photo: Paranoid |
When you watch a race like the Tour de France you see
varying strategies that are used, but there are two which stand out. The first
is what we might call the surge protector, after the electrical device which
prevents overload. In this case a competitor asserts his hegemony over the pack
almost from the beginning. The advantage is, of course, psychological. The top
dog forces others out of their comfort zone. The danger is that he or
she (if we are talking of other sports) will tire and lose their mojo. The
second involves pacing or drafting. The pretender to the throne or podium (if
we are talking the tour) “drafts,” say the leader, waiting for the right
moment, usually close to the finish when he can sustain a quick surge ahead.
The disadvantage is that you allow your adversary to dictate the pace from the
start, allowing him or her to perform in an area that he or she's familiar with. Furthermore
you don’t get to rattle them until the very end. In boxing a similar idea is
expressed in the difference between those who like to box or brawl. A boxer is
usually a counterpuncher, who uses his opponent’s own strength against him. The
boxer waits to see what the other guy is going to do. A good brawler, on the
other hand, comes in fighting and if effective will so demoralize his
counterpart that the fight will be over before it starts. We know who is going
to box and who is going to fight amongst the two candidates for the presidency.
The only question is which one will possess what's known as ring generalship, a term
which accounts for a competitor’s ability to control the way the contest is
being waged.
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