Play the way you're facing

In football as in business, playing what’s in front of you is a strategy for success.

The ball’s at my feet. I’ve just taken a touch to control things but I know a defender is coming for me, soon.

I look up, there are two options in front of me. One teammate is running the line and the second is coming towards me asking for the ball.

A third player - behind me - is screaming for the ball too. For him it all makes sense. But I can’t see him, and I don’t know what’s there. I could back heel it fast and hope my execution is right, and secondly hope that the player behind me hasn’t called in error. I could take another touch to turn around and then pass to this third player once I’ve assessed it’s wise to do so.

Or I could play the way I’m facing.

If my team plays what’s in front of them, we’ll win.

A full team playing this way creates fast, fluent football. It’s often one touch, pass and move stuff by nature. It’s easier to do than anything else, and when you trust your mates will do the same it gets even easier. There are no uninformed choices, there are no delays in action.

In business, the same concept applies.

Your product is loved by a certain type of customer. The case studies are there, along with the metrics to back up your success. You can push forward - play the way you’re facing - and make your product even more loved for this proven customer.

Or, you can pivot and decide to take another touch, turn around and play to someone screaming from a more unfamiliar direction.

That’ll require research, repositioning of your business and most important of all - time. There is no pace and fluidity to a major pivot in play.

Taking on the tricky back heel because someone is screaming may work.

But I’ll leave that for others, I’ve played on enough winning teams to know what’s best.

Play the way you’re facing.