The first round of our cuts is over. If you count every person who showed up at one of our open tryouts, the number is 60+. But those who showed up to 2 or more is somewhere in the upper 50s. Wed was a pretty fun practice. Close to 55 total, we eventually split into 3 teams once we figured out a field in between softball games. A quick round robin, all games to 3 kept my team in the middle at 1-1. We then split the winning team and played another 2 games. Good times. It was the first of the CUT boys up in town and they delivered as expected. Several people held their own and not many collapsed under the new pressure of more good players.
On Saturday, we arrived to an overcast day that promised to be very cold and windy, possible rainy. Luckily, the rain held off and it warmed a little bit. A cold day to play, but not horrible. Much better than anything last year. With only 2 of our 4 captains there, many of our cuts were made beforehand. But I believe there was a list of 8 or so guys that could play their way into the 2nd round. We had ~40 guys there, but only 35 playing due to injuries. After warmup/drills, we had 5 teams randomly chosen. Each team played a point, if you scored, you stayed. If not, go to the end of the line. The longest run, I believe, was a 5 point run by the first team out there. We ended with a 1-on-1 huck drill and a couple longer games. The other captain and I were looking at our "list" and trying to find if any of those guys would play their way onto the team. No one really did, we took a couple of flyers on guys who look promising and have typical ultimate athletic skills (good in air, on d, fast, etc).
We ended with a # of 40 by the end of the last scrimmage. After that, we announced those who advanced (all 23 returners and 17 newbies). I think we had ~14 of those guys set in stone before Saturday. They had done enough the first 2 days to warrant an extended look. The other 3 were made throughout the practice. Two things really stick out between those who can possible play at the level we want and those who can't - 1. Ability to move the disc side to side. It was somewhat upwind/downwind, but there was a decent crosswind as well. It exposed some handlers. 2. Ability to time a continuation cut. I feel that continuation after an upfield pass is not the hardest skill to learn/understand. But it seems that many people don't know it.
I would prefer to talk to each person individually, but really that is too time consuming. We do make ourselves available to discuss why or what needs to be done to get better, etc. Most of the people there know they will get cut and they are there just b/c it is open. There are a fair # who are disappointed and want to discuss it. This is easily the worst part of being a captain, telling someone they can't play with you.
So now round 2 begins. Round 2 will be 6 practices over the rest of May including a 2 game scrimmage with Madison this weekend. That will be fun. Anyone who makes it our 3rd and final round of cuts will go to Boston with us for the Boston Invite. And we decide after that. June will be even more intense and then we back off for a little bit in July concentrating on the disc sport of the future, Goaltimate.
The best part about tryouts is it allows me to slowly get in shape. Anytime I am tired, I can't stop what I am doing and "watch" the other tryouts... My workout schedule has been inconsistent at best, although over the past 14 days, I have only had 2 days off. Including a hard hill workout, a couple 800s on the track, and a couple sets of stairs. So my legs are slowly getting there. Unfortunately, my training has not really fit in anything above 25 minutes in terms of my longer runs. So endurance wise, I am not where I am usually there. Now with less guys at tryouts, more running and more intensity. That will be good.
Music stuff- if you go to a concert, do not hold your cell phone up in place of a lighter. Completely uncool. Why is your cell phone even on or out to begin with? And if you answer, "B/c I am taking a picture with my camera phone" well that is not a good answer. And you are even more uncool. New Pearl Jam is pretty good. I would not compare it to Ten/Vs/Vitalogy. But it is up there, definitely more of an attitude then some of the newer stuff. The first 2 songs are great. Oh, Raconteurs out today. I have not purchased it, but have heard a couple songs. Jack White does no wrong.
On Saturday, we arrived to an overcast day that promised to be very cold and windy, possible rainy. Luckily, the rain held off and it warmed a little bit. A cold day to play, but not horrible. Much better than anything last year. With only 2 of our 4 captains there, many of our cuts were made beforehand. But I believe there was a list of 8 or so guys that could play their way into the 2nd round. We had ~40 guys there, but only 35 playing due to injuries. After warmup/drills, we had 5 teams randomly chosen. Each team played a point, if you scored, you stayed. If not, go to the end of the line. The longest run, I believe, was a 5 point run by the first team out there. We ended with a 1-on-1 huck drill and a couple longer games. The other captain and I were looking at our "list" and trying to find if any of those guys would play their way onto the team. No one really did, we took a couple of flyers on guys who look promising and have typical ultimate athletic skills (good in air, on d, fast, etc).
We ended with a # of 40 by the end of the last scrimmage. After that, we announced those who advanced (all 23 returners and 17 newbies). I think we had ~14 of those guys set in stone before Saturday. They had done enough the first 2 days to warrant an extended look. The other 3 were made throughout the practice. Two things really stick out between those who can possible play at the level we want and those who can't - 1. Ability to move the disc side to side. It was somewhat upwind/downwind, but there was a decent crosswind as well. It exposed some handlers. 2. Ability to time a continuation cut. I feel that continuation after an upfield pass is not the hardest skill to learn/understand. But it seems that many people don't know it.
I would prefer to talk to each person individually, but really that is too time consuming. We do make ourselves available to discuss why or what needs to be done to get better, etc. Most of the people there know they will get cut and they are there just b/c it is open. There are a fair # who are disappointed and want to discuss it. This is easily the worst part of being a captain, telling someone they can't play with you.
So now round 2 begins. Round 2 will be 6 practices over the rest of May including a 2 game scrimmage with Madison this weekend. That will be fun. Anyone who makes it our 3rd and final round of cuts will go to Boston with us for the Boston Invite. And we decide after that. June will be even more intense and then we back off for a little bit in July concentrating on the disc sport of the future, Goaltimate.
The best part about tryouts is it allows me to slowly get in shape. Anytime I am tired, I can't stop what I am doing and "watch" the other tryouts... My workout schedule has been inconsistent at best, although over the past 14 days, I have only had 2 days off. Including a hard hill workout, a couple 800s on the track, and a couple sets of stairs. So my legs are slowly getting there. Unfortunately, my training has not really fit in anything above 25 minutes in terms of my longer runs. So endurance wise, I am not where I am usually there. Now with less guys at tryouts, more running and more intensity. That will be good.
Music stuff- if you go to a concert, do not hold your cell phone up in place of a lighter. Completely uncool. Why is your cell phone even on or out to begin with? And if you answer, "B/c I am taking a picture with my camera phone" well that is not a good answer. And you are even more uncool. New Pearl Jam is pretty good. I would not compare it to Ten/Vs/Vitalogy. But it is up there, definitely more of an attitude then some of the newer stuff. The first 2 songs are great. Oh, Raconteurs out today. I have not purchased it, but have heard a couple songs. Jack White does no wrong.
posted by sometallskinnykid at 9:02 PM
3 Comments:
Yes
How much better does a new guy have to be over a returning player in order for you to cut the returning player?
If we do cut someone from last year's team, the newer player would have to be a definite impact player or add depth in an area that we do not have much depth (assuming the returner does not play that position). And the returner would not be performing at as high of level.
I do not think we make the decision on head to head basis, but look to fill the roster with those we think are best. Trying our best to assign where people will fit. Knowing the system from the previous year helps, but so does solid play on the field.
Then, do we have room for more? or is there something we need?
Having some out of towners, we take more gambles with twin cities guys hopefully to grow them through practice experience.
Pfil - bow-staff skills help too
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