How to play Team Scrum

[stinkfingers]

First, sorry for the repost, but I thought this title might catch more eyes. Next, this is not detailed "Secrets of a Master" kinda effort. For more on that, ask Bolo. This is more of an over-view for noobs or for folks that just aren't getting it.

Without further adieu:

1) Team scrum is a team based game. It is shaped by social conventions.
2) It is dynamic and requires the players to shift roles (defender, runner, blocker, etc.)
3) Because of the above, there is a learning curve to learn how to properly play. Most players pick it up within a few months and refine it from there.
4) Occasionally a player comes along that even after a long period of time does not. This invites questions that essentially distill to these: a) Does the player not understand the game or, b) Does the player not care (i.e. prefers to flout the social conventions mentioned in 1 above, or flout the responsibility to play the required roles in 2 above). The player iBot was such a player, and I don't think we ever determined what caused him to perform the way he did.
5) The community of TS players should not and will not tolerate selfish play in TS. The community of TS players is more likely to tolerate bad play in TS.
6) The bad player therefore has two options. If you do not care for the social conventions, you should. We enjoy each others company because we cohere around the conventions of the game and enjoy the competition and the camaraderie that ensues. But if you don't care, then play Indy (option 1). You aren't wanted. If you do care but haven't quite picked up the nuances (social conventions and ever changing roles of TS) then you should decide that you will learn how to learn (option 2). This means hanging back and observing, asking for advice...opening up a dialogue. Some of the vets absolutely love to instruct others (whether the noobs like it or not). This, btw, is how most of us learned how to play. It starts, BTW in NOT CHASING THE GD FLAG.

I haven't named names, and maybe I should for fear that the player in question is so unaware that this post won't resonate. I will say this though: iBot failed to learn despite our efforts to engage with him. After a long time (too long) we finally had enough and we quit extending the benefit of the doubt. Needless to say, he ended up leaving. I hope -- oh you of the rebirth, of the Disney lion name-changes -- that you chose a different path. That you decide the community is worth your time.

[Cloud]

Vets can not tell you enough. TEAMS

Unlike TBM, each and every player plays a very important key role in the success of a scrum team. In TBM, you can perhaps be more self centered or out to achieve self success by going after smokers, doing 1 on 1's, and working separate from the team yet still achieve a victory. (Not because of your help, but because the rest of your team worked as a team) I have seen games with 3 vs 7 in which you have 3 players that are truly working as a team, and the other 7 are not working as a team, and guess what. The three person team won! That is TBM.

In TS, those three against seven wouldn't stand a chance no matter how good they are because of luck but also because of how important each person is in a team. This is the same reasoning as why it is nearly impossible to play 3 vs 4, or 4 vs 5 in TS. That is why we always have someone sit if there is an odd number of players on the map.

With that said, when you are playing even teams, such as a 4 vs 4, and one of your players on your team is being self centered, trying to take the flag for themselves to achieve personal success and not working as a team, then all your team's work is pointless. One person can ruin a team in TS. It doesn't matter if you are good or bad. I even have my bad times when I am not playing well as a team and I mess my team over. In TBM, it's not exactly the same as your team can still work well as team and succeed while perhaps one player is not working as a team (not ideal).

In my case, I know my weakness and strengths. For my example, I know I do much better at shooting than actually running the scrum. Therefore, I play more defense, helping the scrum carrier make it to the goal. I make an attempt to kill those that are in the way. Of course being a team member, if the scrum carrier is not looking so hot, I will take it from them and attempt a run. (or err, run away scared) I by no means take the scrum ball from people who are not smoking (unless instructed to) to be self centered.

While not naming any names, there are those like Stinkfingers said that either are intentionally messing around (self centered) or perhaps just don't care but let me tell you one thing. This game has been out for over 8 years. A lot of players have played most of the duration. They truly enough this game and a good challenge. In order to take that challenge on, they work as a team! These players are very skilled and when somebody intentionally takes the scrum ball from a runner who is very skilled, not smoking, it shows lack of team work eventually the cause of a game lost. That is not team work. What makes a good scrum game is working as a team to achieve success. So please do everything you can, defend, clear the goal, block and then occasionally run so others can do the same for you. You have four people on your team, possibly five. Think about what percentage you should be holding the scrum? Should it be 50%? Should it be 0%? (If 0%, then think about what you are doing? You are working very well as a team, defending, blocking, killing campers or perhaps there is somebody on your team being self centered with the flag)

Anyways, as a tip from an old scrummer, even older BMer, you can never look at your radar too much. And please don't back up. There are no rear view mirrors in Thinktanks, so driving forward as if you were driving a car would probably be more ideal. Use your reverse sparingly. (and look at the radar if you have to drive backwards)

[dad]

Wow, attack of the nerds...

[stinkfingers]

Exactly the type of anti-intellectual responses we've come to expect from BMers.

[dad]

Lol...missed ya stink, they finally let you out on work release? You guys have put more thought into playing scrum, than Obama has on how to fix our country..

Can't wait for stink to reach his golden years... We can make Grumpy Old Men 3.

Cave man out...

[stinkfingers]

Don't get me started on Obama, or any of his Goldman-Sach eating cronies. It's funny, but he was supposed to be a socialist, you remember that? He and his folks are doing their best to make me grumpy as hell. If this is socialism, Ayn Rand is the second coming.

Now, get off my GD lawn!