Bring it Back

Scrimmed for the first time in a long time today. Predictably, only 10-11 people showed up so as a result, we played 5 on 5.

Things I noticed about how I played:
When I have to get extra low to break a mark, I end up falling over. My forehand, I can deal with it, cause it ends up being like one of those fall-over forehands that Rhodes threw in the Rhino reel. My backhand on the other hand, is probably something I have to worry about. Sure, my low backhand can break the mark, but unfortunately I get fouled someway or somehow. Also, I lose my balance.
My thoughts on that? I've thought about it, and I've noticed that when I extend for my low backhand, the weight of my body is on my pivoting foot, rather that the foot that I'm stepping out with. I don't know if that would make a difference, but I'll try it next time I'm out on the field.

I'm not sure whether I'm making dump cuts correctly. I can make a nice up the line cut that can frequently lose my defender, but when cutting back for the dump, I'm often looked off. Not sure if it's my fault, because I find that I could get the disc if the handler just gave me a simple quick release backhand. But if in any case it is my fault, then I realize that I may have some trouble losing my defender on the cut for the dump/swing.

Over the past two days I've figured out the problem with my backhand huck and now it's gotten a lot better. While throwing around at the municipal field, I realized that I could pull a huge portion of the field, not to be cocky or anything. But today after scrimming I found that I couldn't pull nearly as far, also my pulls were going in less favorable directions. Maybe it's just lack of practice, but a lot of times I notice I'm not able to pull as well during actual games.

Things I noticed about how WE play:
The same problem that it's had for the past couple years, Watchung Hills... does not cut. There's really nothing I can think of as of now that can fix this problem, but just saying... its a huge-ass problem.

Got new cleats again. Why? Because the Nike Vapor Jets bruised my toe underneath the nail. The following is graphic. For a while, my nail was just completely black. When I took a closer look I noticed that a layer of dried blood had completely separated 80% of my toenail from my toe. Since it was the only way for recovery, I cut the nail off. Sounds nasty as hell, but fortunately it's already growing back.

So my new cleats? Mercurial Talaria IIIs. I was a little skeptical buying them because Bryan Walter told me they were bad, but after purchasing them, they're my favorite cleats yet. Sure, I like the cleat pattern on the Vapor Jets a lot more (a lot deeper and sharper) but the Mercurial Talarias are really comfortable once you break them in and light as hell. Also the tip of the shoe is flexible, so I don't have to worry about any more messed up toenails.

Yeah, I'm bringing the blog back.