Match Diesel

Back to the Basics

2008-07-21T11:17:00.012-04:00

Recently, I was doing some research for my Ironside (Boston Ultimate) article and I did an interview with Jim Parinella. Given my suspect history with Boston, I really wanted to get it right this time, so I pulled out all the stops. However, in discussing a variety of topics with Jim, something really stuck out for me and I wanted to discuss it here.

I asked Jim about changes that have occurred in ultimate during his playing tenure and two things that he seemed to notice were that 1) there is a much larger prevalence of the "athletic big guy" in the sense that the bigger, more jock like athlete has become more popular on ultimate teams and 2) teams seem to rely on this kind of play more, in the sense that raw athletic power, speed, and strength are more useful now, potentially more so than overall mental ability. Jim spoke fondly of DoG days where the team was very smart and understood spacing and movement over pure speed and I wonder if those days are long gone?

This got me thinking a fair amount because I was one of those guys that didn't have the varsity athletic set that a lot of players have nowadays, but that doesn't necessarily mean that people like myself cannot compete at the highest level. What separates the elite from the novice in ultimate (and most sports) is not a 40 time, or a vertical, but your understanding of the game and your ability to integrate your mental acuity and your physical execution. A good cut is a good cut whether it comes from a Beau like athlete or a heavy set old timer. Conversely, no amount of athleticism in the world can compensate for a clumsy cut and despite the fact that we all might like emphasizing track workouts and lifting, fundamentals and mechanics cannot be stressed enough.

In addition to this tangent associated with Boston Ultimate, I was also invited to visit the National Ultimate Training Camp (NUTC), held in Northfield, MA by the director, Tiina Booth. I had been curious about this organization for some time and considering that I had just spoken with one of the game's best regarding the average intelligence of players, I thought now would be a good time to check out the Rolls Royce of Ultimate training environments. Yesterday (Sunday), I made the trip up to NUTC and I wanted to share some of my thoughts regarding the development of fundamentals and the camp experience overall.

Camp Experience

NUTC may be an ultimate camp, but it is still a camp. Tiina, George Cooke and the counselor crew have really done a fantastic job of not only educating these youngsters regarding ultimate, but they have also provided a safe and secure camp experience. I did the camp thing a ton when I was growing up and have had every experience from the very popular kid all the way to the excluded fat kid with no friends. Avoiding the later is something that every camp should do, but many people slip through the cracks. The fact that this is a sport based camp makes this even more difficult. Naturally, the more athletically gifted participants will draw more attention, will have an easier time developing confidence and will probably enjoy the experience more. However, those that are not as coordinated, experienced or athletic, may have trouble hitting their stride and with a week long overnight camp, this can be an incredibly fearful experience. Considering the age group of these kids (13-17), the far reaching implications of this experience can be very damaging if things go poorly and I know from experience that a bad week at 13 or 15 or whatever can really stick with you the rest of your life.

That being said, Tiina and Company have really done a fantastic job of avoiding these circumstances. First off, they really stress the break up of social cliques. Obviously schools like Amherst and Paidea are going to be represented highly and this can easily set up social islands and what not. In addition, solid ultimate programs throughout the country also have this affect and right off the bat, players can/will gravitate to those that are like them. This is a situation that most camp administrators would like to avoid and NUTC really does a great job.

First off, they really focus on dividing up the kids constantly. There are several rounds of reorganization that involve what floor kids are sleeping on and what team they play for. Two players might have different sleeping arrangements and be on different teams at first but player shuffling occurs often and new teams are picked half way through the week. With this sort of blending, campers are constantly re-directed and poor social infrastructure (ie cliques or bullies) really have a tough time manifesting.

Secondly, a major source of social control comes from the counselors. I don't even need to mention how sterling these folks are but when your camp has instructors like Miranda Roth, Andrew Hollingworth, Sam and Patrick Roberts, Adam Fagin, George Stubbs, etc.. it becomes really easy for campers to respect their leaders. Tiina accentuates this, not only by having a camper/counselor game (where the kids get pwned) but also by having posters describing the ultimate resume that each of these players has, inside the dorm. The reason this is so important, is that campers need to respect their leaders, not only for directional purposes but because they will emulate their behavior. It becomes "cool" to follow appropriate social trends like encouragement and inclusion and each counselor, in addition to being amazingly talented, really emphasizes team spirit, equal opportunity, and camaraderie between players. Things like poor language and verbal abuse are very taboo and this sets up a very comfortable environment for those that need it. I was one of these kids that could have benefited from this and it was really nice to see a camp environment where horror stories that I have in my past, could not develop.

Lastly, it seems like the best way to organize these kids (and this goes for most kids) is to run them into the ground. NUTC may be a young camp but it is a well oiled machine. Every 30 min time slot is filled with drills, scrimmages, and sprints. These kids come for fun but they get a workout in the process. Judging from the age group, I would have expected a fair amount of night time shenanigans, but Tiina and George shrugged, "they are too exhausted to cause trouble". These kids hit the ground running at day break and by 10pm every night they are absolutely comatose and it is easy to see that they are getting their money's worth.

Fundamental Emphasis

The more obvious theme I observed while visiting NUTC was their fundamental emphasis. Everyday begins with a 630am wake up call and by 8, all the kids are cleated up and drilling. I was only a witness to throwing, cutting, marking, and dump/swing drills but these kids also participate in offensive strategy clinics, defensive positioning, and zone O/D discussions. All in all, what most college freshman learn in the Fall (outside throwing because these kids already have flicks) is picked up in about 4 days at NUTC. This is a fairly tall order, but as most know, kids are like sponges at this age and the only thing more prominent than their skill development, is their desire to simply play better.

What I really liked about this camp is that it is on the counselors to put together a training program that can be taught to every camper from the fastest to the slowest. With this in mind, things like pure athletic ability must be weeded out. Basic cutting fundamentals are meticulously practiced and drilled and considering who is doing the educating, these kids are getting the best possible start to their ultimate careers. In addition, elements to the game that involve a more cerebral approach, such as where to set up one's cut or even posture and foot work, are stressed in great detail and this is great to see. With this sort of approach, all campers improve their game and each participant gains confidence throughout the week.

Watching all of this go down really made me think about what Jim was saying about mental ability in this game. With programs like Wisconsin and Florida being so athletically developed, I feel like youngsters that pick up a disc Freshman year of college are really getting the wrong message. I feel like so many people fail to realize that their weaknesses are not their speed or even their jumping ability, but more their fundamentals. I have played in places where my 6 years of experience is at the top and bottom of the average persons and I can say that teaching fundamentals and basics in this game cannot be stressed enough. I feel bad for college kids that hit the track incessantly because they feel it will improve their game, but most of the time, simply focusing that energy on the details of Ultimate would be a better use of time.

What really sucks is that most programs that need this sort of shift in focus are coachless (or poorly coached) and no one is really there to tell them what they are lacking. Most of the time, these programs are short sighted and try and get youngsters to use their legs on defense in the hopes of improving single season performance, but in the end you have 2nd and 3rd year players with atrocious skill sets. To make matters worse, players that are 18 or 19 years old really don't have the patience to focus on the details of their game, and bad habits have a tendency to show up easily. Young players simply want to play and a lot of the time that can lead to issues if good leadership is lacking. Both Tiina and George told me that the main goal of NUTC is to teach good habits and attempt to work out bad ones and their week long program does just that.

My only regret is that I won't be there to see these kids at full speed in the tournament which culminates the whole camp experience. However, Tiina has assured me that it is top notch and I am inclined to believe her. There were definitely some grade A flatballers out there yesterday and I wonder if I witnessed a future Moses Rifikin or Miranda Roth in the making. Only time will tell, but for night now, these kids are just happy to run around with each other

The Future?
I suppose with things like NUTC, the future of ultimate is in good hands. I have played with so many different types of players and I know that a lot of them would have benefited from things like this, hell they could still use it today. I like that Ultimate is moving towards the training camp setting because that is something that most mainstream sports have. Tiina has really done a fantastic job and hopefully, players that come up through these sorts of camps will realize their value and start some of them on their own. Having a widespread fundamental knowledge base in our sport will drastically improve the level of play, especially at the college level. More programs will be able to climb out of their respective cellars and begin to challenge established powerhouses that have stressed fundamentals for decades.

However, the one thing I wonder about, and Tiina and George both agreed with me, is how these camps will be run. NUTC is a utopia in that campers are taken care of very well and given the relatively small number of participants (~90), this is possible. However, if camps were to spring up like this in the future, the attention to detail can potentially diminish. Camps are all different and some are better than others. A hundred NUTCs scattered across the US would be nice, but camps with other objectives in mind (ie money) could fall short. The dynamics of NUTC are very amazing, and despite the fact that they seem intuitive and straightforward, putting together these pieces to give every kid the best experience is no easy task. The amount of work and focus all these directors and counselors put into the camp experience is astronomical and it is not surprising that these poor folks are just as tired as the kids come days end. If the model that Tiina has developed can be put to good use, I can imagine a bright future for ultimate players. However, without the same attention to detail and commitment to excellence, many kids will be discouraged from our sport and we will see an enriching of the jock mentality, something ultimate has fought since it's inception.

Closing Thoughts
The people in Northfield are really what make this camp experience work. Kids like Hollingworth and Stubbs were campers themselves and having them come back just reaffirms the purest intentions that Tiina started out with. Likewise, the brilliance of this camp is that folks outside the New England system routinely come in and share their knowledge. It was a pleasure to finally meet and talk with Miranda Roth and she really did a fantastic job bringing in the Seattle cutting strategy to NUTC. Despite the fact that her box drill lacked a disc for a significant amount of time, the lessons concerning timing and simply valuing the disc were well received by these eager youngsters. Hopefully they have the capacity to spread their newly acquired knowledge in an equally effective manner.

I also wanted to thank the directors once again. Tiina and George are really great people. I really enjoy people with a great deal of depth and Tiina and George are definitely that. Yes Tiina has coached Amherst to greatness and developed a fantastic camp like NUTC, but if you take those things away from her, she still is fun to talk to. Likewise with George. It is always easy to like people for their talents, but in talking with each, it is obvious that they bring a lot to the table and at no point do either of them feel superior. We are all Ultimate junkies and they both did a great job of making me feel comfortable in this experience. I don't need to advertise for NUTC because it's reputation speaks for itself, but I can say that the experience they give their campers, top to bottom, is one that will help them in their ultimate progression, as well as the sport itself, for years to come.

just my thoughts

match diesel

Sockeye Invite Preview

2008-07-09T17:57:00.007-04:00

One of the biggest ultimate tournaments this summer is also the smallest. Only 7 teams are set to descend on Monroe, WA this weekend but the results will have far reaching implications for Worlds and the UPA series. Instead of ECC in August this year, we have Sockeye Invite in July and each team attending this barn burner has a lot to gain and a lot to lose. Lets take a look at each team according to their seed.

Condors

Santa Barbara has slowly been slipping out of the elite discussion since they last made the Finals in 2003. Since they earned their Team USA status for Finland, the Condors have yet to really challenge the top 4-8 teams in the country. In 2004 they lost in quarters on DGP to Pike and they have yet to make it back to the elite 8. For the last few years they have hovered around 9-11th place and it is only a matter of time before another team in the Southwest brings the pressure of "not making nationals". Since '03 they have seen some serious departures with long time Santa Barbara greats like Greg Husak, Mike Namkung and Brandon Steets all moving to Jam. Likewise, JD Lobue is now playing for Bravo and periodic pickups like Jimmy Chu and Idaho have left the team for a more lucrative opportunity in Seattle.

Steve Dugan is more or less the core of this team and despite his efforts, the program has not produced like it once did. I think this has something to do with the fact that Black Tide has failed to remain as contenders in the Southwest. To make matters worse even when they were at their recent best in '04, players like Asa Wilson did not suit up for the Condors in the Club season. I can remember back in college when we feared Asa big time but despite his amazing cutting ability, composure and defense, he played co-ed out of college with Gendors and then Rival. Now Chain gets his talents and will be looking to Asa to fill the void that players like Grant Lindsley and George Stubbs have left behind.

However, the main thing going for Santa Barbara is their reputation. This helps them both locally and abroad. In Southern California, players will come up from LA to play with the Condors which makes sense considering the draw that a nationals level team has. Abroad, they can always count on TDs to let them into tournaments like Labor Day, ECC and Elite Colorado Cup which allows them to continually compete with the best. However, Santa Barbara really could use some big wins. They picked up DLK who will be a valuable handler and defender, and they do have the experience to make Nationals again this year but I think they are going to have to get their motor running if they want to avoid oblivion. Sockeye Invite is definitely a chance to do this and if they can secure a win against a team like Furious or Revolver, they can show once again, that they still have what it takes to win in Sarasota. However, if they fail to compete with the best West Coast teams, I would expect another mid level finish in October. Even if they beat teams like Voodoo, Rhino or PoNY, they still won't have the knowledge that they are a quarters team. They'll have other chances at CC and Labor Day, but I think it is time for them to either re-secure their spot at the elite table or get comfortable with the idea that their elite days are numbered.

PoNY
This team reminds me a lot of UCSD when I was there, close to making nationals year in and year out but continually stuck behind regional Juggernaut, Boston, and whatever the Canadians put together. I think the Northeast has 3 bids this year because GOAT and Boston both made quarters and with this extra bid, PoNY can get comfortable with the idea that Nationals is whithin their grasp. However, Bodhi has really begun to make some noise and it will be a battle of youth vs experience this Fall.

The main advantage PoNY has over Bodhi is reputation which they have cashed in with 3 tournament opportunties that Bodhi doesn't have, 1) Sockeye Invite 2) Elite Chesapeake and 3) Labor Day. It would appear that the main goal for PoNY is just to be competitive at this tournament. Jody, BVH, Bailey and the rest of these guys are taking a big risk signing on for these West Coast tournaments because these are squads they have never really played against, especially considering that they haven't made Nationals. They definitely have the individual experience with guys BVH playing with DoG and Bailey with Twisted Metal and Pike. However, as a unit, the overall team experience is very heterogeneous.

With that in mind, it seems like the main goal for NY is to begin to close the gaps between team mates. Even if they go 0-7, they still need to collectively gel as unit and Sockeye Invite will be a great opportunity for this. Teams like Revolver and Sockeye will play at a pace PoNY hasn't really seen before and hopefully they will pick up the lessons they need to be competitive later this year. I don't see them (or any team for that matter) going 0-7 because I think they have a shot at Rhino, Voodoo and maybe the Condors. Any win at this level will be a bonus because each team has a lot of experience either at Nationals or against Nationals level competition. If they can get a big win or at least prevent the 15-7 losses, they will gain some much needed confidence that will help them secure a bid out of the Northeast this October.

Voodoo

Now this is a team I know basically nothing about. I am aware that one of the Titcombs runs the team and they are more or less a feeder team for Sockeye. However, as an experienced B-team player and after seeing teams like Twisted Metal come and go, I can imagine how frustrating this sort of label can be. No matter how hard you work or what wins you secure, you are still pigeon holed because of the team above you. Now I highly doubt that there is any friction between Sockeye or Voodoo but I can also imagine that a lot of the Voodoo guys have come to grips with the fact that they aren't going to play for Sockeye and instead of constantly looking up, they should start looking forward.

With that being said, Sockeye Invite is really Voodoo's opportunity to break past the feeder team label. Much the way Kaos/Revolver has done in the Bay Area since '04 (maybe even before), with the right pieces it doesn't matter how good your surrounding teams are, if you put together a motivated bunch of flatballers, you can compete. If Voodoo can secure a big win, they will not only have the knowledge that they are better than just a "triple A team" but their reputation abroad will improve. I know that because Boston and Machine aren't at Colorado Cup, the TDs are still looking for an 8th team to fill the elite division. If Voodoo can perform well this weekend, that spot could be theirs. They are competing with teams like YR and Madison who each have legitimate claims to the final elite spot, but Voodoo has the luxury of a tournament to determine their worth.

I think their biggest game will be against the Condors. Realistically, I think Sockeye and Furious have way to much experience and talent for Voodoo to handle. Other teams like Rhino and PoNY have unclear performance potential in 2008 and I think Revolver is going to be incredible this year. That leaves the Condors who have been great in the past but have seen better days. Voodoo could give them a loss that will push them up and conversely shove Santa Barbara down. With a big win like this the 2nd tier Seattle Crew will know that they have what it takes to challenge the rest of the country but a loss will show a major disparity in mental toughness between a young Voodoo team and a veteran Goleta program.

Revolver
I think this team is one of the most motivated programs in the country right now. They first made Nationals in 2006 and definitely made their presence known with a pool play win over 1 seeded DoG. They also only missed semis by 2 points and on top of all of this, they missed out on Nationals in 2007 because of the NW Regional cap situation in the 4th/5th place game against Rhino. Now in 2008, each Revolver player is incredibly focused and determined to make the show once again. With only 3 bids out the NW, this will be quite the challenge because they will have to compete with Jam, Sockeye and Furious, the 1st, 2nd, and 4th overall seeds at Sarasota last year. However, with the Stanford pipeline and Mike Payne leading the charge, each player will easily have the motivation to put in the work to challenge the best.

In my opinion, the biggest story surrounding Revolver is their roster in 2008. Seth Wiggins (Sockeye) and Tyler Grant (Mischief) are suiting up for the Palo Alto crowd this Fall and with their already existing talent pool, they could be deadly in the Series. I'm not sure who Seth is going to play for this weekend (probably Sockeye) but it doesn't really matter. Revolver is a great team and one player is not going to make that big a difference. Seth's and Tyler's presence does more for overall team confidence and I'm sure Revolver will tap into that even if they have to play against little big Wiggins. I'm sure guys like Sherwood, Wisemen or Handler can say to themselves, "I know what Seth likes...he's not that scary" and that kind of confidence will help them against not only Sockeye but teams like Furious and Jam later in the year because each kid knows they are the real deal and just because an opponent has experience or age on them, doesn't mean they can't pwn them.

With all these things to consider, I think Revolver finishes 2nd/3rd at this tournament. They easily have the depth and the speed to get past anyone outside Sockeye and Furious and if they have done their homework, they can and should be successful. However, striking a blow against 1 of the big 2 will be huge for Revolver. They knocked out Furious and both Sockeye teams at Cal States, but they were beaten handily by the Monkies at Solstice. This is their chance to show that they are either the Cal States team or the Solstice team. Their schedule is favorable with 2 games to warm up before Furious and a Sunday game against Sockeye. They might slip to someone else this weekend, which is ok because it is just a round robin set of scrimmages. However, they should have their cross hairs aimed at Team USA and Canada and if they play their game, they could really rattle some Worlds cages.

Furious George

Furious is probably the team with the most to prove this weekend. Tournaments like Cal States, Flowerbowl, and Solstice are nice but they still have an early season "tryout" feel. Sockeye Invite is anything but that. This is their last chance to prepare for Worlds and this will be the most focused Furious team anyone has seen since Saturday of NW Regionals when they beat Sockeye. Sarasota '07 is a memory each of these Canadians want to shake and this will definitely be an opportunity.

I wish I could see some of their games because I know that this will be a huge opportunity for Furious to open up their roster. This is a tournament that will be huge for their "out of province" players like John Hassell and considering that Furious has 10 new comers, I would imagine that they all will get their opportunity to see points. I wouldn't be surprised if this hurt FG's record a little but because they will have a looser rotation which may hurt them against teams like Revolver and Sockeye, but who knows? Perhaps the new blood and Nationalistic feel will compel them all to play out of their minds. Only time will tell.

With all this to consider, I think Furious' goal should be to win every game they want to win. This is kind of a bizarre concept but I have been watching Furious for a number of years and it seems like there are 2 kinds of Monkey teams, the one that wants to win and the one that wants to play. They are a methodical team that wants to peak at the right time and I think that they are excellent at bringing it when they want to. They have epic 15-13 wins over Sockeye in the Finals at Sarasota but they also have atrocious 15-6 losses to them at sectionals. I can imagine Luggy in the huddle saying something like, "This is the day we get our confidence back. If you want it, you have to go take it. If you want to erase a bad memory and give yourself the opportunity to go into Worlds with the confidence to win, now is the time." I can imagine not wanting to go full throttle against a team like Sockeye right away, but I think Furious' goal should be to gain the confidence to compete at Worlds which means achieving your performance goal, whatever that may be. I could see them making the Finals and losing, making the Finals and winning, and even not making the Finals. No result is better than the other, because after all this is just July. However, if they get what they came for, they will be successful in Vancouver and hopefully in Sarasota this Fall.

Sockeye

The home town heroes. Sockeye always seems to do well at home. They have won ECC the last few years and I don't think they will slip this weekend. This team has set the bar for polished club teams with arguably the best website and probably the most professional feel of any team right now. I have never seen a team look this put together and I think all the work that each player has put in will pay off in the end. Work like this keeps teams from slipping into oblivion because people will always gravitate to a team that looks the part.

As for the actual tournament, I wonder what Sockeye's approach will be. Like Furious, they have to think about opening their lines because guys like Matt Rehder, Aly Lenon, and Sam Harkness are all new Fish (no pun intended). Having a tight rotation may be nice for winning purposes, but the Fish need to know that both Seth's and Chase are not going to be there for the Series and they will have to give their new players opportunities to gain the confidence they need to come up big in the Series. Likewise, this will be their last chance as a team to prepare for Worlds and they must take chances to expose any and all weaknesses before Vancouver. A conservative team that wins now, may end up having a weakness that is taken advantage of by a team like the Buzz Bullets, Australia, or Canada at Worlds. Now is the time to get the bugs out so I wouldn't be surprised if Sockeye wasn't as dominant as they will be next month.

However, peripheral to all of this, they are still the best team in the World. Mike Caldwell, Roger Crafts, Will Henry, Sammy CK, Blaine Robbins, Andrew Fleming, these guys have all been there since well before Sockeye won it all in 2004. All they want to do is win and what better place to compete than a very comfortable atmosphere. I think they will have a focus and a determination that only teams like Furious can have or even understand. They have the Team USA label and they will play with pride this weekend. I like them to win the tournament but that doesn't mean they go undefeated. Look for Revolver to make a charge in pool play and maybe Furious in the Finals.

Rhino

Now this is a team that hasn't exactly earned their spot at this tournament. From what I hear, Rhino is now only a shell of what they used to be with players like the Janin brothers, Kevin Stout and Dusty Becker playing elsewhere. They definitely have the experience as a team to take out PoNY, Voodoo and the Condors, but I wonder if they have the talent. Solstice, their first tournament, was not good to them, and I wonder if their legacy has gotten them a seat at a table they aren't ready for.

I could however, be totally wrong. I know enough about Club Ultimate to know that roster statuses change with the winds and teams have a tendency to come out of nowhere. A year ago I never would have pegged Rhino to take Revolver's spot in Sarasota and who knows what will happen this year. However, what I do know is that a lot of questions surrounding Rhino will be answered this weekend. With a tournament like Solstice you get chances at weaker teams and despite the fact that Rhino doesn't have a big win this year, they still have A win and a legacy. However, they cannot hide at Sockeye Invite. Round 1 they get a team that hates them, Revolver, and this will be Revolver's first shot at Rhino in a major tournament since they lost to them in the 4/5 game at NW Regionals. They dominated them 19-10 at Solstice and I wonder if this weekend will be worse. I hope for Oregon's sake (both the state and the college team) that Rhino competes at a level they have historically earned, but it will not be easy.

Closing Thoughts

Bottom line, this weekend is going to be sick. Every game is exciting and when folks are talking about predictions for the series or seedings at Nationals, this tournament will come up again and again. Each team's performance will be remembered long after this weekend and hopefully each has the focus and determination to make it a good one. Teams like Voodoo and PoNY are out to make a name for themselves while Rhino and the Condors are trying to hold onto what they have earned. Sockeye and Furious are prepping for the biggest tournament since Finland 2004 and Revolver is drooling at the chance to put the hurt on everybody. The only other big question about this weekend is Jam. They aren't here. In a year where there are 4-5 teams vying for 3 bids to Nationals every competitive chance matters and I wonder if Sockeye, Rhino, Revolver or Furious pick up something this weekend that they will use against Jam in the Series.

All in all, this should be a sick weekend and believe me when I say I will be glued to the score reporter. Keep your eyes peeled folks, its going to be an awesome summer.

just my thoughts

match diesel

PS For those that missed it, I made another blog called mssuicomments.blogspot.com. It is for anyone with input or commentary or corrections or whatever for anything on mssui. Right now there are 3 threads open for the 3 articles I wrote for Skip. Each has the general idea behind the article and where I got my information. Feel free to critique or comment on any and all of them. We need feedback to improve our literature and you guys are all we've got.

Tournament Shakeups in 2008

2008-07-06T13:50:00.000-04:00

If you've grown accustom to the general summer schedule of elite teams, 2008 is a bit irregular. This comes as no real shock because of Worlds and teams like Sockeye and Furious have slightly different goals this year than the rest of the open division. To complicate matters, considering that Sockeye runs the most elite tournament of the year, ECC, their change in focus has had a significant ripple effect that has modified the major tournaments throughout the country. Lets take a look at what this summer is going to be like for the next two months.

July

First lets take a peak at this month. In years past July has been a relatively slow month for the elite. Tournaments like Solstice and Cal States are in June and ECC, Colorado Cup, and Labor Day are in August. However, Sockeye is throwing one of the most exciting tournaments of the summer, the Sockeye Invite, so that they can get some serious competition before they set off for Vancouver. This tournament is more or less the ECC of 2008 because ECC this year won't have an open division.

Of all the teams coming to Seattle, I think PoNY is the most interesting. The Condors, Revolver and Rhino have all had their chances at Nationals and are all in the 8-12 range. Likewise Furious and Sockeye are perennial contenders and Voodoo carries a feeder team label. PoNY is the one team coming from outside the west coast and they have yet to make Sarasota. The story surrounding PoNY this year (and keep an eye on mssui for more) is their quest to take 3rd out of the NE this October ahead of Bodhi. Bodhi is the new kid on the block in New England and have looked good thus far. However, in making the trek across the county, PoNY is giving themselves an opportunity to expand on their experience, which they can/will use at Regionals.

Peripheral to my own interest in PoNY and Bodhi, the biggest story from this tournament will be Furious and Sockeye. Furious has 2 tournament wins (Solstice and Flowerbowl) but also has 2 losses to Sockeye Y. They have yet to play Sockeye at full strength since a 2/3 game at Regionals last year and this will be their/our last chance to see them before Worlds. Likewise, Sockeye has been fairly under the radar this year. They were split squad at Cal States and didn't make an appearance at Solstice as a team. They haven't played as a total unit since Dream Cup (and even that team was missing players) and this tournament will be their first time competing as a team in '08 and the last chance they have before they make their gold medal run.

August

Next month, the multitude of teams not competing at Worlds will have their fair share of competitive chances. Colorado Cup is one of the best tournaments of the year and will feature 7/8 Nationals contenders and 2 of 4 semifinal teams. The only teams that aren't back in 2008 are Boston and Machine but the tournament does have a second division with teams from both coasts, good work Degs.

In addition to CC, Chesapeake Open in the middle of the month could be one of the most competitive tournaments of the summer. Because ECC isn't happening, teams like Bravo, Ring, Boston, and Chain are in need of another regular season tournament and will take their chances in Maryland. The elite division of this tournament will have 10 teams (BAT, Boston, Chain, GOAT, Bravo, Machine, PoNY, Ring, SubZero and Truck Stop), 9 with Nationals experience. Like the Sockeye Invite, this will be another opportunity for PoNY to improve while Bodhi competes in the Open division.

At the end of the month we will see the best Club Tournament short of Nationals at Labor Day. The line up for Santa Cruz is unreal with 12 out of 16 teams from Nationals (no Chain, VBB, Pike, or Machine) and there is no doubt that we will see some serious fireworks. In addition, 2 teams that are close as any to the show this year, PoNY and Revolver, will be in attendance. Once again, another opportunity PoNY has that Bodhi does not.

Closing Thoughts
Wow, this is a short piece, like it KG? In any event, this summer is going to be weird because of Vancouver, but the usual epically fun tournaments are still happening. Potlatch, Poultry Days, and Wildwood are the cornerstones of why summer ultimate is fun and no Worlds tournament is gonna screw that up. I missed out on Potlatch becuase of my damn foot, and god willing, I might finally may get to compete since Kaimana at the Wood. It's the best/worst idea ever, sorry TiV, but it is. Stay tuned for more content. Most of my really indepth stuff will be on mssui, but my spittle will find its way here in one from or another. Enjoy.

just my thoughts

match diesel

Boston Invite and MD's return

2008-06-30T12:25:00.006-04:00

So, first off, sorry I haven't published anything this month. I have been working on some administrative things and they have caused some setbacks. However, after having just been in Devens, I can't keep a lid on my writing anymore and I want to get somethings out for you guys.

Boston

Yikes, these guys are really freaking good. I know I started this whole blog thing off with a not so nice piece about Boston and they have sort of hated me ever since. I'm not sure I regret what I did but hopefully 2008 will be a new year with some good content from the BU boys.

Judging from a year ago, this team has really improved. I can imagine with guys like Holzer, Ryan Todd, and Jeff Graham coming over from Metal, it was a little tough to get them integrated into the BU system. In addition, guys like Goldstein, Teddy, and Jasper were also new fish that needed to get up to speed. However, after a year of ironing things out, it looks like Boston is ready for glory.

They also have a ton of new pickups. Colin Mahoney is back, Will Neff is a new D-line handler and George Stubbs is my pick to carry the Boston torch into the future. In the early 90's it was Steve Mooney, mid 90's it was Parinella, late 90's it was Forch, then Zipp sort of, and if he keeps it up, Stubbs. This Harvard kid is incredible and he is only 19. I only watched the tail end of the GB game (which he caught the game winner) and the finals where he more or less did everything. He had a huge layout scoop to save a score, he got up and over pile after pile in the endzone, and he reeled in his fair share of amazing layout Ds. His combination of youth and skill puts him up there as one of the best prospects in the country and I would look for him in the Callahan race in 2-3 years.

Oh and Boston also has this dude from Florida named Kurt Gibson, I hear he is good. Bottom line, I think Boston is a semis team this year, and if they can put the pieces together at Nationals they could make it back to the Finals after a decade of missing out.

GOAT

I have to say, I was not impressed with GOAT this weekend. They made the finals at BI which is an amazing feat but their performance in the finals left me flat. They also had extremely close games against Bodhi (quarters) and PoNY (semis) on their way to the finals and I think they have a lot of work to do before they can think about Sarasota.

GOAT this weekend reminded me a lot of what Colorado looked like at TiV and Stanford this year. John Hassell is easily their biggest weapon and like Jolian, he is stuck having to hang back with the disc and basically do everything. He never comes off the field, but despite his skill and composure, he's just not getting much help. GOAT seemed to want to jack it a ton and based on their size I'm not surprised. However, Boston's man D was superb and their zone really slowed GOAT down. Boston's offensive efficieny is a third concern and these things made it relatively easy for BU to dominate.

What is surprising is that they do have other weapons like Jeff "Link" Lindquist, who played a phenomenal tournament. This guy was playing with Team Fisher Price and GOAT and he was uncoverable. He is lighting fast with great cutting ability and I think he will be very valuable for GOAT this year.

What's weird is that GOAT is good. They were like 50-6 last year with several tournament wins including Boston Invite. They have confidence and experience but it just didn't look like it yesterday. They also need to work on their intensity. I got the chance to meet John Hassell, who is a really nice guy by the way, but he, like the rest of GOAT, seemed a bit passive. Boston was rushing the fields and getting up after every score/D and GOAT just wasn't. Maybe its because Boston is playing more or less on their home turf, but this team was nowhere near what they were last October at Regionals when they got as close as anyone to beating out Boston for the Regional title.

In the end, I think it is still early and tournament experiences like this are tough but they are what helps you learn. I hope with this experience and previous ones, GOAT will keep on improving and give Boston a better game in 3 months.

Oh and like last year, GOAT has THE BEST jerseys. Apparently one of their players works for VC (bonus) so look for me to talk up their new threads this year.

Bodhi

Wow, this team is the real deal. I am going to write a full fledged article on them (and I will for Boston, GOAT, PoNY, and a bunch of other teams) but for right now, i just want to say that these guys are legit. When I did my Juniors Team USA article I did an interview with Andrew Hollingworth and he told me that the best thing about 2006 was the friends he made and how he wished he could have more time with them.

Well, in 2008, he got his wish. Bodhi is more or less the best Junior Worlds talent in the country (save Stubbs, he gets to play with the big boys) and they have all the pieces. They are all talented, young, committed and experienced. Andrew, Christian Foster, Russell Wallack, Sam Roberts, Micah Flynn, Patrick Roberts, etc.. are all world class Juniors talents and either ARHS alums or just great young flat ballers. Miles is also a very talented player from Slow White and guys like Charlie Upton, Tyler Auer, and Chris Skipper are all motivated college veterans who want to play with like minded players.

With all of these things to consider, it is not surprising that this team has all the pieces and they are going to give PoNY some pressure from underneath as the 3rd team to come out of the NE, if not better.

PoNY

I talked with Jody Avrigan about his team and these guys are excited for 2008. They are headed to Seattle in two weeks and Jody also told me that they made it into Labor Day. PoNY has been a team that has been trying to break into the National scene for sometime and 2008 could be their year. They have some new pick ups like Aaron Bell (Oregon) and Nate Raines (Dartmouth, Juniors Team USA 2004), not to mention scores of veterans like BVH and Bailey Russell. However, they have their work cut out for them. Bodhi is easily their biggest challenge in 2008 and despite the fact that PoNY made semis and Bodhi lost in quarters, the youngins still are 1-0 against the Pride of New York. Their advantage is experience, but not by much, and they will have to rely on their Club Regionals experience while Bodhi relies on their experience in the College Series.

As a tangent, one thing that got me thinking after talking with Jody was about how Club tournaments differ from College. Since Skip came onto the scene with Cultimate, College Ultimate has really gone nationwide. Vegas, Stanford, and Centex are all tournaments where regional location mean very little. This is the future of ultimate and I love seeing teams face eachother from across the country. However, club ultimate seems to be more like what college ultimate used to be. Boston Invite is very East Coast heavy and Solstice, Cal States, and Labor Day are all West Coast heavy. This kind of reminds me of the way Pres Day, Stanford, and Ultimax used to be with teams staying close to home. There are some exceptions with tournaments like Colorado Cup and maybe Seattle Invite if it stays around, but they still have a long way to go before they are like Centex, Stanford, or Vegas.

There was some talk about how teams should be organized/seeded on RSD a while back and with tournaments with like 8 teams in the "elite" division, it really doesn't do a whole lot for parity. I know it is hard to travel a ton as an adult (which is probably why club teams stay close to home) and teams want major challenges if they travel across the country, but wouldn't it be nice if the top 12 or so teams at Nationals saw eachother a few times before nationals? I hear Labor Day is going to be pretty close to that so maybe that'll shut me up but for the last few years, it seems like tournaments could be a bit more Sarasota-esk.

DoG

We got the chance to play DoG again and despite the fact that I'm still out, it was still cool to face them again. I think Parinella is still bitter about WMO last year because he was really fired up for this game. Our most athletic player lined up on him and despite the fact that he is a fantastic athlete and an experienced player, Jim scored at will. I think he had 3 or 4 deep scores on John and despite the fact that Korber is half Parinella's age, he still got taught a lesson or two.

I also got the chance to finally meet Alex de Frondeville and my only regret was that I didn't save any Keystones from the previous night so we could shotgun, oh well. I'll have a few more chances. In addition, before Jim or Alex get the chance to poke fun at me, I thought I would just mention that I spent most of Sunday with duct tape on my mouth. I always lose my voice at tournaments and the best way to get it back is to just not talk. Even if there is no one to talk to, I'll just talk to myself and the duct tape is the only way to shut me the hell up. Jim had a good line saying "thats a good look for you" and I wish I could have tossed a jibe back at him but, I had duct tape on my mouth.

The game itself was fairly frustrating to watch. Like most masters teams, they were just more patient and crafty than us. They capitalized on mistakes and punished the youth of our team. I think the one thing that was effective, and this worked against Above and Beyond last year, is the huck. Masters teams are usually a bit slower (although Jim and a bunch of other DoG guys routinely smoked us) and I think it is a good idea to be aggressive. Playing small ball will not work because the old guys do it better but if you play a bit grip and ripe you can be successful.

Colt 45

As for my own team, we played a great tournament. I feel like a lot of elite players don't know what it's like to lose, but we do. We were 0-8 in pool play at BI the last two years but this year we went 2-2 on Saturday. We beat Firebird, a team that beat us 13-8 previously, and kept a lid on Run Silent, Run Deep as usual. In addition, we came out on Sunday fired up and took out Medicine Men, a team we have lost to a bunch of times and never beaten, on universe.

The game was actually pretty awesome. We traded breaks the whole game and after a few miscues we ended up tied at 14's for universe, with us receiving. Korber had tossed a few flick hucks in the game, all turnovers, and he put up a lazer that one of our cutters couldn't reel in on a layout. Bottom line, we turned in on double game. However, like the superstar that he is, John came up huge on D. One Med Men player tossed a cross field swing in the end zone and John came out of nowhere to sky Bill Mill (sorry buddy) for a game ending Callahan. The player who tossed the Callahan was more than a little peeved, but thats ultimate. We rushed the field. it was bad ass and despite losing our last game to DoG, we felt good about BI, for once.

One thing I think is funny is that when I got home I watched "Semi-Pro" with my roommates and it is nice to see a movie about not winning it all, but just winning a realistic game like "4th place". Most competitors don't get to be #1 but we still can have glory and success and our experience at Boston Invite was just that. Great work guys. It has been a challenge to play with Colt the last 3 years but it looks like we are finally picking up some deserved momentum and I hope it lasts.

Closing Thoughts

As for the rest of the summer, I'm not entirely sure what my content is going to be like. I have a ton of ideas and I have already done interviews with captains/reps from the Buzz Bullets, Furious, Sockeye, Jam, Bravo, SubZero, Chain, GOAT, Boston, the Dingos (Australia), Bodhi, and PoNY but I'm not sure how the information will be published. I have been trying to get more of my stuff onto mssui which is what has slowed me down a little bit, but I'm not sure the format will be the same. For the last year I have become what most folks call a "gonzo journalist" in the Hunter S Thompson sort of way. However, mssui seems to be a bit more formal. I feel like I can write both ways but I really enjoy the informal Bill Simmons "bloggey" style. I feel like I have established myself as a personality in this sport and the writing itself doesn't stand alone, but has my sort of spin on it.

So with that being said, I have a poll up, Informal or Formal. What do you guys like? Do you like my MD style more or my mssui-esk style? I prefer the former but i'll let you guys vote.

Thanks again for your support and patience. I really love this stuff and I appreciate all the people that come up to me at tournaments telling me they read my stuff. Stay tuned.

just my thoughts

match diesel

Thoughts after Cal States

2008-06-02T10:52:00.007-04:00

So Cal States came and went this weekend and it is nice to see that some elite teams are starting to beat the crap out of each other. I don't think that these results are completely indicative of what we can expect for the series, but they are interesting none the less.

Revolver
First off, congratulations to the Palo Alto crowd. This is a team with one of the better pipelines in the country (Stanford) as well as one of the best ultimate minds, Mike Payne. They missed out on Nationals last year by being on the wrong side of the NW Regional 4/5th place debacle that happened last fall. However, at least out of the gate, they came out red hot. This isn't too surprising for me because players like Nan Gao and Robbie Cahill, who were both 5th year Stanford players, have now had some time off and I'm sure it has done them well. I know that Robbie is in Seattle now and despite offers from the Fish, he has decided to stick with his college buddies, good for him. In addition, I hear that Seth Wiggins has moved down to the Bay Area and is now suiting up for these guys. In any event, with their existing talent, their pipeline and some new talent, they will definitely give Jam, Sockeye, Furious and Rhino a challenge for a bid to Sarasota. Next chance we'll see of these guys will be Summer Solstice in Oregon, but I think one of the more exciting challenges they will have will be the Seattle Invite, which seems to be an early version of ECC. This tournament has some, but not all of the NW juggernauts, and it will be nice to see where Revolver stacks up later in the season. Congratulations again on a great first tourney and I like that they came back and beat Sockeye Y after a DGP loss to them in pool play.

Sockeye X/Y

I'm not surprised about which Sockeye team won this tournament. I was lucky enough to get the rosters of both and it seems that X definitely has more pure tryouts and Y has some old faces that are back. I want to get into the roster status of Sockeye and other teams but I'm planning on doing some formal writeups like I did for college, so hopefully most teams will talk to me. In any event, Sockeye, like Jam, seems to have more talent than they know what do with. Considering that the team is still fairly young and Fish veterans have been in the system for a long time, their team strategy should be as figured out as it's going to get. However, I do know of some serious roster shake ups that will affect the club series, not World's, so while I do believe Sockeye is in good shape to take gold, I think other squads like Bravo and Jam are in line to win it all in Sarasota. In any event, like Revolver, the next chance we'll see for some real Fish action will be the Seattle Invite and hopefully with one team we'll know who's who in the NW.

Furious George
I like seeing my monkeys come out firing early in the year. Historically, they always seem to start slow but despite 15-6 losses to Sockeye and whomever else in early summer, they still bring it in the Fall. However, with World's happening in August, I think Furious will have to push themselves harder earlier which will be awesome for us fans. Seattle Invite will definitely be the weekend to watch because it will be one of the last times we see the Vancouver boys before the big show. I was a little surprised that they didn't split up do their Furious and George team that they usually do this time of year (maybe thats just for Flowerbowl), but I can imagine that figuring out that many roster issues would be ill advised considering the fact that they need their system sorted out earlier this year. In any event, they played a decent tourney. They had 3 losses total which were only to the two teams in the Finals, so not too bad. I can imagine the TD being a bit frustrated that 3 of the 4 teams in semis came from the same pool but I suppose thats the way it goes with small tournaments.

Jam
I was fairly surprised on Saturday when I found out Jam lost to the Condors, but considering their 15-10 win over them on Sunday, I'm not too worried. The issue with Jam is definitely not their personal because their team is more or less the same as last year. I spoke with Idris and he told me that their roster won't change much in 2008. This helps out Jam early in the year because guys like Kevin Cissna, Jeff Estham, Damien Scott, Idris Nolan, Greg Husak, and Mike Namkung have been in the system for quite some time and I can't imagine anything new on the white board. I will say that it seems like the ripple from Justice League is still in effect. Jam learned in 2006 that nothing was guaranteed and in 2007 they were definitely more fired up and took the NW region. However, this team is still developing their synergy. After the 2006 shake up, the roster is still working to develop team chemistry that squads like Sockeye and Furious have stock piled. Much like Boston, their success has very little to do with talent and everything to do with continuing to develop as a team. The 3 year mark is definitely a good chunk of time because after 3 seasons, their really shouldn't be anything terribly new. I see Jam coming out hot early with success at Colorado Cup but even if they do dominate early, they still will have to deal with elite teams that peak well. Win or lose in July and August, I really hope this very experienced team has what it takes to compete with younger teams in the series but barring any major setbacks, they are definitely Finals contenders once again.

Condors
I'm not sure what to make of the Santa Barbara crowd. This team has benefited from the spectacular abilities and leadership of Steve Dugan for so long but their 2001 National title is now 7 years old. With players hopping all over the country to play for teams, the Condors are having interesting issues to deal with. Jimmy Chu is now back in Seattle and was playing with Sockeye Y and key Santa Barbara players like Rory Orloff were also trying out for Sockeye. To compensate for this, I hear that the best in the South Land, ie Los Angeles, are heading up to Goleta to try out for the birds. They have plucked a few guys from UCLA, which I'm sure frustrates Monster, but I also think that the redistribution of players will hurt the Condors. Not that these players aren't legit, but now instead of having the Black Tide pipeline where synergy was developed in college and used in club, now the Condors are having to continually recruit and develop players like every other team out there. They do have a great team system that has worked for over a decade so I'm sure they have their affairs in order. They have taken the Southern California section for god knows how long but I wonder if teams like San Diego United with gobs of college buddies playing together again will have a chance at the Condors late in the year.

YR, San Diego United, Last Call, and Monster
It's funny, for the 4 teams at this tournament where I actually know the most people, I have the least to say. YR took the "coveted" 7th spot at this tournament and their 15-11 win over SDU is a good one. These LPC guys have a lot of experience playing with one another and I'm not surprised at their early season success. However, I wonder what will happen when their competition gets better. Summer Solstice should be a good opportunity for them to reaffirm their talents and potentially turn some heads.

As for SDU and Last Call, it really breaks my heart to see these two teams separated. When I was in San Diego, it was just PBR but when the dust cleared after their civil war it was more or less the UCSD crowd (SDU) and everyone else who lived in San Diego and loved ultimate (Last Call). I'm happy to say that I have good friends on both teams but it sucks that the talent is divided. This is definitely something that favors the Condors in their control over the Southern California section and I wish folks could just consolidate talent and ditch egos and personal bull shit.

However, despite these issues, I am glad to see that SDU is on top of Monster again. Nothing against LA crowd, but I have my San Diego bias and after Monster took the 3rd spot to Natties in 2006, I haven't been much of a Monster fan. Success is the only data that matters however, and if they can get their offense and conditioning taken care of, they will give SDU, Last Call and anyone else a run for their money. Best of luck this year.

Closing Thoughts
A month ago I wasn't too fired up about the club season but now that college is out of the way, I'm happy to say that this club season is going to be exciting. With the world's curve ball this August and with a significant amount of roster rearrangements across the country, there should be some good stories this summer. I am going to try and put together some team writeups and I've got contacts with Sockeye, Jam, Chain, Boston, and Bravo. I still need some help with Revolver, SubZero, Furious, Rhino and GOAT, but I'm on it. Hopefully I still have some readers out there now that college is over and hopefully I'll have the material to keep you all stimulated and unproductive at work.

just my thoughts

match diesel

Making the Cut

2008-05-25T15:21:00.001-04:00

Recently, I was approached by an elite level open player and he asked if I wanted to do a write up on how to make a competitive ultimate team (which makes sense because it's that time of year again). A lot of it is purely based on your abilities but there are things to think about going in. Some are obvious, some are subtle, but there are important things that cannot be stressed enough. I asked him to give me the body of the piece and I would fill in the gaps. Here is what we came up with.

Don't be "That Guy"

At concerts, it's the guy with the t-shirt of the band he is seeing. At parties, it's the guy with the aviators and the popped collar. And on the ultimate field it's the handler that can sometimes cut.

There is nothing more useless from a tryout than a handler/cutter. Every team has an offense (or at least should) and the last thing they need is to teach more people how to play their offense. A friend/team mate of mine once told me that for the best teams you don't get to play offense until you prove yourself on defense. So, word to the wise, don't offer yourself up as a handler/cutter right away. Sorry if this is the bulk of your talents, but if you really want to make a competitive ultimate team you need to offer yourself as a commodity that every team needs more of, DEFENSE.

This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be the best defender but if the captains ask where you like to play on the field, say something like "I will get a block/force a turn. I am more than willing to guard the guy on the other team that no one else wants to and if given the chance, I will be instrumental in scoring the goal after said block/turnover." This kind of statement displays a number of positive things, one being intensity. Every team needs intensity on defense because that is what can frustrate an offense and generate turnovers. A player that produces breaks in this game is THE most valuable element on the line and every team wants players like this.

What's also really cool about ultimate is that you can never tell where skill will show up. The reason I use the word "skill" rather than "talent" is because the most important thing in this game is drive. I bet everyone reading this knows of some former track stud or basketball player that would be awesome at ultimate, if they just cared. However, I bet you can also think of a few other guys that might not fit your average ultimate build but they are amazing players because they are motivated to play. There is a kid trying out for Colt this year who is a little thicker than most but the guy wants it more than anyone else on the field and that kind of commitment is a rare commodity and if you really want to make a team you really have act like you want it. Captains love seeing this and just because you aren't a highlight reel doesn't mean you can't play a pivotal role on an ultimate squad.

Stand Out

Believe it or not, captains don't know who you are. They have a million things to pay attention to and "non-descript player X" is not going to stand out, unless they make a point too. Yes, playing amazing is a good way to do this, but that is still tough in a tryout format unless you are Brodie Smith. There are a few ways you can do this, one being your presence on the line. Don't be afraid to request an assignment. Ask to be part of the string, if not THE main guy that goes deep or whatever. On defense, don't be afraid to pick out the toughest assignment. Even if you get pwned, this shows captains that you are willing to be challenged. You aren't a pansy, you are a tough mother that wants his/her shot at glory. In a tough game, every captain wants a player like this to call on the field and you might as well make your presence known early.

Now this could also be taken the wrong way with people being too chatty on the line which you don't want to do. The worst way to tryout is to be annoying and over step your boundaries. The balance is up to you as a tryout. Realize what your future captains are looking for so when that opportunity presents itself, take it, because there will be a line of people ready to take your spot if you don't go for it.

Another way to stand out is to take chances on offense. Yes hammers and hucks can get you into trouble in a game situation but when you are practicing/trying out, you need to show what you can do, which means not being timid. Now this doesn't mean play summer league style with 50/50 throws left and right, but it's ok to throw a huck, it's ok to go for a strike. It shows that you are competent and have a decent mind for the game. If you have a decent hammer or flick huck don't be afraid to let it rip, especially if you are a cutter. There is nothing better for a team than to have cutters that can turn and put it. Your handlers will be a bit jealous because you took their job, but you will show the powers that be that you are an asset that can continue the offense, even toss a score or two. This kind of contribution is awesome because a lot of teams already have their offensive assignments established and if you show versatility then your stock will rise considerably.

Lastly, be aggressive. On offense, cut fast and frequent. Run, run, and run some more. Make your defender's life miserable and even if you don't get the disc, cut, clear and show that you are motivated to do your job downfield. Same thing as a handler. There is nothing better than power position in an offense and if you can get a reset at stall 3 and set up a great downfield strike, go for it. Show that you can manage an offense and produce results when/if cutters get stagnant. Leadership like that is something few teams have a surplus of. Lastly, bid on defense. There is nothing better than a tryout that hits the ground. Even if you don't get the D you are showing the selection team that you are willing to sacrifice your body for the disc and given the right circumstances, thats a D and your captains will be thinking that. However, like everything else, pick your battles. Don't bid for stuff that you have no shot at because you are risking your and your team mates health, but don't have regrets. There is nothing worse than questioning whether or not you should have bid. I can still remember a huck I didn't bid for in SW Regionals against Santa Barbara in 2004 and ever since then, I never second guess myself when a disc is close, I just pull the trigger.

Bring the Intangibles

There are a lot of little things that can really help you out and allow you to be a positive entity on the team that your captains want. A lot of people have amazing athleticism and talent but even these players need to use their mouths and every tryout should as well. This could be something small like positive reinforcement. There is nothing like a cheer from the sideline for a bid you make on the field. Maybe you get the disc, maybe you don't but that positive feeling from the sideline is a great motivating source. If you can provide that, you are already useful. Maybe you aren't in the top 7 on your roster, maybe you don't get the huge sky or D, but if you can get your team fired up or even maintain motivation you are an asset. Every team needs every element to be a good team, one being a positive sideline. If you show that kind of commitment to your potential team mates, you are valuable.

Along these lines, be helpful to your team mates as they play. Don't hesitate to call out those "No IO's", "UP!", "No Break" or just echo the major calls on the field. If you are practicing zone, help out your cup or your deep-deep by letting him/her know what's around them. Don't over do it (along the same lines as talking on the line), but let your future captains know that you are paying attention and you have competence on the field. The tryout process doesn't begin and end with you on the line. It also includes those times when you are waiting for your turn to get on the field.

Sticking with this "fire" theme, maintain intensity. Run out to the line when given your chance. Run drills as you would run cuts. Have a snap in each step, in each cut, in each throw. Look like you want it, because captains want to give roster spots to the guys that want it the most, not necessarily the best players. This is also really important for those moments when you are gassed. We have all been there. The marathon point, the 7 in a set of 10 sprints. Those are the times when the fire is the most important. Cheer yourself and your team mates on. "Just a few more", "win the long one", "don't be the one that quits". These are the kinds of statements your captains want to hear because they know this sucks as will those moments when winning isn't easy. If they have a team with guys that are willing to suck it up when it hurts, to push threw the pain, to remain focused when all you want to do is not focus, they will have a team that can win.

Lastly, stay positive and don't pout. No one likes a Bitter Betty, so don't be that. If you drop a disc, if you get skied, if you screw up, it's ok. Don't let it dome you. Stay positive and just run. If you get D'd, don't stare at the disc on the grass while your man charges for the end zone. Pick yourself up and get your head in the game. Every player has been there, every player knows how it feels, and every player has heard, "get your ass up and play D". The point doesn't end with a drop, it ends with a score and no one wants a player that stops when they screw up.

(Along these lines, something I have wanted to write about as well is that it's ok to screw up, thats how you learn. I know this sounds like I talking to an 8 year old but if you fuck up, its cool. The pain is good. If it didn't sting, you would have no motivation to get better. Do yourself a favor and learn the lesson. If a huck sucked, if you drop a disc, if you get blocked, remember it and do your best to improve.)

Same thing with heated situations. Every team has a stubborn ass and most captains aren't looking for more. If a call is made and you don't like it, simply contest, don't make a scene. No one wants to baby sit egos and THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN BEING A BIG LEAUGER. Just because you think you are good does not mean you are impervious to error. Don't be a douche about calls and if someone gets the better of you, the best thing you can do is commend them for it and let it motivate you to not make the same mistake again. Remember these are your future teammates and a team needs to get along. You never know what people will remember and you are better off being pleasant more often than not.

Be Fun

This will be easy for some and the hardest thing for others. We have all had that team mate that may or may not be good, but he/she is just a buzz kill. Regardless of how he/she plays no one enjoys their presence and no captain wants to bring on another player like that. Conversely, there is sometimes that player (and this is often times me) that might not be the best athlete or player but really brings the "spittle". This is what I call the banter, the ruckus, the fun. Despite not being the most talented player, if people like being around you, then odds are they are happy when you are there and having that kind of player is so valuable. You want players that keep people motivated and happy because it is those players that keep a team from burning out. This goes for teams at all levels because constant friction can really add up and cause team problems. However, if you have a team jester or a few guys that are just fun to be around, it is a great way to get through the tough times. I love filling this role and it is something that a lot of captains won't look for, but they'll know it when they see it.

Now don't take this to mean that you have to be a jackass or make an idiot out of yourself. Everyone is different. Some people are Michelangelos and some people are Rafaels. The main thing to keep in mind is that you should stick to your guns. Be and act confident. If you like to wear something stupid or throw a certain way, don't back down in the face of resistance. Socks, from Dartmouth, is on my club team and is a perfect example. The guy plays with socks on his arms, what the hell? Believe me, I gave him shit for it at his first practice but he didn't back down. He did what made him feel comfortable and now I respect him for it.

There is also this new kid on the team that wears a wool shirt before and after every practice (when it's chilly) and the guy has never washed it. In 2 years, he has never washed the damn thing! However, he sticks to his guns. He has his thing and we all shake our head at it, but as a captain I love seeing it because I know he brings the spittle. He has his little character attributes and rather than blend in with his surroundings, he tries to find a place for himself and that is something that every team wants.

Closing Thoughts

To sum up, I think every tryout should try to be the team mate they would want. It's not about being the best player on the field or the guy that gets the D AND the score. It's about being a good team mate. For a lot of the really elite teams you won't get enough points to make an impact right away anyway, so you might as well aim for the little things. Maybe you won't make the starting line but there are a lot of parts to a team and everyone is essential. Defenders don't work with out offensive personnel. Leaders don't work without followers. Play makers need a supporting cast.

Do your best to fill the void. Few captains are looking for a Callahan nominee, but rather a motivated entity that will see the season through. A person who will be at the track workouts, someone who will handle their assignment, someone who is there when they are called upon and just a guy that is fun to hang out with because lets be honest, ultimate is just a game and games are supposed to be fun.

just my and phil's thoughts

match diesel

Final Thoughts on 2008

2008-05-22T12:39:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a year. It began with my team write-ups and it ended in the best way possible, a front row seat at College Nationals in Boulder, CO. I wanted to comment on some things that really stuck out for me throughout the season and I suppose it’s a good way to end the college year.

Arizona
Wow, this team was so much fun to follow. Not only did I get to write about them after Vegas and throughout the year but I also got to hang out with them in Boulder and they are such a class act. Their team has such a collection of entities that really facilitates their synergistic development.

Chris Shepard is such a phenomenal leader. He isn’t the teams highlight reel but everyone likes and respects him. Everyone depends on him to lead the team on and off the field and he kind of reminds me of myself with the teams I have played for. It was pretty awesome to share shots Saturday night and from what I can remember, I think we had a really good time.

Joe Kershner is also such an amazing person. I got the chance to talk to him right after he got the Callahan award and it was so cool to see a guy like him win it. Nothing against previous winners but people like Ben Wiggins and Zipp must have known it was coming. Likewise, Richter was such a big leaguer that he wasn’t even there to accept the award in 2004 but Loppi embodied how most players would feel if they got the award. He was absolutely speechless and for a guy with so much heart and commitment to our sport, there is nothing better than seeing someone like that get the award.

Another Sunburn player I really like is Austin Gregersen. I have been talking him up a lot and the thing I like the most about him is that he is so humble, not unlike the rest of his team. He is such a baller and can handle just about anything on the field but he is still so chill and down to earth. I was this crazy red head that came into Boulder and was all in his, and the rest of his team’s, face and he just took it in stride and had a good time with me. Thanks again Austin, you’re a champ.

Lastly, I want to thank the team as a whole. Gafni, Scharf, Palmer, Husid, and everyone else on this team really accepted me and that was a validation I needed. I work so hard to do this and feedback from the players is something I really enjoy. Some people get on my case for not talking up this team or that or for not saying what they want to hear, but when the players support me, it makes it all worth it. Sunburn really gave me the reassurance I needed. I am all alone at this and despite my confidence in my opinions, I still feel it when people criticize me. Thanks again guys, it’s been a pleasure.

Georgia
These guys are absolutely crazy, but they are a ton of fun. Their team mentality is something I cannot even begin to transcend here. Travis Smith is such a great character and despite Dempsey’s and Swason’s amazing skill, they are very down to earth guys. Ben Morrissey is also a great guy to chill with, as is Will McDonough and when you see Georgia mixing it up with this team or that off the field, it is obvious that they are easy to like. Alex Deckhard and AJ Tiarsmith coach a great team and I can only imagine the stories this team has. I have always been a big fan of Jojah and it was really nice to hear positive things tossed my way this weekend. Thanks again guys, it means a lot to me.

Michigan
Magnum didn’t have the best weekend but they are a team that isn’t finished. Ryan maybe done but their young talent will get Michigan back to Nationals in the future. One person I cannot say enough about is Will Neff. I suppose I don’t expect much from superstars, but his demeanor is really refreshing. I talked with him after pool play on Friday and despite the fact that he had no idea who I was (sort of), he was willing to talk shop with me. I am not out to bug these people or follow them around like idols. I just really want to give "you" the reader a sense of what the Nationals experience is like. Like Chris Shepard, Will is a great leader that has the ability to make his teammates better by simply being himself. They can turn to him on and off the field and despite his obvious talents and experience, he is right there when they need him. Great work this year and I’ll do my best to hype you up in 2009 so you can get a spot at the podium.

Carleton
I have a complicated relationship with Carleton. I will admit that I have not talked them up much and from what they had to say to me in Boulder, I got the feeling they knew they weren’t my favorite. However, the main reason it went down this way is that when I did my team write-ups, they were the only team that didn’t take me seriously. I am a young aspiring writer, I know, but every team from Florida to Wisconsin to Stanford all talked to me with respect and CUT didn’t.

However, I think things are drastically different now. I have had the chance to see them at their best and I can say that I was wrong in doubting their talents. In addition, I got the chance to party with them and I hope they know now that I’m not such a bad guy. Baylis, Lindsley, Fagin, Evangelides and the rest of CUT are great guys and I now hope that there is some mutual respect there. Maybe in 2009 things will be different.

Also, I want to offer a formal apology to Jacob Goldstein for implying that he was fat. I can’t even remember what post I said he was “stocky” but I meant no disrespect. I actually meant quite the contrary. So many players out there, especially on CUT, are scrappy twigs and for us bigger kids, it’s tough to compete in this game. I think Jake is a great player and I really enjoy watching him play both for Boston and when he was at Carleton. Best of luck in the coming club season and sorry you don’t like my flames. It’s my flare and I would be doing myself a disservice if I sacrificed what I like because some folks don’t.

The Callahan

Wow, this was probably the biggest surprise of the weekend. I have heard from a variety of sources that Kurt was really trying to change his image to get this award but despite his efforts Kershner’s likeable nature was the determining factor. I suppose, in this case, it all boils down to appreciating what you have. Despite the fact that Loppi now has a huge trophy to take back to Tucson, his team never played in the finals after Vegas. I am sure all of Arizona wants to be National champs but it’s not something they could ever do. No matter how hard they worked, it just wasn’t in the cards. It took each of these players 5 years just to make Nationals and despite the fact that they were rewarded with a Callahan and team spirit awards, they still were watching ultimate on Sunday instead of playing it. Conversely, Kurt is a National champ and has had more success than most other players out there would even dream of. It is nice to have it all but truth be told, it just doesn't work that way. Kurt will have a great club career playing with the most elite players in the world and Loppi tells me he is probably going to take some time off. Regardless, congratulations to both players, you've played a hell of a season.

On a more general note, the Callahan is really just a popularity contest. I think people try and put too much focus on it, especially the online community. Remember, most of these kids that are voting have no idea what the hell they are doing. Most vote with their hearts instead of their heads, because they haven't paid as close attention as people like myself and have nothing else to go on. Most people will agree that Kurt was the best player hands down but a friend of mine once told me that when choosing a Callahan nominee you should think of who you would most like as a teammate. Nothing against any of the other candidates, but Kershner is such a great guy and I can only imagine how awesome it was to be on the line with him.

In addition, people seem to always want to perfect the voting system or promote this or that way of choosing a candidate. Bottom line, it is a lot like the BCS. Computer based and most of the time, someone is always going to have an argument to bitch. Every year something unpredictable will happen that will influence the Callahan like Arizona's performance at Vegas, Wisconsin ('07) and Florida's ('06) romp, Zipp's polished character in 2005, Richter's leadership in 2004, and Wiggins' popularity in 2003. This marks the 13th year of the award and with the rise of ultimate media and nation wide discussion/tournaments, the award is still as subjective as it was when Keith Monahan won it 1996.

In the end, people see a title like "MVP" and they all respond differently. Some people vote based on their hearts, their spirit, what their captain told them to do, what they read or just randomly. Trying to perfect the award to mean "the best player" over the most spirited player or whatever runs much deeper than the award. In order to walk down that road you would have to change the values of the game and who votes for this award. Take the NBA, MLB, or NFL. In most cases the main value is to win and sports writers get to vote on who wins MVP. In ultimate that isn't the case. Spirit seems to be the underlying value and the players get to vote. So unless you want to change things around, expect these sorts of results. They aren't better or worse, they are just their own breed.

It is funny, so many people in this sport want it to be more competitive or objective yet they still demand intangibles like spirit and no refs. The later relies on emotion and gray area mind sets which are going to result in emotional and gray area consequences. You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want a black and white objective award, you have to let it stand for something black and white (ie winning) and voted on by objective people like media personal because they spend their time watching/following the sport, not playing it. This title is more or less the NUMP team which is not the Callahan and never will be. It will never replace the Callahan because the Callahan award pays tribute to a great man who stood for things like spirit of the game. College kids are too inexperienced in this game to understand these kinds of implications and by the time you realize everything that goes into this and what it takes to change things, the end result is to just be complacent and laugh at the Callahan dicussion that rises and falls every spring. Just like those "Who are the best 10 players of all time?" or "who would win in a match up, Alex Nord or LeBron James?" these are arguments that come up on RSD every year and before you know it, you won't care. Just enjoy the game folks, winning isn't everything, games are supposed to fun and we all should try and party/get laid more often.

Freshman/Junior World's Kids
I am really glad I had the chance to research, watch and talk with some of these kids. Andrew Vogt, George Stubbs, Grant Lindsley, Andrew Hollingworth, Hylke Sneider, Ollie Hondred, and the rest of these guys are really amazing. My relationship with Kyle Weisbrod and Tiina Booth has more or less revolved around them talking up their Paidea and ARHS kids and juniors talents all around and seeing that I have seen it in the flesh, it is really awesome to witness. These kids are the future of the sport and I laugh when I think back to when I started playing ultimate and how little juniors talent I came across in San Diego. Over the last 6 years the sport has changed so much and I can only imagine how much the sport will continue to change in the future.

Ultimate Media
Ultimate coverage has really exploded over the last few years. I can remember the very first COTD (A UCSD guy getting skied in Corvalis) and now 4 years later, Rob has really changed the way people watch ultimate. Likewise, people like myself, the mssui crowd, and my fellow blogger homies like Ryan and DLK, have really tried to make the delivery of ultimate information credible, objective and interesting. I like to think that this is only the beginning and hopefully as you readers look back over the last year you can appreciate the product that we have developed. These kinds of things can potentially change the sport in good and potentially bad ways but believe me when I say that these new media friends of mine are good people and we are just trying to package ultimate the way it deserves.

College Nationals
Natties was pretty sweet this year. I think the whole CSTV/CBS thing was a waste of time but thats just my opinion. The only people at the fields were ultimate people and despite the fact that there could have been other athletes, we as ultimate folk like to congregate with ourselves becuase lets be honest, we are a bit weird and despite the fact that the ultimate subculture is bad ass, it isn't for everybody.

I am not sure where Nationals is going to be in 2009, but hopefully its more towards the East coast. Driving/flying to Columbus and flying to Boulder has been tough and it would be nice to have nationals back in Boston because Devens is legit and it is only 2 hours away from me. I think Atlanta would be a good spot as well, although it might be just as hot as Austin back in 2003. Who knows, but folks out there, if you have the chance, really try and check out Nationals, it's a great time. So much energy, so much fantastic ultimate and for you veterans out there trying to get your rookies more fired up about our sport, take a road trip with them and show them what it's like at the very highest level. You never know what impact this kind of experience can offer. Plus I want more fans to read my drivel.

Club Season
I am not sure what is gonna happen this summer. I have a few contacts scattered across the country in the elite club scene and hopefully it's enough to put some good stuff together. I think the Boston crowd is still steamed at me from a year ago and hopefully they have seen that I have changed a lot since then and will talk to me.

On a more personal note, certain things in my life have been incredibly frustrating this year. My lab work has not been as promising as it once was, my grandfather passed away, and my foot injury has not healed as I would have liked and I will be out for most of the summer, ie no Potlatch :( . This might be my body's way of telling me to slow down and focus on things that don't involve cleats and grass. However, I am lucky that I have met someone who has made me happier than I have been in a long time. She has been so great in keeping my motor running and I am very thankful to have her.

Closing Thoughts

It's funny, I think more people know me as Match than my real name, Michael Fiedler. I have met people from all over the country and at all levels. The best thing about this is that I am nothing special on the field. I work really hard, I condition a lot, but I wasn't a teenage athlete like most of you out there were. However, I have had the ability to develop a name for myself in this sport. This isn't meant to be an egotistical statement, but rather an affirmation out there to everyone in this sport. Just because you aren't a highlight reel doesn't mean you don't matter. I was a B-teamer and I have never played at a level that I write about. However, I have a passion for this game and I put it to good use. I used a free blog to change the way people read and follow ultimate. I am not unique. Nothing I have done requires a significant amount of skill or money. Anyone can do it and I really hope more people do so.

I get asked to write about Women's ultimate or to focus on certain regions or teams, and my simple response is, if you want something written about this sport, do it yourself. I am lucky that I have a lot to say and if you've ever talked to me in person, I never shut up. However, if you want ultimate content, take the Rob or Gambler initiative and do it yourself. It isn't easy, it doesn't pay much/at all. It takes a ton of time and you will never get the appreciation you want. However, if you are passionate about it, it is truly rewarding.

To sum up, thank you to all those players out there that made ultimate fun to follow this year. Thank you to all my readers and supporters, without you, this wouldn't be possible. And lastly, I want to say thank you to all my haters. You have motivated me to work harder than I ever thought possible to create and package a beautiful thing that is read by people all over the country/world. Once upon a time you may have rattled my confidence, but in the end, more people know and like me. Wear it bitches!

just my thoughts

match diesel

PS Not that anyone is going to do this, but if you are on a team that has appreciated some press from me over the last year or just likes my stuff, feel free to send me some of your team merch. I love to sport jerseys, shirts, shorts, hats or whatever from organizations that matter to me and it really is the only payment I want for putting this stuff together.