Tryouts have begun. This is our 4th year of starting the weekend after college regionals. We figure we are mainly recruited college kids, so that have momentum and hopefully they are in shape. We start out with 3 open to anyone tryouts. This past weekend was beautiful and we had ~35 guys there. We are expecting more tomorrow b/c there was a conflict w/ a high school tourney as well as most everyone is Northfield had a conflict.
That was actually a low # for us, the past 2 years we have been close to 50 the first couple of tryouts. 35 worked out well, 50 is way too much for only one field (it was crowded at Nokomis on Saturday). It seems there are 60+ at Moe tryouts this year, maybe they are more attractive.
We tell everyone we are looking for defense, athletic ability, good decision makers, and good teammates. I think Dave has given the same talk all 4 years. After that we did various amount of drills to showcase either 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 skills. Everything live o and d. We are looking for that unexpected hit that we have been lucky with the past couple of years (berkseth, shane, mark, to name a few). Then split into 2 teams and had 3 scrimmages. With one team coming out on top all three times. And that team was not mine.
There was some solid players, no one made the decision ez by clearly dominating. This year, we are doing 3 rounds of cuts. This coming up weekend being the first round. After nationals 2nd round, and after Boston 3rd round. There were several guys who did enough to advance to the 2nd round. No real set # for round 2, but whoever we think could make our team. But the competition always increases when the CUT boys (and if any Madison boys show up after natties). Last year, tryouts were completely different before CUT/Hodags arrived and after they arrived. Obviously, those 2 schools are the class of the region and they expect to be the best. They carry themselves in that fashion. While some of the smaller, newer programs have guys who are not nearly as confindent and not nearly as used to succeeding. Let's just say, the CUT/Madison boys were in control of tryouts when they were there.
The exceptions are the ones that make it. Kyle last year. Berkseth, Shane, etc from 2 years guys. Guys who go out there with something to prove and to show they belong. It is fun to watch, although they are less experienced, they are a sponge. Soaking everything up and not wanting anyone from those 2 squads to take a spot from them. That is when tryouts get fun. Usually this takes place in early June, b/c that is when the guys who qualified to nationals arrive. This year it starts tomorrow due to the epic 1 bid battle in Iowa City. {We have a rule, if your team makes college natties, you do not have to be there until after Memorial Day}.
It is crazy though. Not much teaching of an offense. 3 handlers, 2 sets of buddies downfield. Some rules, but not many. I personally like to see creativity out of the tryouts this early on. Do they have any clue what is going on besides themself? Or are they just running around only concerned about themself getting the disc? At times, it is very disorganized and very chaotic. This also allows more opportunities for ds.
This year, it is probably more competitive than ever. We have most of our squad returning. Plus, the quality of ultimate in twin cities area is picking up. Plus, there are some good locals who are a year or 2 removed from the college scene that are now interested in playing with us. All this for up to 8 spots or as little as no spots. Definitely makes the decision making process more fun and much harder. The first round will be ez. The second round, that should be interesting. We will venture to Boardman's house, fill up the whiteboard with names and go from there...
That was actually a low # for us, the past 2 years we have been close to 50 the first couple of tryouts. 35 worked out well, 50 is way too much for only one field (it was crowded at Nokomis on Saturday). It seems there are 60+ at Moe tryouts this year, maybe they are more attractive.
We tell everyone we are looking for defense, athletic ability, good decision makers, and good teammates. I think Dave has given the same talk all 4 years. After that we did various amount of drills to showcase either 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 skills. Everything live o and d. We are looking for that unexpected hit that we have been lucky with the past couple of years (berkseth, shane, mark, to name a few). Then split into 2 teams and had 3 scrimmages. With one team coming out on top all three times. And that team was not mine.
There was some solid players, no one made the decision ez by clearly dominating. This year, we are doing 3 rounds of cuts. This coming up weekend being the first round. After nationals 2nd round, and after Boston 3rd round. There were several guys who did enough to advance to the 2nd round. No real set # for round 2, but whoever we think could make our team. But the competition always increases when the CUT boys (and if any Madison boys show up after natties). Last year, tryouts were completely different before CUT/Hodags arrived and after they arrived. Obviously, those 2 schools are the class of the region and they expect to be the best. They carry themselves in that fashion. While some of the smaller, newer programs have guys who are not nearly as confindent and not nearly as used to succeeding. Let's just say, the CUT/Madison boys were in control of tryouts when they were there.
The exceptions are the ones that make it. Kyle last year. Berkseth, Shane, etc from 2 years guys. Guys who go out there with something to prove and to show they belong. It is fun to watch, although they are less experienced, they are a sponge. Soaking everything up and not wanting anyone from those 2 squads to take a spot from them. That is when tryouts get fun. Usually this takes place in early June, b/c that is when the guys who qualified to nationals arrive. This year it starts tomorrow due to the epic 1 bid battle in Iowa City. {We have a rule, if your team makes college natties, you do not have to be there until after Memorial Day}.
It is crazy though. Not much teaching of an offense. 3 handlers, 2 sets of buddies downfield. Some rules, but not many. I personally like to see creativity out of the tryouts this early on. Do they have any clue what is going on besides themself? Or are they just running around only concerned about themself getting the disc? At times, it is very disorganized and very chaotic. This also allows more opportunities for ds.
This year, it is probably more competitive than ever. We have most of our squad returning. Plus, the quality of ultimate in twin cities area is picking up. Plus, there are some good locals who are a year or 2 removed from the college scene that are now interested in playing with us. All this for up to 8 spots or as little as no spots. Definitely makes the decision making process more fun and much harder. The first round will be ez. The second round, that should be interesting. We will venture to Boardman's house, fill up the whiteboard with names and go from there...
posted by sometallskinnykid at 10:56 PM
1 Comments:
Andy-
If you can cause a lot of turns or be a great receiver, then it will be easy.
If not, well... One advantage that CUT/UW guys have is they play in a system that involves the whole team. Many smaller schools or not as good schools rely on 2 or 3 guys to do most of the getting open and throwing. In college, this results in a lot of running around and cutting people off and making risky passes while looking off easy open ones.
If you can adjust to the idea that the team you will be trying out for has many good players all of which could get hot and dominate a game. But normally, they play within a structure that allows them to get open and their teammates to contribute as well.
The players from the not as dominant programs often times have trouble "playing well with others".
Another problem is throwing long does not equal throwing long well. Most club teams have established deep throwers. The way we say it as tryouts, if you are going to throw expect to complete it. Sounds stupid, but at the college level the above statement is not always utilized.
So my advice is play hard. You must think to yourself that the play is never over. Follow the play or the big huck.
Remember that you are playing with 6 other guys who are good. You do not have to win the point yourself. Be an unselfish teammate with the disc (ie always hit open guys).
Play good d. Limit break marks. If you are not getting the d, are you always there. Are you always getting burned under or deep?
If you believe you belong, then you will be able to hang. Just b/c you are playing against someone with a "name" does not mean they are better than you. Always make the player covering you (or that you are covering) earn it. CUT/UW guys expect to win their match-up. Guys from other schools don't. Expect to win your match-up.
Do whatever the leaders of the team tell you and don't be afraid to ask for advice, help, clarifications. Find someone to give a little one-on-one feedback about specific circumstances, particularly if you do not understand them.
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