Playing up - Playing back

I have been preaching to you for a couple of years now that there is a difference between playing "defense" and playing "back". Playing defense can not be used to mean a player whose position is in the defensive third of the field. I'm sure you can all repeat me with the mantra, "We all play offense when we have the ball and we all play defense when we give up possesion."

Now with that out of the way I wanted to talk a little bit about the the difference in the mentality of the player positioned in the back. The picture above is a perfect visual of the difference between players playing back and those playing up top. The two in the foreground play in the back while the sparkling clean player in the background plays up top. Players in the back are generally hard working, blue collar types, not seeking glory or fame and not afraid to get dirty. Their joy comes from getting stuck in and knowing in their heart that without them there is no chance for the team to succeed. Their motivation is internal rather than external. The player in the back doesn't look outside himself for the confidence to perform. It's a good thing too, because the reality of the situation is the player in the back can have the performance of the season, but get turned in the 89th minute, give up a goal and become the"goat". Now the player up top can have his worst game of the season, miss several "sitters", get lucky with a toe poke in the 89th minute and become the hero. The world is not fair, but the guy in the back knows in his heart that "Offense puts people in the seats while defense wins championships."

Here's a video for those playing in the back