Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Many times playing hockey, I feel like I am in Odysseus’ position between a rock and a hard place. As a goalie, I am put up against more pressure than many other athletes. The fate of an entire game can be placed upon the shoulders of a goalie, just like the fate of Odysseus’ ship, crew, and life is placed upon his shoulders as he chose which obstacle he wanted to face. We both have very little time to make important choices that could make or break all of our hard work, and the hard work of everyone around us who is more often than not, close to us emotionally. This makes most people buckle under pressure, and sometimes I do. I often become scared of the potential consequences if one of my split second decisions is off, just like Odysseus, though my consequences for messing up are not near as dire, extreme, or dangerous as his. Sometimes, I may have more choices than Odysseus had when he was sailing on his quest, but sometimes, on a loose puck I need to decide if I will play the puck or if I will just get ready and play the puck either as my defense gets it or the forward shoots. It can bring fourth tough choices being between a rock and hard place, as Odysseus, or as a hockey goalie, but more often than not people think choices through and make the better decision.