I was out of earshot when the fight first started in practice the other day. These old bones were taking a knee on the sideline getting some much needed water and eating a Twix bar when all the shoving started. I immediately ran over to see what was going on and try to break things up, when I heard someone on the offense say they were a right Twix guy. The whole defense was immeasurably upset, as we are very much in the left Twix camp. I know at the end of the day we are all teammates and need to put aside our differences, but that was just too much for us to handle in the heat of the moment. I mean, right Twix?? Who is this guy kidding? The shoving and insults were traded back and forth as things continued to escalate. For a moment, it looked like things were going to get ugly but thankfully coached stepped in. He said, "you idiots are all really fighting over which side of a Twix bar is best? Who even cares, Reese's Cups are better than both regardless". Coach always knew the right thing to say and this was no exception. Reese's Cups really are the best. Both sides were able to agree on this and the argument seems resolved for now. I'm worried that something like this might happen again, though. I mean, what if Andrew Witten suggests that Almond Joys or Mounds are a good candy bar? I'm afraid that will be a fight that won't be as easily resolved.
06-21-2021, 03:41 PM
(This post was last modified: 06-21-2021, 03:41 PM by PhreshPhil.)
SHL Affiliate
Username: Philip3242
Cedric Wilkins II is just a bit too new to the London Royals to be of much use in squashing locker room drama, so for this prompt, we'll turn to my seasoned veteran, Bubba Thumper. The hefty defensive tackle is something of a gentle giant, certainly not the type to be involved in the fighting himself, but he has also established himself as a locker room leader the past thirteen seasons, and, even after four seasons with the New York Silverbacks, he seems to hold great sway with his Colorado Yeti teammates, possibly due to his experience in the league, but more likely due to his generally friendly nature. Bubba has lived with an understanding that conflict, even among teammates, is natural, and punishing players for their scuffles, he believes, is an unhelpful approach to the problem. So, rather than allow the front office to take action through fines, he offers his services as a mediator alongside his work as a pseudo defensive coordinator. Bubba is quick to pull frustrated players from the huddle, letting the rest of the team continue their work will he helps guide the players through resolving their differences, or at least understanding their teammate's position. This makes it so nobody essential to running practice has to step aside from their clipboard to deal with the issue, nor does the conflict sit to fester until one player explodes and the debate comes to blows.
The Yellowknife Wraiths play in the freezing Northwest Territories in Canada. Do i need to say anything else? Do you really think there is a lot to do there? Obviously not. So that is why fights are common and highly encouraged by everyone in the organization, as mean to pass some time in a place that has nothing to do.
So, fights breaking out are not even newsworthy anymore. But due to this common occurrence, players and coaches decided to take this to another level. So, they have created the YKWWWE, where they organize a bunch of different type of matches. 2 offensive lineman decide to throw some fists? Yeah, they get jumped by everyone else, stripped naked and then they fight until one of them quits. The QB gets hit in practice and wants to kick the LB ass? No problem, lets get a kiddy pool filled with jelly and throw them both in to fight it off. Of course, you are probably thinking, is there betting involved? Duh. That is where Cue Jr. comes in. His involvement is to help instigate fights and keep score of the bets his teammates do. Do you want any more team bonding? Because it is not possible at all. (207 words) S30 DSFL Pro Bowl - S33 ISFL Pro Bowl - S39 ISFL All-Pro 2nd Team
Peak TPE: 1354
Here in Philadelphia, we have a lot of personality. It doesn’t often turn into blows, but from time to time, arguments can blossom into other ways of voicing your differing opinions. Most notably, the first person to jump in to try to break up an altercation is Tsuyu Asui. She’s always hopping around – “this isn’t the right thing to do, I don’t want to be caught up in this, why can we not just have a nice bowl of ramen?” The youngest player, Chevvy Bronko, doesn’t really throw punches, he just will run you over with a hockey-like shoulder check, and then boom, you are ass over teakettle. Ryan Negs doesn’t partake in the pugilistic activities; he just sits back in the locker room and pulls his aviator sunglasses down and watches. It is kind of weird, to be frank. In addition to Asui’s hopping to the rescue, Jimi DeSoto takes a quick moment to put down his handle of bourbon to assess the situation. He marches in, all leader like, and just grabs the two combatants by the collar and drags them apart. “Is it out of your system now? Are we done here?”, the typical dad stuff, you know?
Conflict requires action. I remember hanging out at Islands Restaurant, Rancho Cucamonga, when our team's vice captain had a few too many drinks and got into an altercation with a visiting high school who was interested in joining the team. Our vice captain, Mr. F, got a little "wet" with his beverages and threw punches at this young man who intended to play the same position as Mr. F and thought it would be funny to say that he was excited to improve the position next year. As a man of action, and immeasurable strength, I broke the fight up but then made it a priority to speak to each party individually. Why did you act the way you did? Did you consider how this would impact the other person? How do you think you should have behaved? What do you want to communicate to the other party now that you've thought through this incident? Such simple questions, but when posed to the individual, allow for remarkable revelations. The two quickly made up and Mr. F took the incoming freshman under his arm over the off season. Individual deep dives always go far in resolving conflict. Conflict between individuals cannot be resolved if conflict within an individual is not resolved first. That is how I resolve conflict between teammates. I'm sizzling.
|
|