Smell's Hockey

Episode 1: Panic

The ball is in the goal mouth. A flurry of activity. The goal-keeper off-balance. There is a goal for the taking. In the middle of three defenders is a young player, Jesse. The coach, Zembo, said that Jesse could have a great future. Jesse’s parents watch Jesse in every match tell Jesse how important it is to win. Jesse desperately want the coach and parents to be proud. But it feels that they always demand success–above all, to WIN. “Be desperate, Jesse!” says Zembo. “Give it everything you’ve got, Jesse,” say the parents.

Now, the chance has come. The ball is there. Jesse is in position. Jesse is gripped by a powerful emotion. This is Jesse’s chance. Jesse will bring honour to the parents and to Zembo the coach. Jesse freezes. The biffo team, the roughest opponents, take the ball and clear it. As the ball is cleared, Thug, a Biffo defender, sneers at Jesse and hisses, “Loser!”

After the match, Zembo demands why Jesse did not score the goal when the chance was there. Jesse’s parents say that if only Jesse had scored that goal, it would have won the match.

What has gone wrong? Do superior performers keep their composure under pressure? Can parents help–or hinder? Can Jesse learn to stay calm under pressure? Can hockeydog help?