This article by Bruce E. Brown of Proactive Coaching is part of the Championship Principles series and addresses the principle of opponents under the title "Respect all and fear none." It teaches that preparing for opponents demonstrates respect, that prepared teams should compete fearlessly, and that great teams ultimately compete against their own potential and against the game itself. It is from the Life Lessons #2 Proactive Coaching collection.
Introduction
Know Yourself and Know Your Opponent
"Avoid what is strong and attack what is weak. Water shapes it course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows. The warrior works out his victory in relation to the foe he is facing." – Sun Tzu