GBMWolverine: Thinking Upset? Then Read This

Posted at 12:00pm — 11/19/2010

GBMWolverine: Thinking Upset? Then Read This

Upset, a term some fear and others rejoice at the mere mention. As a common construct upset is difficult to operationally define, but still one knows a true upset when it happens without the shepherding of media appointed potentates. There are degrees of upsets, from mild to shocking, and no clear thin line defines an upset from a non-upset. If a team is arbitrarily favored by a point, or so, is this an upset? Again, as with all human ventures there is variance of opinion and conclusion.

So, what are some classic upsets? The Mets over the Orioles in the 1969 World Series was the ultimate long-shot. But on further examination the Mets had Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, Gary Gentry, and Tug McGraw on that staff.

At the time of the actual 1969 Michigan-Ohio State game, several magazines trumpeted the Michigan win as the greatest upset in college sports history. But Bo proved his worth and his defense had talent. Talent on defense can give a team a chance. Time has failed to tarnish the title of upset for that storied game.

The biggest pro upset may have been a young Ali taking out Sonny Liston in the early 1960’s. But look at how that particular scenario played out.

The point is that sometimes time and historical perspective can determine the final status of degree of upset, not the immediate contemporary setting. But the present is what always counts; it is the moment, and coaches looking for real upsets do not have the luxury of waiting around for historical analysis.

And so, one may ask, what can coaches do to prepare for the big upset? Read on below and gain some insight.

There are three obvious domains for planning an upset, cognitive, managerial, and physical. First, is a discussion of cognitive components. Cognitive domain would include mental and attitudinal preparation. A plan for an upset starts with a stated mission; we are going to win this game. Saying a glittering generality in and by itself guarantees nothing. The bigger mission is to get everyone to believe the improbable, everyone! One of the hallmarks of the best of the best in the coaching profession is the innate ability to convince a team by the strength of message or the mere presence of a coach that exudes pure confidence, an arrogant and defiant confidence. The message must be repeated and honed throughout the week; amateur brainwashing if you will.

The message may state that the team is not the actual underdog, simply disrespected. The message may point to the strengths of the team and the weaknesses of the opponent. The message may refer to the status of rivalry, or the message may speak to opportunity and the associated future perks of pulling off a monumental upset.

From the start of the week’s preparation, mental toughness is accentuated and a no-fear policy is the only accepted course. Players must instantly hone in to the necessity of total focus. Players cannot be allowed to display doubt or hesitancy, but talk among the collective groups is only of victory and the course of action to achieve victory.

The managerial aspects of authoring an upset may be easier than achieving the mental component. Preparation is the benchmark of management. Most teams have thick files on a rival and so the preparation difference between two rival head coaches should be minimal, if not the upset bid is in serious doubt. Preparing a smart game plan is the task of the coaching staff and the duty of the players to buy into the assigned strategy. During the week the coaches must be as focused on teaching and attention to detail as the players are on practice and learning. By the end of the week players must truly believe that the preparation was superior, leaving the team in the best possible position entering the game.

The game is the payoff and this is where physical takes over. Physical mismatches rarely produce upsets between two units prepared equally. Flukes can happen, a fumble a tipped ball, an injury early to a key opponent, but to beat an opponent straight up good physical play must translate into gaining a mental advantage. Just get us to the fourth quarter and we will find a way to win is a common reaction. The longer the assigned underdog hangs in the more the outcome is achievable. There reaches a certain point where the favorite smells defeat and the underdog smells victory. The tough underdog reacts like a shark frenzy and becomes ferocious in its will to win. The favorite can step up the mental and physical toughness and right the ship, or the ship sinks with all hands on board. Above all else the underdog must avoid the temptation to become anxious about the very thought of winning. A team must be prepared to win and not focus on the possibility of losing during the critical end-game stretch.

There are tell-tale signs of a brewing upset, a potential breakpoint: the favorite displays no sense of urgency, the players walk with little purpose, the players have their hands on hips, players seek sympathy from others or by arguing calls, and the greatest sign of the upset being realized is the opponent’s heads looking straight down at the ground. The affect of such collective action is devastating and difficult, very difficult, to overcome.

When the heads go down on one side, the spirits rise on the other.

Upsets and underdogs will always hold a place of high esteem in our culture, especially regarding the domain of sports.

Written by GBMWolverine Staff

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