that many of the terms come directly from military nomenclature, such as blitz, line to gain, bomb, trench, and encroachment. It’s a War without any violence.
If this is a war then for any war the art of war is of vital importance. Since after all it is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances it should be neglected. So with the start of the first battle of FIFA World Cup 2010 lets focus on ‘The Art of War’ by SUN TZU a Chinese philosopher and general who wrote the earliest known treatises on war and military science. He wrote a systematic guide for military strategy and tactics around 510 B.C. and his teachings have been studied and applied for thousands of years. It quite clearly shows how to take initiative and combat the enemy – any enemy (opponent).
Trending
Lets apply these strategies to our sport to win the WAR.
#The art of war is govern by five constant factors to be taken into account in one’s deliberations when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.
Five factors should be considered before planning the game.
1. Moral Law: The Moral law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives and dismayed by any danger.
Every team member should be in complete accord with his team and the team goal. The team members should stand together in success, failures, crisis, etc. Support each other and support the captain and coach in any decision that he takes on the field. The team should be one. As a team of individuals would struggle to gain credibility and acceptance, and would lead to each person looking after their own backyard to ensure their survival rather than focus on the outcome of the team. Instead of overreacting to the mistakes its very important to enjoy success and anchor the good times, it is vital for a team’s success.
2. Heaven: Heaven signifies night and day, cold or heat, times and seasons.
Heaven signifies the timing of the match, the temperature cold or hot, the atmosphere etc. while planning the game it very important to also consider all these things.
3. Earth: Earth comprises distance, great and small, danger and security, open ground and narrow passes, the chances of life and death.The earth comprises of the ground or locations where matches are played, traveling, schedules, audiences etc.
4. The Commander: The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness.The Commander stands for the psychological aspects of the player and team. Team cohesion, coach player relationship, self-image, self-control, etc.
5. Method and discipline: Method and discipline are to be understood as the marshalling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of ranks among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.
Method and discipline here means a proper game plan, clarity of roles and responsibilities, ready with proper equipments, etc.
These five factors should be familiar to every general (coach). He who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
Now when you want to find out which team has a stronger chance to win the day’s game, make your decision on the basis of a comparison in this wise:
* Which of the two team is imbued with the Moral Law?* Which of the two generals (coaches) has the most ability?* With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?* On Which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?* On which side are officers (players) more highly trained?
