Bats in the Night

As the night darkens across the quiet lake, bats stream from the woods to dive and swirl in the night air. The dark blue sky serves as a backdrop to this nightly spectacle. Impressive maneuvering makes for an interesting show. To me, this is a welcomed sight. The more bats, the fewer mosquitoes – not a bad trade off. The thunderstorms have kept off to the distance. Not much rain yet to raise the water levels in the surrounding streams that feed the lake. I watch the bats fly through the air and marvel on how fast they change direction. Two things that come to mind; change direction to acquire the puck/ball, and change direction to maintain possession of the ball/puck. Figure out where the puck is going, and know where you are taking the ball/puck. To do this you have to be quick, agile, and smart. Get low and move quickly. Think fast, and be in the moment. There’s no time to daydream when things are moving fast. Know what’s going on around you. Be aware of your surroundings even if you only get glimpses during the action. Know where you are on the field/ice and know where everyone else is. Avoid running into things or off the field. On the ice you can use the boards, but keep your head up. The boards are also a hazard if you aren’t expecting to hit them or get slammed into them. Move forwards, backwards, and side to side. Keep your body in between the puck/ball and your opponent. Don’t coast or glide too much. Be ready to slam on the breaks and change direction without forgetting to protect the puck/ball. Look for your help. When the pressure gets to the point where there’s a chance you’ll lose possession, or you need to move the ball forward quickly – make a good pass, not a blind pass just to throw the puck away. Players that maneuver well with the puck or the ball can draw the defensive players out of position and create opportunities for their teammates. It puts excitement into the game, and it’s great to see players pull their moves successfully. You don’t want to develop ball hogs, but I do like to see great moves. I like to see great passing and teamwork, but I also like to see those moves. Practice your moves, and don’t eat too many mosquitoes