Winter Ulty - Week #2

"Because when I arrive

I, I bring the fire

Make you come alive

I can take you higher."

Kevin Rudolf & Lil Wayne - Let it Rock

I had a hard time "bringing the fire" this week to my two games. I'll bore you with the details below.

- Monday I did one of my new speed workouts that KJ suggested during my initial consultation: sprint intervals. For non-runners, and for those who might like to improve "first step" speed, sprint intervals are when you sprint for 100 or 200 meters, take a short recovery jog, and sprint again. I did 10 sprints/recoveries on Monday since it was the last day before the snow hit Ottawa.
- Tuesday's Fish workout was fun. I think I was doing my exercises too quickly though. We decided it was time to book an appointment with KJ this coming week to change up our workout. Afterall, variety is the spice of life....

- I really don't want to write or talk about Wednesday. I'm ashamed of my performance, and can't think of anything positive about that game.

- If memory serves, Thursday I lifted some weights. Definitely went to Michelle's class...where we got through three circuits. Had trouble doing the side stepping with the agility ladder.

- Friday's game was definitely better than Wednesday. Low-light was making a few stupid decisions (one throw-away, one pass intercepted by a poaching defender, and one pass that was a tad too high for a team-mate to pull down).

- Multiple high-lights in Friday's game, but the one I remember most was getting a few cuts off against one of the better players in the league who plays in the open program. I also ran my ass off trying to cover him on D.

- Even though we lost (18-13ish), it was a close game against a talented team (that should lose some players after next week). The whole captaining thing is still a challenge for me. I'm not sure how much coaching/captaining to do, since the great majority of my team has been playing the sport much longer than I have....and kind of do their own thing.

- Another post-game high-light was getting to talk with one of the veterans on our team at the A&L after the game. He's one of those guys I respect a great deal, and is a national silver medal winner from Mule. I love the fact he plays so smart.

- Next Friday is shaping up to be interesting. Coach Stu and his partner Sue are subbing for my team, since the Gelato-star and Pistol Pete are off to be black sheep in La Belle Province.

- High-light of the week: I ordered a pair of black G4's from Gaia! :D I'm not going to lie, these cleats excite me...all over *haha*

On that note, I'm glad this week is over. I'm definitely going to make an effort to play smarter next Wednesday. I've been considering cutting more, since that's really what I wanted to work on this winter. It's just that, my Wednesday team is a bit handler light....and if I cut...our athletic handler count decreases by 50%. Decisions, decisions *sigh*. Until next time, happy hucking!

Failure

"Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm."
Sir Winston Churchill

No amusing post-IID-game summary this week. We got blown away 28-10, and I was a big reason why we lost. I got hand blocked three times in the first half, had passes intercepted, got beat on D, and didn't make smart decisions. After racking up impressive offensive stats last week, I was shut out on goals and assists. My brief fantasy of playing my way onto the other side of the curtain was completely dashed by my abysmal performance. Oi vey, I didn't even give the stylin' IID alumnus a chance to say her well rehearsed quote *sigh*. The one saving grace is that Mahatma wasn't around to see my train wreck of a performance. Wow…how quickly things change....

Indoor vs. Outdoor

"Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage."
Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet with Butterfly Wings

"She needs wide open spaces
Room to make her big mistakes."
Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces

Great ultimate players should be able to dominate on any playing surface. That being said, I've noticed that there are certain skills that are required to transition from playing on grass to playing on turf (or carpet). The indoor game is quicker, more intense, and played in a controlled environment. The following is a non-comprehensive list of the skills you'll need to be successful in a bubble.

Speed
There are two types of speed that are important inside. One is the first step, sprinter speed, that players like Airborne Steele and Oops I'm InJerRed possess. This foot speed is important to cut effectively on O, and get those catch up D's. Equally important, is the mental agility to make quick decisions. With only eight stalls, decisions must be near automatic indoors, or you'll be stalled down.

Focus
Everyone knows a "slow starter" who seems to show up to play after half-time when the game gets close. With shorter time slots, and playing to time cap, every point indoors is important. If you're not stretched, mentally focused, and ready to work your ass off, you should let your team-mates play for you until you're good to go at 100%. There's no time for easing into the indoor game.

Fitness
Inevitably, the first few weeks of indoor, you'll find yourself sucking wind. No amount of running, interval work, or cardio training will prepare you for the short quick bursts you'll need to survive playing one or two points on, and one point off. Additionally, I find it hard to breath in the various Ottawa domes, and can understand the difficulty faced by people with asthma. Committing to a fitness program that prepares your body to survive the rigors of indoor play is paramount.

Confidence
Here's an observation that few could argue with – throws are easier in a controlled environment (i.e. no wind), so it's an opportune time to let some harder throws fly. Having confidence will allow you to experiment more on the field, and improve your overall game. Don't get me wrong, when the game is on the line, only use 100% throws. However, some of your 70% and 80% throws become 100% throws inside if you have confidence.

Decision Making
Even though it was mentioned in the "Speed" category, it bares repeating since you have to make more correct decisions faster to excel indoors. With only six players on the pitch, you'll see the disc more, and have to make quick decisions to keep the disc moving. Struggling with making the right decisions every time you touch the disc will slow you and your team down.

Disregard for Layout Scars
If you want the disc, there are ample opportunities to layout and get it indoors. Unlike layouts on soft grass, layouts on turf end up hurting every time. On the other hand, if you don't layout, not only will your team-mates razz you about it, you'll have a case of the "should haves" after the game. Unless you're playing at the Carleton Carpethouse, there's no excuse not to take the literal plunge.

Keeping the above items in mind, you should be better prepared to turn heads inside this winter. Remember that turf burns and layout scars are badges of honor, and should be displayed prominently ;-) Until next time, happy hucking!

Week 2 Picks

"Predicting the future is easy. It's trying to figure out what's going on now that's hard."
- Fritz Dressler

Here's an admission: I quite enjoyed making IID picks on here last week. On OUHA, you have a bunch of strangers reading your words, and interpreting them any way they wish. Whereas on here, I know most of my readers, so the picks aren't taken too seriously. At the risk of tooting my own horn, I picked 75% of the games right last week, and I'm pretty sure I got my quote correct as well. Will I be able to acheive 100% accuracy this week? Don't hold your breath ;-)

Team 6 vs. Team 5

With both teams looking to rebound after week 1 losses, the smart money (i.e. funds not invested in financing the song "Car Crash" on CBC Radio 3 *tee hee*) is on team 5 to pull out the win. Why does the smart money favor team 5? Smart money comes from smart players. There are confirmed rumors that one "tall drink of water" (quoteth #24) on team 5 keeps track of his positive and negative accomplishments each game by way of a notebook. A smart improvement plan if there ever was one. As stated in my initial set of picks, team 5 has the talent to be one of the top teams in the league…it's just a matter of meshing styles. Team 6 looked to have trouble handling the speedy women on team 3 last week, and will be in for another tough test in trying to shut down Ms. Bush. So as not to be totally negative on team 6, I think they have one of the strongest groups of handlers in IID. Any post-holiday shuffle that brings team 6 some cutters will undoubtedly strengthen their team.

Team 1 vs Team 2

The other two "loveable losers" from week 1 face off in what should be a close game. Having seen a few points of team 1's loss last week, it's obvious that the great Kamasutra didn't distribute height evenly throughout the league (see the giants on team 3 as further proof). What makes it obvious? There was this 5'4 guy on team 1 that weighed about 100 pounds (if had been painted with lead) that wore a t-shirt "Will Flex for Food". The sad thing is, he wasn't the shortest player on that team. *sigh*. With coach Cory back in the line-up, team 1 will be improved. Hopefully, Deefense can Waite will also return for team 1, since they seemed to be lacking her energy last week. Although I hate to bet against my captains from last year, I think team 2 will take this match-up. Team 2 has tones of talent, and will use the height of "Tree" Thomson to their full advantage. Also look for MC to "Steele" the show by shutting down the Leggy girl on team 1.

Team 7 vs Team 4

Team 7 will be rockin' our black shirts which increase our chances of winning this tilt. I'm hoping that team 4 blew their collective load to pull out a tight win last week, and that their Good-key won't open any clear lanes for them. With unconfirmed rumors that Pistol Pete hurt his shoulder while trying to impress his uber cool girlfriend with gratuitous layouts last week, number 55 will look to test number 25's fitness ;-) I'm really looking forward to seeing who on team 4 (if anyone) will step-up to cover Giddy-up (who is quickly moving up my list of favorite team-mates who chase after my errant hucks). Lastly, I'll predict that Gym Rockin' Robinson will dig into his purple-wearing past to be a deciding factor in team 7's win.

Ocho vs. Team 3

Team "Ocho" surprised me by their large margin of victory over team 1 last week and impressed me by picking such a cool name. For those accomplishments, they earned my respect. However, my gut feeling is that team 3 will dominate the league until the Almighty Mahatma blows them apart. With two Fish women (Golentement and Morehands), and my ulty-name-crush formerly known as Delongchamps (who could easily play competitive with her speed and handling skills), team 3 has the strongest women in the league this side of team 7 ;-) With two male giants, the amazing ChowareyouonlySTILLa4inLeagueWonder (when he recovers), and de-captained Jody to keep things organized, all that team 7 is missing is a lanky handler to send discs deep and high (I might know someone who's interested…). I'll pick team 3 by a sizable margin…possibly double figures.

This week's predicted quote will come from a stylin' IID alumuni, who will undoubtedly be courtside to see the clash of the undefeated titans at 9:30pm. With a vested interested in the outcome of the game, this former IID star will at some point in the game exclaim:
"Yo 25. Stop making 55 look better than he is. Bring the fire P-star!"

On that note, I'm off to dream of skies, layout D's, and smart decisions. Can't wait til Wednesday at 9:30 :) Until next time, happy hucking!

Winter Ulty Recap!

"I'm not happy with your happy hucking ways!"
- Anonymous ultimate mentor to an overly happy hucker...who likes purple.

"When we play eachother, I'm going to cover you all game."
- Anonymous former team-mate to a happy hucking, purple preferring, fast-running Fish.

Amusing recaps aside, it felt great to get winter ultimate underway. Here's the first of 20 weekly recaps to appear this winter (barring any injuries *crossing fingers*).

- Mr. Two Pointer and I have been getting together for a couple of weeks now and going through the KJ approved workout on Sundays at my local gym. It's crazy how fast we can get through the sets of the workout when it's just the two of us. Having said that, I'm looking forward to Sandra being able to join us one of these weeks when she's not "sick" (haha).
- Tuesday's KJ approved workout with the four Fish continues to make my figure slightly less girlish. Sandra entertained us with an odd saying about big, blue balls. A saying that is best left unrepeated.
- At the risk of overanalyzing the first IID game of the year, I thought I'd do the usual positive and negative summary.
- My positive is that my sprint speed has already improved. There were a few times on D and Berkley cuts where I found myself blowing past my opponent. Not to say that I don't have a lot of work to do to get to the point where the improvement would be obvious to GLUM Ford, but I'm on my way. The classes, KJ workouts, and sprint intervals I'm running are paying off.
- Since I usually come across quite negative in this blog, I'll give another positive for Wednesday, in that I was very happy with my "competitive mindset". There were some tough match-ups for me on team 2 that I would have shied away from a year ago, but that I chose to initiate Wednesday night. Knowing that I'll face players in the summer where I give away height, experience, and speed…I picked three people on team 2 that I was able to match up against that would teach me how to effectively mark these types of players. The speed match-up was pretty close :)
- As for a negative, my decision making was awful, especially in the second half. I'm glad former captain GinnandJuice didn't hang around after his team lost, since I rarely dumped at stall 4, and forced more than my share of throws. Which leads me to my personal goal for next week: no throw-aways. Frankly, I have to play smarter with El Ultimo Organizero as a captain...since she's also a Fish captain.
- Thursday's workout with Michelle was the first of the winter that made me sore. I blame those damn resistance bands and the arm curl exercises we did with them.
- Friday's game was odd because:
1) We got behind 9-1
2) It was my first time "co-captaining" a team (granted, I did next to nothing in terms of captaining duties...for which I feel a tad guilty).
3) My bad decision making from Wednesday continued.
- As for the positives, after getting so far behind, our team rallied and came back to tie a very talented squad (including Mr. Two-Pointer, Devlish Kennedy, and Lovely Liz (of Late Night fame)). As a "co-captain", I was so proud of the way we rallied. I like to think just a little bit of that was my example...even if I'm wrong ;-)
- Again, the big negative is decision making. If I want my team-mates to dump on 4 or 5, why am I not doing that? If I hold my breath everytime one of them hucks long to an unsuspecting cutter, why am I doing that? I need to play smarter next week and set a better example. The same "no throw-away" goal will apply.
- Sadly, I wasn't able to join the team for a post-game bevy at the A&L since I had to get up at 8am for 9am pick-up ulty this morning.
- My heart just wasn't in pick-up this morning. Without any open guys there (well...there was one Carleton/Firebird dude), I couldn't really get the competitive juices flowing. I hucked a lot (quel surpise), had one nice break throw for an assist, and misjudged a disc so badly that I got skyed by a guy who's about 5'5 lol. Oh yea, my team lost...but I blame that on G dominating her overmatched (and hung over) opponent on my team ;-)

To summarize, I have to start playing smarter ultimate next week. I know I'm capable of it, so I have to buckle down and execute. As a way to motivate myself, for every throw-away I have in IID and on Friday, I'm going to do 10 push-ups (P.S. I hate push-ups). Hopefully next week's recap will contain two 'mistake free' games.

Oh, and before I forget, the second quote should prove for an "interesting" match-up in a couple of weeks. Admitedly, this quote has me fired up to take this former team-mate for a run. Until next time, happy hucking.