If you stand on the sidelines at a rugby match, “with you” are two of the words you’ll hear the players saying to one another most often. The off sides law is a reason for this.
In rugby, the off sides law state that all of the players on the team with the ball must be behind the person who is carrying the ball. This means, that unlike American football, there is no blocking. In fact, if an offensive player comes between a defender and the person with the ball, he or she is assessed a penalty for obstruction.
You might be asking “if you can’t block, or even shield the ball carrier, how do you support him or her?” The answer is simple – you support the ball carrier by being “with” him or her. The ideal supporting position is approximately four or five yards to the right or left of, and a step or step and a half behind the ball carrier.
This creates two very good options for the ball carrier. As a defender is approaching and about to tackle the ball carrier, he or she can pass to the person in support. Or, the ball carrier can “dummy” the defender – fake a pass to the person in support and continue running up the pitch. If you are familiar with American football, the option play is based on a similar concept.
Rugby is a fluid game with possession changing frequently. Therefore, supporting the ball carrier is absolutely necessary for success. That’s why you will see rugby players running very hard to get into the ideal supporting position and calling out “with you” once they are there. In this way, they are letting the ball carrier know that they are in position and that he or she has the option of passing to them, or dummying the opposition and continue to run with the ball.
In my career, I’ve learned the value of supporting my colleagues and coworkers. I find the right supporting position, and then I let them know I am there if needed. On the rugby pitch, when the ball carrier hears “with you”, he or she knows that his or her teammate is in the appropriate supporting position and that he or she can pass the ball to him or her. On good rugby teams, the level of trust is high, because the players know they can count on one another to “be there” when they say they are. Everybody focuses on doing his or her job, because they have the faith that all of their teammates are doing theirs.
The same is true in business. The best way to support a colleague or coworker is to just do your job. In this way, your colleagues have the confidence that comes from knowing that you will be in position to accept the handoff when the time comes.
Practice “being there” -- in the right supporting position – for your colleagues and coworkers. If you do, you’ll earn there trust, and a trust is the basis of all successful work and life relationships.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
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Posted by: Mel Richardson | May 17, 2007 at 10:02 PM