And if you do not fire it will punish you.
The Silver Ferns know that all too well after losing the third quarter 21-9 that ultimately led to their 68-51 demise against the Australian Diamonds in the second Constellation Cup test on Wednesday.
Nine goals in a quarter is never good enough at this level, but what made it more disappointing was the Silver Ferns fought back in the second to trail 30-28 at halftime.
They won the second quarter 15-11 — the first quarter they have won outright this series — and showed some improvements during that period.
But it was not enough and the game followed a similar story as the opening test in Melbourne.
The Diamonds put the foot down and ran away with a 24-11 final quarter to win 69-52.
The Silver Ferns held their own for much of that game, but started to slide by the end of the third and once the Diamonds get a roll on, there is no stopping the world championships.
Now the Silver Ferns return home and must step things up a gear if they have any chance of retaining the Constellation Cup.
They host the Diamonds in Hamilton tomorrow afternoon and if the Diamonds win, the trophy is heading back across the Ditch.
Interim captain Karin Burger acknowledged there was outside noise — including the standing down of coach Noeline Taurua — "clogging our brains".
"But it’s high performance sport. We have to suck it up — we have to do it," Burger said.
"Obviously, knowing for us there’s a lot of emotions going on in the background that we have to deal with ...
"But it is what it is. We can’t get stuck on that, and frustrating as it is that we’re not winning games at the moment, we’ve got to bib up again in the next game."
Burger said they were in "uncharted territory" losing consecutive games and needed to improve across the court.
Mentally they needed to remain switched on and the experienced group needed to take a step up to lead.
"Experience helps when we do have that on court, knowing regardless of what the score is you just have to keep fighting. You’ve got to keep battling it out.
"Obviously, some areas on court we’ve lost a lot of experience ... and I think that’s where the rest of us need to stand up and actually pull through."
The Diamonds defenders put Grace Nweke under enormous pressure in test two and it rattled the linchpin under the post.
Southern Steel shooter Georgia Heffernan was injected at goal attack, drove hard and made some good impact to help bring the ball through.
The Silver Ferns name a 12-strong squad tonight and so far, they have opted to remain with four attacking midcourters in the mix.
In test one they dropped Parris Mason, leaving only Burger as traditional goal defence cover, and in test two they dropped shooter Amelia Walmsley, who may have been an asset.
One midcourter must be dropped for this third test for the Silver Ferns to accommodate another shooter in the squad.
Three options have also been tested at wing attack and it might be time to see what Maddy Gordon could do in there as well. She had a strong domestic season where she slotted across to fill injuries.
Gordon has been strong at centre, but Kate Heffernan could provide the extra height they need as well.
They have to find a better entry into the circle and shut down the Diamonds defenders, specifically Courtney Bruce’s physicality.
Sophie Garbin has dominated under post for the Diamonds as well. She has slotted 76 goals from 85 attempts across the opening two tests, but her dominant hold and aerial jump allows her prime spot close to the hoop.
The Diamonds had 10 intercepts to the Silver Ferns three, and out-rebounded the Silver Ferns 14 to eight, in the second test.
The Silver Ferns must find a way to get more ball — and that must start tomorrow.
