Chapter 9: Failure

Exploring the relationship with failure is crucial for growth in competition and life. Embrace failure as an indicator of necessary change, not as a detriment to success. Become a researcher of your own game, analyzing sequences for their successes and failures. Document inconsistencies and explore creative adjustments, like varying sweep ranges or developing multiple passing directions. Question if your training is too conservative and consider opening up to new possibilities.

Competitive success can lead to a conservative approach, focusing on winning rather than exploring. However, expanding your game can bring more excitement and play into matches. Reflect on the fear of failure and its impact on your performance. Use competition as a learning tool, starting small and competing often to gain insights and manage stress. Set clear intentions for your game, rehearse positions, and have a plan for when things don't go as expected.

After competing, take inventory of what worked, what didn't, and what needs to change. Use failures as learning experiences to inform your strategy and improve. Compete with the intention of learning and growing, rather than just winning, and approach both success and failure with grace and self-love.