Please ignore this post, it's likely to be long and bitchy.

[animealexis]

I hate my rugby team at the moment. Not all of them, some I absolutely adore, I'd play with them forever if I could. It does, however, piss me off that a few in particular cannot get their fucking heads out of their own fucking asses for long enough to notice that there are more than just them of importance onthe pitch. Except, of courses, when they're wanting to blame everyone else for their mistakes.

There's one in particular that I'm just about ready to thump across her head for her blatant disregard for anyone but her own self. Now, I know that it's probably not the best person to be annoyed at (team captain never is), and I've tried to convince myself that there are possible other pressures that cause her to act like such a selfish, irresponsible, raving bitch on the pitch and off. But the more I think about it, the more I know that my initial instincts regarding her - that she wasn't a person I wanted to be involved with - were on the mark. I don't know why I always try to overrule my instincts and give people who I know aren't going to be worth it civillity, but I'm thinking that from now on she's not worthy of my time. I'm going to refer to other players on the team as much as possible, and pretty much just ignore her when I can.

So this is my message for my team, none of whom actually read this, thank God.

• DO NOT BITCH. Take fucking responsibility for your own mistakes. If someone else is really fucking up the game, try a little bit of encouragement instead of fucking them out of it. "I'm not trying to be a bitch", "I'm not blaming anyone in particular but" and "You have to do this next time" are not phrases that are likely to be condusive to a happy and whole team. I, in particular, am likely to paste a blank look on my face and do the complete fucking opposite of what you tell me to do.
• Respect your team. You may have been playing a while, but there's always more for you to learn. You are not the greatest player out there. If you can bring something to the table, fantastic. If you're bluffing because you like the sound of your own voice, forget it. I've been playing rugby for 10 years. I'm nowhere near the level of some people playing for  half that time. I have experience, but I'm not the best. I can remember that, why can't you?
• Run fucking straight. You are not going to gain ground by running halfway across the pitch to try and find a gap. Take the hit, go down, get back up again. Fucking simple, no? Your forwards are there to protect you. We will not be held responsible for you running away from us and being rucked over when you're by yourself. We will most likely resent you for giving us more running than we need to do. 80 minutes is a long enough game already, and we're taking a lot harder hits than you're even trying. We will get tired. We will get sick of running after you. You will lose the ball to the opposition. And I will laugh in your face when you try to blame us.
• Support your players. If you're a forward first in to clear the ruck, great. Please be straight up in behind. Do not let someone run by herself halfway up the pitch. I understand you're tired, I'm fucking exhausted myself. But as soon as she goes down, there has to be someone there to take the ball, or to protect the player. If you're a back, yes. You are allowed to clear the ruck if you're the first one there. You're who's available, don't hang back and wait for someone else to do a job they might not be able to complete at that time.
• Fall in to the line, and keep your defense strong. I can count several people screaming at you to keep the line, and watch where the ball is. You leave a gap, they're going to get through.
• I DON'T CARE HOW LAZY/COMFORTABLE/GOOD YOUR PLAYS ARE. IF YOU DON'T VARY THEM, ANY OPPOSITION WITH HALF A BRAIN WILL FIND WAYS TO COUNTERACT THEM. YOU'D WANT TO BE FACING A PRETTY FUCKING SHITTY TEAM WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO ADJUST TO A GAME. VARY THE BALL. DO NOT KEEP IT WITH THE FORWARDS ALL THE TIME. DO NOT KEEP IT WITH THE BACKS ALL THE TIME. SWITCH IT UP, OR LOSE IT COMPLETELY.
• I don't care how great your relationship with another player is. There are 15 people on that pitch. Pass the ball along once in a while, would you? We've got some brilliant wingers. They'd like to see the ball go beyond the blasted out half once in a while. We've got a super pack. They can pass between them, and pick and go. But we're not going to go anywhere if we don't work as a team. This is a point to go along with my "Get your head out of your own ass" one. Look around you and give people a chance. Trust someone other than yourself to be able to catch a ball and run with it. Use every single player on that pitch.
• We're all tired. We don't all want to play the full match half the time. A lot of us want to come off and just go relax. So quit your whining, grit your teeth, and get yourself into the game.

I think that might be about it. Now, I know I'm not perfect and that I have a good deal of mistakes to make as well. But I'm aware  of them, and I'm willing to take advice. Not patronising, I will never take advice from you if you patronise me. Believe it or not, I surprisingly know a little bit about rugby.

But at this point, I'm ready to fuck about half of you out of it if you don't get over yourselves already. I swear to God, I will hit you. And hit you hard.

Also, LO, since you're the only one of my group that reads my LJ. When are you guys coming home? I miss you and I want to do a group dinner or night out or something. Why did we all roam so far away?
 

Comments

[louiseoh18.livejournal.com]

not fun huh?

sorry for the suckiness buddy! it's funny but the thing about teamwork is the trick's in the name...y'know TEAM.

you mean comin home in the summer? cos i have no idea. i love y'all but how much bein at home time i can deal with, i'm not sure. but yes def a big meet and catch up session for sure!

did i tell you i love this layout? cos i do

also in my small way of cheerin you up; i wrote the pete-patrick flashback to when they met scene. its not long but i kinda like it.

talk soon & hey come whine at me if you need to, christ knows you do it enough with me.

peace out

oh and uh they're prob not worth killing. you should only face jail time when its truly worth it...

LOVE YOU. MISS YOU TOO. AND IDK WHY WE ALL SCATTERED.BUT WE SHALL UNITE!!

[animealexis.livejournal.com]

I'm actually adoring this layout too, but I think I want to put a border or something in the background so's it doesn't look so plain. And a pic at the top, but I don't know what to put there. Any ideas?

As for summer, I know it'll prob be difficult for you to come over and stay. Plus side? I could end up coming over to you a few times, depinding on the money situation, and maybe Jen'll work in England again over the summer... I dunno. I just can't wait until we're in a big group again, so looking forward to it. I really want to keep us in contact, try and beat out the teachers. Maybe I'll try and organise something for midterm, if any of the girls are home. I'll catch you up on it after, and pass any messages along! Or we could have you on Skype for the evening, lol!

Also, rugby. I'm going to ignore it, for the moment, until Sunday's match at least. Give myself time to calm down. I am glad that you're not encouraging me into jail time, though, thank you!

And damn you for telling me about fic when I'm at work and can't get it! Unless you want to email it to me...

If you're around, gimme a buzz!! On LJ or email, no Skype at work :(

[louiseoh18.livejournal.com]

well i think its screaming out for a panic header or something!! i am an lj graphics whore so if you want a particular band or whatever, lemme know and i can link you stuff. i use diff ones; spn, actresses, stock or fashion ones. i can help if you want!

well yeah i shall be around at some point and y'all can come here whenever! it'll be like video conferencing, with me on a laptop at the head of the table..i think um no..

but yes pass on messages/news etc.

it's only a short bit of fic but it was the pete/patrick flashback scene. oh i had chad m as a mean bully cos i couldnt think of bandom people. any bandom guys who are mean/you don't like that i can use? otherwise the cw is majorly taking over...

rant about whatever anytime. yes my mouth won't quit but i like to listen too!

talk later maybe? im away tomorrow and essay on sunday afternoon but soon k???

[animealexis.livejournal.com]

Panic header could be a good idea, but I think I'm going to try and find a video and take a screencap before I go hunting for ready-made banners. I prefer making my own stuff, as you can see by the handmade LJ. Even if it's crappy, it's mine and unique, you know? But I really appreciate the offer, thank you!!

I still think it could be a good idea, though maybe not when we're out for dinner. :) No? Oh, well.

Short is still good! Especially when you write it! Aww, poor Chad. I don't mind, I don't really hate anybody so I don't like bashing. But if you want ideas for background characters I can certainly help there!

And I know, I just don't like ranting on about things. This was me at the end of my tether. I don't like reaching that point if I can stop myself beforehand.

I'm around on Skype if you're here!

[louiseoh18.livejournal.com]

i love your creativity! you could always just google for panic pics then mess about with making banners/headers out of them.

also i meant no to like me being on a laptop in a public restuarant type of place - just hanging with you guys would be pretty cool...

talking to you on skype now so gonna go back to that now.

peace out!

also f13 came out to day and seriously the temptation to go is insane. but no,gotta be strong!