Risk Taking is a Mindset
“Don’t do it… Ron, don’t do it. If they scouted us, they know you’re going to throw the ball!” Strong words spoken from Coach Frendt, our defensive coordinator, during the district final game in 2018. Coach Frendt’s defense had just created a turnover in the third quarter in an epic battle with a talented Detroit Denby. With the score 10-7 in our favor, I had a decision to make.
I had noticed that Denby’s defense was paying little attention to our wing, Angelo Patsalis. I grabbed our quarterback, Colby Walker, and explained, “We’re going to run Texas on the first play – just give me a shitty fake to the fullback and throw it over the linebackers to Angelo. Don’t take too long Colby, throw it quick.”
On the Mariners’ first play after the turnover, Colby connected with Angelo for a 25-yard touchdown pass. I immediately turned to Coach Frendt and screamed multiple obscenities. We had the best relationship and our competitive banter in practice was something that often made me laugh. He screamed four-letter words right back at me and we hugged in celebration.
What the hell does this have to do with book promotion? I would like to think that the years spent play-calling as an offensive coordinator created an aggressive mindset that is beneficial for book promotion. Both scenarios own a layer of risk-taking, and some risks are bigger than others. Both require immediate evaluation and then, subsequently, post-game reflection.
My gut was screaming, “Throw the ball!” in the Denby game as I had gathered the following information: 1 – Denby was in man-to-man and there was no safety; 2 – we were successfully running the ball on first down; and 3 – during big game transitions the mind of a 16-year-old kid is racing with emotions and are easily reeled in with ‘play-action passing.’
So yes, throwing the ball was a huge risk in a tight game, but based on the gathered information, the timing of the called play swung in our favor. Risk-taking without proper research and observations becomes destined to ride into the failure lane that so many fear.
Yards gained and points scored are the simplest metrics to measure success with an offensive play call. In book promotion, I rely on social media and look at ‘likes, shares, comments and hits’ on my website – RonGlodich.com.
In both scenarios, we need to study our opponent – or audience – and hypothesize what might work in a given scenario. As a science teacher, my background is heavy in data analysis which has been a huge asset in both fields.
The process is constant and the wheels of creativity are always churning in this man’s mind. It is both a blessing and a curse – I find it difficult at times to feel satisfaction as my mind inevitably races forward to the next challenge. I suspect that all good coaches share this constant evaluation and evolution mindset. And it is safe to say that this is also true for all good authors, directors, and screenwriters. A needed trait for sustained success – self-reflection.
In my book, “A Run to the River,” I describe a big play during our first playoff game with the Richmond Blue Devils. Late in the fourth quarter, the offensive coordinator, Daryn Letson, asked me if I wanted to run the trick play we had been working on for several weeks. It was completely his idea and the timing was perfect. I simply said, “Do it.”
The play was successful, we scored a touchdown, and it put the game out of reach. We were victorious and on the way to our second State Championship. An interception or a fumble could have blown our small lead at the time. This was a calculated risk – a decision not for those who are weak in the knees.
Looking at my blog’s statistics, I find my essays have attracted a great deal of attention. Clips with a video attached seem to grab more views than those without. Humor is always a goal, and the posts involving humor jump to the top.
In both scenarios, your inner peace must be strong – when failures occur, many individuals will not hesitate to let you know. As a football coach, I had a pair of headsets that would muffle the storm of disapproval raining down from the stands. As an author, when a social media post gets zero likes or comments, the silence creates its own damaging noise.
Fear of negative attention has never slowed this lifelong learner. I credit my very supportive family and a tough-nose upbringing. I also credit an amazing set of coaches from the Warren Fitzgerald school district who helped strengthen self-confidence as I was growing up.
Any level of success in any occupation requires a component of risk-taking. Failure breeds change and improvement when evaluated correctly. So, the next time a calculated risk pops up in your life, you can listen to your conservative voice, “Don’t do it.” Or, you can throw the ball and experience an adrenaline rush like no other. Obscenities are optional.
