September 24, 2016

Luc Mullinder’s ProPerspective- The Rear-View Mirror

as the Saskatchewan Roughriders take on the Edmonton Eskimos in Regina, SK, September 18, 2016 Photo Electric Umbrella/Liam Richards

Luc Mullinder

If one looks at the difference in size between the windshield of a car and its rear-view mirror, comparatively speaking, they’re not even close; and for good reason…

Although it’s an important piece of the drive, one would never get anywhere using the rear-view as their main guide on any type of road trip.

Yes, the rear mirror needs to be adjusted and checked consistently in order for one to make any moves in traffic safely (and also for the mandatory death stare when kids won’t shut up in the back seats) but other than that, it’s all eyes forward.

Football is the same way.  It’s impossible for a team to advance if they’re preparing for battle using the wrong the focal point.  Don’t get me wrong, peeking back to last week in order to re-capture and build on the team’s momentum and accomplishments is a necessity.  What needs to be avoided is becoming entranced with the rear-view mirror and running dead on into Week 9 during the first meeting with the TiCats…that’s not a trip that’s worth making again.

Just like a long road trip with your buddies, coaches and teams have to find the perfect balance between looking ahead and glancing behind when preparing for an opponent like Hamilton.

Truth be told, the formula has been made easier because of the changes that both teams have gone through since their first meeting at the Coffee Grounds of Tim Hortons Field.

With the flux that both organizations have experienced, players are able to focus schematically on “what their opponent does” rather than individually and “who was doing it the last time out”.  It’s easier to navigate a vehicle if one is able to avoid traffic.  Football is no different.  Less traffic means fewer rear-view mirror checks and more time focusing on what lies ahead.

It all goes back to our conversations about control.  There’s literally nothing one can do about what’s in the past, no matter how good, or how bad.  All a player is able to do is focus on the next play.

That’s why the windshield of a vehicle is so dam big.  Everything that one needs to see in order to successfully get to their destination is in front of them, not behind them.  Every turn, every bump, and pothole can be handled if one simply focuses on what matters.

Despite being down a few key weapons, Hamilton still has the ability to put up numbers if they’re allowed to build on momentum.  That’s why one of the most important keys for today’s game is Saskatchewan’s ability to avoid staring in the rear-view mirror.

With each play that goes by, the Green and White need to have the ability to re-focus all of their energy on the next rep in order to execute and put themselves in a position to win their 2nd in a row.

A glance back every now and then is ok, but it’s all about what’s in the WINdshield today…