Intro: This semester was defined by people stepping up into new roles. This ranges from captains knowing what works and doesn't work in terms of intra-team communication to a freshman becoming a handler. While reflecting on the past few ultimate months I realized team turmoil was inevitable and guaranteed because of these new roles. I wish we didn't have and had so much tension and hate on the team, but at this point it is something we all need to accept. People do not change for others, they only change for themselves. All we can do is treat others how we would like to be treated and hopefully the hotheaded on our team will soon mirror and match our positive attitudes. In a way I am imploring the sophomore class to be a model of respect within the class and to others.
I too stepped into a new role this semester, handler. I fucked up a lot early on and I fucked up a lot later on. Fucked up in terms of unforced errors on the field. Drops, bad throws and unnecessary hucks. I do hope to become a weapon in offense and defense but at the same time not take unnecessary risks. AC and Fickles have told me both things in different situations which implies to me that I need to find a happy Buddhist medium in my play. This is what I strive for next semester, conservative yet dangerous. Like Cheney! Lolololololol.
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Offense:
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Throwing
Backhand: Hucks hucks hucks hucks hucks. It's apparent that I can throw great deep shots when I am in the zone, but what about when I am cognizant of the throwing motion? Usually I fail when that is the case. Something to work on. How to improve? Throw more often outside of practice.
Flick: Hucks hucks hucks hucks hucks. 1 for 5 work. It will be more like 9 for 10 by the end of the season. How to get there? Throw more often outside of practice
Hammers: Is a fast and bullet-y hammer ok to throw? A hammer will be hard to catch regardless...maybe not a good line of reasoning. If not ok to throw, how does one practice better hammers?
Cutting
Handling so much took away from improving my cutting. It didn't get worse but I hesitate to say it got any better. How to improve this situation? Get better at handling then think about cutting.
Handling
Dump cuts were shitty...shallow predictable cuts.
Miscues on throws, risky spur of the moment short throws. Gotta holster baby.
Habit of dumping at 3 as a main handler. From cutting. Need to hold for at least two more stall counts.
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Defense:
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Downfield
Staying on your mans hip really works, thank you Kyle.
I realized I have the quickness to stay with my man on his hip, so why not do it.
Handler
Seems like it has gotten worse for some reason. I think it is due to body and foot positioning. Body angled towards the man and push where you want them to go. On the balls of the feet.
Mark
Broken tons. After CUFF I took the time to admit it's my job to cut off only half the field, not the whole thing. It is now pretty solid. Simiar to Bobby I need to work on cutting off the breakside then closing in on a swing. Did it twice in practice, essentially instinct now, hopefully.
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Overall:
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How I improved last year was all due to my humility and thirst for knowledge. I need to remind myself that I do not know everything about ultimate. I need to remind myself to ask tons of questions concerning how to play. These two things will vastly improve my game next semester. Deliberate and periodical practice of basic ultimate mechanics will also help. Gotta go back to square one my friends, with the coming of every new season.
This blog will be a great way for our class to express our ideas, suggestions, and perhaps frustrations with the game that we play in the years to come, as we strive to improve ourselves and others on the team.
"In a way I am imploring the sophomore class to be a model of respect within the class and to others."
ReplyDelete- Commendable, and I hope you live by it.
Throwing:
Yeah, it does come down to it. But throw with a purpose, always. Imagining situations in a game and recreating them is way more important. Also, its just about confidence. Having a balance of humility and swagger is important. Never, ever doubt yourself. I see you becoming a much better handler than I was, but you have to believe that you can and already are becoming that player. Make sure you have really really strong points (like say a really good IO flick break) that you can always fall back on if you're having a rough day. Having that really good something will help you regain your confidence after a rough point, or game. Bottom-line, just always *know* you are a good player, and its just that you're striving to be a GREAT player.
"Staying on your mans hip really works, thank you Kyle.
I realized I have the quickness to stay with my man on his hip, so why not do it."
- Great ethic, but don't lose sight of the whole field. A poach D is still a D.
Handler
- handler d is tough, its just about picking your shots and containment. Sometimes you have to play a little loose and push your guy a certain way, and other times body up on him. Also, don't be afraid of pushing your man strike (and then jumping ahead of him right before he makes the cut). Anticipating what your man wants to do, and making him do what he is uncomfortable doing is 90% of the game. the other 10% is just laying out in the split second you have with the confidence that you know that throw is going off. Cuz you have able 0 seconds to make that call.
Mark: I don't always just concentrate on my man; Sometimes its useful to take a (quick) sneak peek over your shoulder to see what's going on. Also, pay attention to their eyes. You can cut off a lot if you watch their eyes and anticipate the throw they want. These two things go hand in hand with cutting off the swing. As soon as the throw goes off dump (and you know you just aren't going to get there) take a look behind as you as you run across, so you aren't cutting off something that isn't there (and get pwnd IO or with a huck).
Overall: I wish I coulda watched you guys play so I could give better, more specific advice, and just marvel at how far you've come. Keep that shit up, I know you and your class is destined for great things.
cuz you have about*
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