Each session has a preset lesson plan that the referee reads to the players as the game is set up. The players are reminded each time that the lesson is what the therapist uses to decide how likely their actions are to happen. LESSON ONE: IMPULSIVE VS. CONTROLLED It's fun to just let go - yell, scream, run, hit - very macho. But if we go too far it's like flying off a cliff. We may say we don't care but we don't like what we get. Oops! Not again!!! If I try to control myself I can avoid a lot of pain. How can I do this? When I see something I want - Move towards it slowly - don't grab. When I think of something to say - Wait for an opening in the conversation. When the opening arrives, say your peace. Try to not force it. If it doesn't fit in the conversation let it drop. When I'm angry or frustrated - I tense my muscles and stop myself. Think about what I'm doing. I don't run off a cliff. Sometimes people want to do that. I relax my muscles. Mentally I let go of my anger and focus on what I really want. THE GAME: ROMANS VS. CELTS THE ROMANS The Romans fought in groups. They were brave but they were also smart. They would give ground if need be, without shame. They would attack and retreat, again and again to tire out their opponents and wear them down. Then well rested men from the rear would sweep the barbarians from the field. THE CELTS The Celts were brave, proud barbarians who let their emotions run away with them. They fought without armor to show their courage. They fought as individuals in ferocious charges. THE GERMANS The Germans were proud passionate people who loved battle. They wore armor and fought in groups but they quickly lost control due to anger and frustration. They were impatient, which often caused them to lose. Back to Table of Contents -- Matrix Gamer #26 To Matrix Gamer List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2001 by Chris Engle. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com