Disclaimer: Why? Why must I say it every time I write a chapter? Every time! TT I. Don't. Own. Harry. I would like to, but I don't. And these stupid disclaimers keep reminding me that I don't!
The Hogwarts Intranet Quidditch Page -- Discussion
Quidditch History Team Information Player Information Current Standings Discussion
Discussion -- Opinion
The Role of the Seeker
There has always been a lot of emphasis placed on the importance of a team's seeker. Reference to the seeker as the most important position is largely undisputed. Since the first game to use any form of golden snitch, when both team in their entirety raced after the small golden bird, the position of seeker has been placed high in our minds.
After an amazing win, who's held up on the shoulders of their teammates? It doesn't matter if the rest of the team played poorly; if the seeker catches the snitch, the game is not thought of as a complete loss. Remember the Quidditch World Cup match Bulgaria vs. Ireland three years ago? Though Ireland won, the Bulgarian seeker, Victor Krum, had captured the snitch. Krum was the one on everyone's mind that night.
In this little golden ball is virtually the fate of the game; in an overwhelming majority of all matches, the team whose seeker captures the golden snitch wins. This puts a lot of stress captures the golden snitch wins. This puts a lot of stress on the seeker. If a beater doesn't perform his job as was as he should, it is generally overlooked, except, perhaps, by the team's captain. Now, if a seeker does not perform, there is barely a person who doesn't know. And considering the position of seeker is arguably the most difficult, a seeker can not be expected to be at the top of his or her game all of the time.
The role of seeker is played up far too much. The team, nor its image, should ride on this one position. They are one of seven, all of whom work equally hard. They are no more talented than any of the other players. Even though all eyes are on them when they go streaking after the snitch, they are just doing the best they can. We, as spectators, should keep this in mind the next time out favorite team's seeker missed what seemed to you as an easy catch.
Signed,
MidnightDragon
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To: MidnightDragon
From: Mr. Average
Subject: The Role of the Seeker
Dear MidnightDragon,
I have just read your article entitled "The Role of the Seeker," and I have this to say: you got it all wrong. The seeker's position is more difficult than the rest; it takes more patience and precision to be an accomplished seeker than it does to be any of the other positions. This is not unfair to the seeker, however, since more rests on him, as you said. The harder the task at hand, the more one should have to work. And since there in more riding on the seeker's shoulders, it only makes sense that there would be added stress. It sounds like the seeker you had in mind when writing this is not fit to be a seeker; players of any sport should not let the stress get to them in such a way that it affects their performance.
In conclusion, I remark on your conclusion. The stress from a missed catch or otherwise flawed performance should be used by that player to embolden then to do better the next time they play. Unless someone tells them they did something wrong, they will continue to make the same mistakes. Failure can always be turned to success.
Mr. Average