Is Change That Difficult?

by Russell Tibbits

I recently read an article about a unique high school football team in California. While the typical offense contains linemen, wide receivers, tight ends, running backs and a quarterback, Piedmont High School lines up with, what is in essence, 11 wide receivers on the field. This offensive formation is known as the A-11 and causes nightmares for a defense because almost every offensive player on the field can run, throw or catch the ball on any given play. Could you imagine a giant defensive lineman trying to cover a wide receiver 20 yards down field? In fact, the A-11 has been causing so many headaches for opposing defenses that the national organization in charge of high school football is thinking of banning this type of play, considering it “unsportsmanlike” and “deceiving.” What’s interesting to note is that this style of offense, just a variation of a style many schools already run, is completely legal. So why is it being banned?

A friend and I discussed the genius behind this style of offense. And while I’d love to talk about this at length, what really struck me is that we couldn’t find one reason why the A-11 was being banned, other than it is just too difficult to defend and opposing coaches don’t want to deal with it. It made me sad for the coach who designed it and the kids who participated in something groundbreaking. But it made me sad to realize that, in some way, we all do this. We hate appearing weak or flawed. We fight change, even if it makes us stronger, smarter and faster. We resist ideas that may make us better so that we can continue with familiar actions. Often times, we choose short-term comfort over long-term improvements.

I wonder where I would be if I was always resistant to change? And where would I be if I never feared change? But I also wonder where our country would be if we didn’t fear change. And maybe the more painful question is where is our country headed if we don’t change?