Tryouts/practice/funtime

Got there at 955 with David. We were the first people there.

Ended up with 8, then 9, and finished with ten.

Started with 3-man weave twice, then 4-man weave (Designated Dump and Swing, downfield cutters alternate in-cuts and deep cuts, with only in-cuts being thrown to and only thrown by the "swing"). Ate some water, and then did Big Dick drill with everyone doing an in-cut and then everyone doing a deep cut. Played some 3v3 winners stay on, and then some 5v5.

Lastly, and the bestly as well, was two cone suicides. One about 10 yards out, and the next one about an additional 10 yards out. You make a cut at the first cone and come back under and catch the disc. You make two cuts per cone (To Cone1, back, Cone1,Back,cone2,back, etc.) and after you make your second cut on the last cone you book it deep and they hit you with a lead pass. That is my new favorite end-of-practice-conditioning-thing. It was recommended that you split it up into teams and its a race and the winner gets to come off. That is some conditioning.

I played alright, but my lack of stamina showed. I doubt they are taking me to jazzfest, but I don't think they mind if I show up to the practice once a week. I definitely don't have the throws to handle for the team, but I feel that I am dangerous out of the power position, especially if I get a cut to my flick side.

Also, the Canadian (and I think a captain for the team) gave me some tips on reducing the number of unintentional airbounces I have on my backhands. I think the advice would be useful for many of the players on the team. I can't quite articulate it that well, but involves moving your thumb closer to the rim of the disc, pivoting out before you turn your body, and keeping your core straight.

I also found out that every one of my bad flicks are when I tilt my core. Form is key.

This needed a title.

"The best cure for ego is ambition"

-Oliver Ruel

And I just can't hide it.

Ben got whiteboards.

I'm so excited.

Rain

Game in the rain in 40 minutes. Just ate some oatmeal.

Edit: You're lucky I'm not trying to unnecessarily bolster my post count.

Games started almost on time, but we had to play savage and they had 1 sub. Went down a quick 4-2 and decided to start playing defense and made it 6-4. At that point some bro had to pick up his wife, and then the other team had to play 5-2. Since we only had one girl, we had to play mandown 5-1. We then took half 8-4. We got to play 7's again after half, and we ended up winning 15-10. Unfortunately, their captain (who plays on Mamabird) got a disc or a hand or a something to the face and his teeth went through his lip. Thats pretty hardxcore. The one girl on our team played savage, had 3 layout D's and probably 6 points. She is good.

Speed TD's really don't care if it was raining. I broke my defender's ankles several times.

David heard about someone starting a club team around Albany with only 8 guys and volunteered himself. And then he vouched for me. So I have to wake up at some ungodly hour for tryouts/practice/funtime on Sunday AKA day after my birthday AKA when I should be hungover. Such is life.

uhhhhhthatsitfornowIthink.

PS: Lightning Bolt is in the next coreset.

editpps: 5-0

PPS

Sore from yesterday. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Mediocre

Full extention layout catch, full-field forehand huck, solid D, 13-15 loss.

PS: Shoulder jerk is misleading -- it's all in the hips.

IMO

4-0

4-0. Monday is for first place against Orange. I hope I'm not too hungover.

Caught a point. It was when Zac Hilton had to cover me deep in a zone. And on a 3 v 1.

Two posts in one day. Can't get much better than that.

PS -- 50/50's are paying off.

Blag

The captain for my Albany team is a powerful blagger. I hope to one day blag as proficiently as he does.

Hill

"But I resolved to myself right before match number one, sitting outside the waterfall-sculpture that flanked the Convention Hall, that whatever happened in this tournament I would not make excuses. That I would evaluate everything honestly. And the truth, in this instance, was that it was me, not the universe, who was creating this narrative, and it was me who insisted upon making it true at all costs." *

Also, I think when I catch. I figured that out when I was throwing a water bottle around with Tom and David last night. I was dropping the easiest two handed ones until I started actually looking at the bottle and how it was moving. I'm guessing the same thing applies to Ultimate. The mantra "eyes on the disc" doesn't just mean to simply look at the disc, it means to know exactly what it's doing. Knowing exactly how much that hammer is going to rotate and how exactly to place your hand on it. You might not necessarily need to think about that exact moment, but you have to be concentrating on the game. Concentrating on how you're gripping the disc, how you're setting up your next cut, everything. "Get your head in the game" may be cliche, but it's also true.

Throws aren't at a person, they're at a window. A lot of times the best window is right at their chest, but one has to recognize that even though the pretty play is to squeeze a disc in right in front of them, the percentage play is often a throw to the side of the receiver.

This flows nicely into knowing your teammates, because knowing exactly how fast David strides down the field is pretty important when you have to hit the 1 square foot window of his hands. This game, even at its lowest level, is a game of inches. Whether those inches come on 80 yard hucks or 5 yard barbecue backhands is largely irrelevant. Layout D's come on throws that are inches too close to their defender.

Just because you have the ability to make a throw doesn't mean you need to make it. Just because you are a better thrower than the other handlers doesn't mean you have to throw it. Just because you are the tallest person on the team doesn't mean you have to be the only deep. There is a lot of merit to running an offense (or defense) as a system rather than a bunch of players running an offense. Know what the object of your offense is and execute. Sure, you've got a 50 yard hammer, but is that what your offense is trying to do? If your offense is trying to Iso you so you can unleash it, perfect. Just because you complete an ill-advised throw does not mean it was the correct play. You need to know what your offense is trying to accomplish and then make a play based on that. This holds true on defense -- biting on a certain cut because you are in a man-defense mindset or poaching a lane because you're in a zone mindset can be crippling. Know how your defense is trying to force a turn and then play for that.

"I allowed it to stop being about me, and start being about the game, how I could play it, what I could do. I focused on what I was doing right now. I allowed myself to win. I refused to be afraid of the vulnerability that success implies. I allowed myself to be hurt, to be crushed even, by the possibility of impending loss. Only then could the competing possibility be realized."

Read it. Especially the 90% of you that both read this and play Magic. Zac Hill helps my Ultimate game more than he helps my Magic game. Both of the quotes are from this one.

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/misc/17595_Chatter_of_the_Squirrel_Honolulu_and_a_Hole_in_the_World.html

PS -- This one is probably better. Definitely better if you don't play Magic.

http://www.starcitygames.com/magic/misc/2005_Stuck_In_The_Middle_With_Bruce.html

I think that's it..

Nothing

Slept through all of my frisbee obligations today.

FML

(Untitled)

That's actually a title.

3-0. Obv.

This just in -- I actually enjoy playing defense.

Who woulda thunk.

What up.

"I was impressed with the guys I did not know coming in, Matt, Dubes, and Caitlin. Solid play, I remember one instance where Caitlin skied her girl but smacked the disc right into her chest, as well as a lay out D attempt by Dubes that was inches away from getting the jam on his cutter."

http://ectocoolwhip.wordpress.com/-- Sonny's Blag

Thats my second one. I'm gonna get it on Monday. I'm literally only going to play D points from now on, offense is boring as fuck. Helps avoid the whole elbow problem, too.

You guys best be working hard to avoid being shat on by me next semester, btw.

Eh

Won 15-11 (I think) against yellow team, but Red beat them 15-5 on Monday. David's team (Baby Blue obv) beat red today (16-14) though. Looks to be a pretty even regular season until Green(me) pulls away at the end.

Played pretty poorly today, mostly too slow to move. I could blame it on a lot of things, but I was just slow. My backhands look pretty, though.

I'm excited to go to a doctor so I can really throw again.

Thats it, I think.

Update

I'm trying to set a world record for blag posts in a month. Have fun.

Social league team (Purple obv.) won 15-12. 

I might have a backhand now. Might.

New house is pimp.

Ben and 2x4 are living with Trent next year.

I now wear a trucker hat backwards instread of my doober-rag.

That is all.

Albany Debut

Should have had a layout D if I led with the correct hand. Snertz is making me have actual ups. We have a kid on our team that would put Zephyer to shame. We might win the Summerleagueionship. Won first game 15-13 after playing savage for the first 7 and having our girl play savage the whole time, and without our captain.

About it.

Pickup

I played some pickup today. Snertz is already working its magic.

FUCK

Snertz today was worse.

Fuck Titles

DISCLAIMER -- This was supposed to release right after College Smollege, but I decided to not fail out. Sorry. 

DOUBLE DISCLAIMER -- This is probably not all that accurate and far from comprehensive. Eat it.

TRIPLE DISCLAIMER WHAT UP -- The formatting is weird at the end of this. Blame Blagger, not me.

I'd cover this weekend(College Smollege), but Ben covered it pretty accurately, although a bit too optimistic in my opinion. He only missed my layout-save of a garbage bag on the field, that the guy from Oneonta not only pants'd himself, but double-pants'd himself to fully reveal his everything, and my failure to use a beer-helmet. Such is life.

As far as I know, year two of GUNX ultimate is over, aside from some possible scrimmage/party/pub-date with Marist. To my recollection, I did not attend a tournament where we had more than 1 win(RPI, which I didn't attend, might have had 2). 

The team has made great strides in year 2, although our tournament record suggests that we just went to a lot of tournaments. What we lost in true Division III athletes (Zephyer and Benjy) we gained in dedication from our current Freshman class, which composed roughly half of our sectionals roster.  What we lost in experience (Kerry) we gained in blagging (too many). Practices ran more smoothly than the year prior, although still with room for improvement. 

Listing strong and weak points player by player would take more time than someone with a life or a passing GPA has. Lucky for you, I have neither. 

In alphabetical order, sectionals roster. By alphabetical order, I mean I don't know my alphabet.

David "I mean we're talking about practice" Atwood

Strong -- Speed and agility, definitely has 19 in dex.  Can make almost any throw. Destroys cups like they are made of a weak material. Grows an angry beard that will fight you.

Weak -- Needs to improve defensive positioning to not get caught on deep cuts. Needs to not be Thor.  Needs to look to complete the swing and dump more. Needs to improve vertical to not be outmatched against average height people.

Ben "The Forumla" Campbell

Strong -- Hucks, very powerful. Tall, very tall. Old man throw, very old. Moustache, very creepy. Forehands look like backhands. Backhands look like missiles.  Can make almost any throw.

Weak -- Aggressiveness, both in the air and defensively. Needs to rein in hucks to a reasonable amount. Needs to learn to jump to fully utilize height and lank. 

John "2x4" Chichester

Strong -- Wiley, very wily. Might have the fastest straight line speed on the team. Is a pirate. Denies cup crashing like he really dislikes cup crashing. Will literally donate a appendage to get acallahan. 

Weak -- Needs to either think more or less to improve catching. Needs to work on footwork both defensively and offensively to utilize his straight-line speed. Needs to do agility drills. Needs to improve pivot to improve throwing form; needs to improve throws.

Brian "That's not the point" John Collis

Strong -- Can make almost any throw on the field. Lank + Ups = Crazy delicious.  His scoobersover cups make me want to tan on the quad with him. Straight line speed and cutting ability lets him play any position on the field. 

Weak -- Needs to improve mental game to not get psyched out when down; if he plays at his highest intensity all game, he is a man-beast. Must learn to balance his  play style betweenhuckmaster and conservativemaster. 

Bridget "Clap clap clapclapclap" Conrad

Strong -- Can make almost any throw on the field. When on top of her game can rein in her ability to throw deep with the knowledge not to.  Has the knowledge to play any position the field. 

Weak -- When coming off injury is critically slow; is so slow that she cannot keep up with a guy/get open vs. a guy.  Needs to improve athleticism to be able to capitalize on her excellent throws.

Bradley "Bro Chill" Gorfien

Strong -- Has excellent closing speed. Is bro chill. Can make the long throw

Weak -- Needs to either think more or less to improve catching. Needs to get a library card to improve reading skills. Needs to develop short throws. Needs to improve acceleration and agility in order to make devastating in-cuts off his deep-cuts. 

And Owen Hayden

Strong -- Uses his size to his advantage; will create good positioning. When practiced, can make almost any throw on the field. Knows how to time his jump to maximize chance of making a play.

Weak -- Needs to better recognize foul calls. Needs to understand his role on the field and team in order to maximize his skill. 

Eli "Matzah Boy" Herbst

Strong -- Straight-line speed is excellent. Will want to win more than most anyone. LovesMatzah. 

Weak -- Needs to either think more or less to improve catching. Needs to get a library card to improve reading skills. Needs to dedicate more time outside of the game to make throws more consistent. 

Scott "Nickname" Kuhner

Strong -- Can make a good breakmark throw on command. Ups are to be feared, as are his calves. Has excellent field awareness allowing him to make plays on the disc, especially defensively.  Has luscious locks of beautiful flowy hair. 

Weak -- Needs to improve knowledge of the game in order to improve offensive positioning and help-ability on defense. Needs to improve straight-line speed to be able to truly be a defensive man-beast. 

Stephen "Nachreiner" Mackreiner

Strong -- Straight-up athletic. Could be a model. Is actually the hulk. Sweet flow when with certain other players.  Has competent throws for a cutter. 

Weak -- Needs to find flow with all handlers.  Throws could use work. Needs to be more aggressive in several areas -- in the air on defense and offense, as well as using speed for deep cuts. 

Ellen "Witch" Mullen

Strong -- Is tall. Esp. for a girl. Reads swings and throws well to get into position to make the next cut.

Weak -- Needs to improve defensive positioning to not get beat deep. Needs to either think more or 

less in order to improve catching. Needs to improve throws. 

Tom "Too Tall" O'Malley

Strong -- Is tall. 2nd best beard on the team. Has good throws. Has excellent flow with certain 

members of the team. Has a good grasp on basic ultimate theory and thus can play most positions 

on the field.

Weak -- Needs to improve field-vision to become a solid handler. Needs to improve acceleration

in order to set up his deep cut. Needs to improve conditioning.

Charlie "The Hammer" Ostrander

Strong -- Has good throws, esp his namesake throw. Has excellent acceleration and agility to

make up for lack of deep speed. Has good knowledge of the game and thus can play any position.

Weak -- Needs to improve conditioning to play longer and more effectively. Needs to work on 

decision making and field-awareness.

Kelsey "Doesn't have a nickname either" Rey

Strong -- Sets up her cuts well letting her get open in and out. Makes all the easy catches and

some difficult ones. Has passable throws for a cutter.

Weak -- Needs to work on long speed in order to play open. Needs to read swings better.

Robert "A giant" Schemeitch

Strong -- I spelled his name right without looking. Is a giant. Uses size well on deep cuts.  

Knows the game well and knows how to play every position on the field. Can make almost any

throw on the field.

Weak -- Needs to work on Agility, Straight-Line Speed, and acceleration in order to get open 

as a cutter or handler. Needs to improve conditioning in order to play longer and more effectively.

Needs to have more confidence in his throws.

Mitch "Showboat" Scott

Strong -- Possesses excellent straight-line speed, acceleration, and agility. Is perhaps the 

most in-shape member on the team. Definitely the cutest. Has good break-mark throws. 

Throws are more than competent for a cutter. Has enough knowledge of the game to play any

position on the field. Can lay-out very well.

Weak -- Could use work on deep throws, especially since he will be open on the in cuts and will 

have no mark. Marking could use work. Needs to be more aggressive.

I'm bad at conclusions, but every person on the team needs to improve their throws, 

get faster, and improve their conditioning. Most importantly, people need to bring intensity to 

practice. Our game practice should be where our practices are, and it'll make our game intensity

that much higher.

I didn't do my player-profile. Help me out.

Today

David and I threw today for about 30 minutes. We had to stop because my elbow started to hurt.

I have to be doing something wrong.

FUCK

I just got back from Snertz.