Concerted, Coordinated, Synchronized

By no means is the first incident spectacular, thrilling or even interesting (to the reader). However, if you have the same opinion about the second one, you're just letting the good things in life pass you by.

Yesterday, B and I, drove to C's place to pick something up. Situation demanded that we drive our own cars, and situation further demanded that the something that needed to be picked up, needed to be driven back to my place in C's pickup. So, there we were, three of us, each with our own vehicle, ready to drive back to my place. C indicated that he would lead us to the freeway taking an easier route (which B and I did not know), after which we had to take over since C did not know the route to my place. The idea was to stay in visual contact with each other through the drive to avoid any frantic calls on a mobile phone.

From C's place, we had to negotiate quite a few STOP signs and a couple of traffic lights before we got to the freeway. Inspite of a few cars getting between the three cars at various points, through some routine manoeuvers, we managed to enter the ramp in the order C, B and I. Now, we had about 5 miles of freeway to pass before taking the exit to my place. Being a Fri evening, none of us were in any mood to spend too much time on this effort. So, as soon as we got onto the freeway, B charged past C and sped away. Taking the cue, I shifted lanes, passed C and set off in pursuit of B, while maintaining a watch on C. C got the message loud and clear and kept up comfortably. All this at a very routine 75 - 80 mph. There was quite a bit of traffic, thus requiring intermittent lane changes. And as the middle man, I was very aware of the positions of B and C.

Whenever B changed lanes, I followed suit. It was not necessary, but at that point, I was already aware of the co-ordinated movement that we were producing and wanted to maintain it. C did the same to ensure proximity. Proceeding in this manner, we reached the destination without a blip. At the end of this distinctly mundane affair, I felt a certain elation that lingered well into the evening. It got me thinking...

Early Saturday, I managed to catch some of the the Premiership action thanks to Fox Sports Network. Even as I was watching the game between two midtable teams as a complete neutral, I found it hard not to jump out of the couch every time a slick passing move culminated in a shot on goal. The game ended nil-nil but the 40 mins spent watching it sure brightened the weekend. Having had to recently defend football's austere scorelines to a suckup for instant gratification, I thought some more...

Often, the highlights of a football game consist of a couple of brilliant touches followed by that all-important almighty kick that sends the ball into the back of the net. A virgin viewer is enthralled by this piece of action and gets hooked on to the game. I remember lapping up '120 top goals of the year' telecast on Star Sports. Another highlight of the game is that inch perfect pass (for those who are not aware, that is David Beckam's claim to fame on the field) that feeds the striker who lurks in the D.

There is another play in this game that often, does not find itself on the highlights package (unless it results in a goal) . That happens during a counter-attack, when the ball is picked up by a midfielder or better, one of the central defenders. At which point, the wingers on both the flanks are already tearing down the field with unrestrained aggression. The forwards too get their momentum going goalward. From this moment on, with the opposition scurying back to position ready to disrupt this symphony, it is all about imagination and creativity allied to the breathtaking skills lying at each man's feet. As the midfielder skips past his marker and ventures deep into enemy territory, the forward senses blood. He pushes further and further while careful not to fall foul of the offside trap. The wingers too are embarking on a mazy run trying to create space. Just when it appears that the midfielder has nothing to offer and is about to send out a pass to the left more in hope than anything else, there is a blur to the right wearing the same jersey and somehow, the ball is already at his feet. Surprise lasts for half a second (lasts longer for the viewer), with the defender already ready to show who's boss, but the ball is delicately threaded through the non-existent space to the forward, who has timed the run past his marker with millisecond precision. The ball at his feet, the goalkeeper and the goal at his mercy, he sends it on its way with precisely calculated speed and swerve. Alas, just to send out a loud and clear "If only it were that easy" message, the ball hits the inside of the post, rolls across the face of the goal and is picked up by the defender. The collective sigh of the crowd hangs in the air for the next 20 seconds and not a soul is in his seat. Neither am I. There is something about concerted, coordinated, synchronized movement...

Gather a couple of pals, strap on your seatbelts and experience it yourself. DRIVE SAFE!