You're just outside field goal range and have a fourth down with even say two yards to go. The standard approach is to punt the ball. Punting will hopefully bury the opponent near the goal line and the defense will be able to keep them from moving. If you were to try for a new first down and fail, the opponent will have the ball where you are now with better field position. Your defense will be under more pressure to do their job.
The columnist looked at the statistics and declared that the perceived safety of punting from the maroon zone was just that, a perception, and a faulty one. But so many decisions are maroon zone decisions. we have a couple of options available. One might have benefits to it, but it involves some risk.
For a long time I have been an advocate of a lifestyle of adventure. That means that I typically did things that took that risk option when in the maroon zone. Drive to the airport and fly for a work trip or load up the bike and through 4 states in a snowstorm? I lived in such a way that the decision was just as easy as it was for most people. The difference was that on 4th and 2 at the 40 yard line, I went for it.
Picking the risky options required some flexibility and willingness to accept the consequences. If going for a ride across four mountain states in March, be able to make good decisions on the fly. Know when to stop and wait for the snow plows or pick a different route. Then whatever happens, deal with the consequences. Be content with a delay or changing the scenery.
People who always punt have often had a hard time underatanding my choices. My mom was always intrigued by and never really understood that side of me. But that's OK, I don't understand the other folks either.
Maroon zone decisions come in every part of our life. We constantly have to choose to play it safe or take a risk. I would dare to say that most people punt automatically nearly every time the option comes their way. Most people don't even consider going for it.
I've long encouraged people to try the risky option and live a little. I have never suggested that the risk is right for everybody every time. It's not. But often, there is no way of knowing what the benefits will be when you go for it. Barring some potential future mental frailty, I have many lifetime memories from having taken the risky option.
Yes, the maroon zone choices are easy for most of us. We don't spend long hours debating our ability to handle all the different circumstances that might come our way. We typically just lean towards the default and move on.
Nowadays as I am watching my body and abilities change, I am finding myself agonizing over what have always been simple decisions. To go back to the football analogy, I'm not comfortable with my offensive line anymore. It's their job to clear a path for the running back and I just don't have confidence anymore. So now, I'm having to develop a punting strategy.
I don't think I'll ever just simply live a safe life. I certainly hope not. But, I will be mulling things over from time to time. I'll be tossing the options around. Hopefully I'll be able to avoid feeling like I'm betraying myself when I pick the safe option.
And I want to challenge you, the reader. Mull things over once in a while. Make some different decisions. Go for it on fourth once in a while. You might just enjoy the adventure.