Watchung Hills goes 3-0, taking 1st place at the Radnor Invite.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Pre-Tournament Thoughts
First tournament this Sunday in Philadelphia. I'm not entire sure on the level of play that will be at this tournament, but no matter what teams we play, we gotta bring everything we got. No matter what kind of game you're playing, or what team you're playing, remember that you're representing your school.
Thoughts on our Offense:
Watchung should take more deep shots, but SMART deep shots. Not the random "pick-up the disc and huck to Jake Price" shit that we did in Fall. You work it up, chilly with the handlers, and instead of throwing huge 60 yard hucks, you can throw a long 40-50 yard pass that your receiver probably won't have to sky for, and instead, can simply run it down.
Look at the dump at stall 4. Don't depend too much on your in-cuts and end up making a stupid decision. Ace, know when to come in if the dump clears up-line.
And cutters, I know this may seem weird, but DON'T WAIT FOR THE PREVIOUS CUTTER TO CLEAR OUT. Cuts are either open, or not open. They don't gradually become more open as they continue. If you see that the previous cutter isn't open, don't wait for them to get out of the lane, immediately begin your cut, because by the time you've made your cut, the previous cutter will already be out of the lane.
Cutters, you have to realize that 8 out of 10 times you WON'T get the disc. And when you do get the disc, normally your job is to gain yards. That's it. Don't always look upfield immediately, because your handler might run up to get a quick dish-y from you.
Defense
Everybody needs to guard their man in a fashion that you can see the thrower AND the reciever. If we have a force, back your man and let him have the in-cut. By NO means should your man go deep on you, but keep yourself at a distance so that you can sprint in and perhaps get the layout D.
Get fucking pumped. Be a team. Don't be mellowed out like in the Fall. When we get a point, the sideline should rush to congratulate the seven that were on. Games become so much more intense when you have the team behind your back. When we're on defense, be loud as possible. On offense, chill out.
Own this Sunday.
Thoughts on our Offense:
Watchung should take more deep shots, but SMART deep shots. Not the random "pick-up the disc and huck to Jake Price" shit that we did in Fall. You work it up, chilly with the handlers, and instead of throwing huge 60 yard hucks, you can throw a long 40-50 yard pass that your receiver probably won't have to sky for, and instead, can simply run it down.
Look at the dump at stall 4. Don't depend too much on your in-cuts and end up making a stupid decision. Ace, know when to come in if the dump clears up-line.
And cutters, I know this may seem weird, but DON'T WAIT FOR THE PREVIOUS CUTTER TO CLEAR OUT. Cuts are either open, or not open. They don't gradually become more open as they continue. If you see that the previous cutter isn't open, don't wait for them to get out of the lane, immediately begin your cut, because by the time you've made your cut, the previous cutter will already be out of the lane.
Cutters, you have to realize that 8 out of 10 times you WON'T get the disc. And when you do get the disc, normally your job is to gain yards. That's it. Don't always look upfield immediately, because your handler might run up to get a quick dish-y from you.
Defense
Everybody needs to guard their man in a fashion that you can see the thrower AND the reciever. If we have a force, back your man and let him have the in-cut. By NO means should your man go deep on you, but keep yourself at a distance so that you can sprint in and perhaps get the layout D.
Get fucking pumped. Be a team. Don't be mellowed out like in the Fall. When we get a point, the sideline should rush to congratulate the seven that were on. Games become so much more intense when you have the team behind your back. When we're on defense, be loud as possible. On offense, chill out.
Own this Sunday.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Progression
Our first tournament will be next week, in Philly, PA.
Radnor Invitational. Let's mess some bitches up.
Thinking from the beginning of freshman year, no, even before freshman year, I've made a lot of weird changes Ultimate-wise throughout the seasons.
Freshman year, I started off with what I thought was a good forehand; it was nice and flat, not too wobbly, and I could huck it pretty far. Little did I know I was harboring the "asian flick" and was releasing about an inch away from my body, plus had low to high or accuracy on the throw. Most of my playing time on the team was spent clearing out of the lane back into the stack, and when I did get the disc, it was immediately sent back to a dishy for Glenn.
Sophomore year, I corrected most of my flick, but my definition of a low to high forearm consisted of extended all the way out, holding it, and then throwing an ankle forehand that had hardly any spin on it. Getting used to laying out, I developed an awful habit of laying out gratuitously, and sometimes failing to get the disc. Second half of sophomore year, I changed my forehand grip to a hybrid of the power grip, curling my fingers under the rim. This proved effective and I used it up until Junior year.
Junior year, I got rid of all of my bad habits, but a couple of injuries forced me to change my forehand and backhand style, but for the better. My forehand grip has now changed to a straight fingered power grip due to my jammed middle finger, and although I still apply the same amount of wrist and snap, I put more arm into it, giving me more power on my hucks. Backhand, I got rid of the pop (but still save it for certain cases) and break the mark using a low backhand or a quick release backhand.
But yet, there's still so much to work on...
Radnor Invitational. Let's mess some bitches up.
Thinking from the beginning of freshman year, no, even before freshman year, I've made a lot of weird changes Ultimate-wise throughout the seasons.
Freshman year, I started off with what I thought was a good forehand; it was nice and flat, not too wobbly, and I could huck it pretty far. Little did I know I was harboring the "asian flick" and was releasing about an inch away from my body, plus had low to high or accuracy on the throw. Most of my playing time on the team was spent clearing out of the lane back into the stack, and when I did get the disc, it was immediately sent back to a dishy for Glenn.
Sophomore year, I corrected most of my flick, but my definition of a low to high forearm consisted of extended all the way out, holding it, and then throwing an ankle forehand that had hardly any spin on it. Getting used to laying out, I developed an awful habit of laying out gratuitously, and sometimes failing to get the disc. Second half of sophomore year, I changed my forehand grip to a hybrid of the power grip, curling my fingers under the rim. This proved effective and I used it up until Junior year.
Junior year, I got rid of all of my bad habits, but a couple of injuries forced me to change my forehand and backhand style, but for the better. My forehand grip has now changed to a straight fingered power grip due to my jammed middle finger, and although I still apply the same amount of wrist and snap, I put more arm into it, giving me more power on my hucks. Backhand, I got rid of the pop (but still save it for certain cases) and break the mark using a low backhand or a quick release backhand.
But yet, there's still so much to work on...
Sunday, March 16, 2008
CHS vs Rutgers
I am highly impressed with how CHS plays. They play conservatively, moving the disc up and down the field, but also they're not afraid to make some deep shots. Individually, they're strong too. I saw some pretty sick skies and a nasty layout by Bryan Walter.
Rutgers, on the other hand, yeah.
Me, Lu and Kahyee were forced to play on the Rutger's B team against CHS B. After getting a layout D, I felt somewhat bad so I decided to stop playing. I also heard Swerdlow scream "BRIAN, GET OUT OF THERE" from across the field.
Stayed put and watched the rest of the Rutgers and CHS game, and then hit up the Cluck U Chicken. Hell yeah.
Rutgers, on the other hand, yeah.
Me, Lu and Kahyee were forced to play on the Rutger's B team against CHS B. After getting a layout D, I felt somewhat bad so I decided to stop playing. I also heard Swerdlow scream "BRIAN, GET OUT OF THERE" from across the field.
Stayed put and watched the rest of the Rutgers and CHS game, and then hit up the Cluck U Chicken. Hell yeah.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Tryouts
Tryouts in my opinion, make the team seem more organized and elite, but are honestly, useless.
I pretty much know all the people on the team and how they play; it was also reflected at tryouts, so it doesn't really make a difference.
A little disappointed in my 40 yard dash, though I don't really know how accurate it is because I only got 5.1. I broke 5 last year, and although I feel faster, apparently it didn't show up on the stopwatch.
More things that I have to work on.
Attacking the disc and not letting it come to me.
Also, I have to work on not getting broken as much.
Still more backhand, had a pretty shitty throwaway today that was somewhat unforced.
Not spiking every time I get the layout point. I caught the disc today and the adrenaline just forced me to spike it and I probably warped the disc.
Still need some work, but slowly, I'm getting there.
I pretty much know all the people on the team and how they play; it was also reflected at tryouts, so it doesn't really make a difference.
A little disappointed in my 40 yard dash, though I don't really know how accurate it is because I only got 5.1. I broke 5 last year, and although I feel faster, apparently it didn't show up on the stopwatch.
More things that I have to work on.
Attacking the disc and not letting it come to me.
Also, I have to work on not getting broken as much.
Still more backhand, had a pretty shitty throwaway today that was somewhat unforced.
Not spiking every time I get the layout point. I caught the disc today and the adrenaline just forced me to spike it and I probably warped the disc.
Still need some work, but slowly, I'm getting there.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
More Blood
Worked on dump and swing today, also some butterfly cuts.
Wind is still a big factor to my throws, and definitely a big factor for my hucks. I find it odd that I have more control over my forehand than my backhand; I have yet to gain the amount of control that I have for my forehand in my backhand.
A somewhat productive practice, I won't speak much besides let you know that the band field has done a terrific job in cutting and bruising me three to four times in one week. Today I fell down in a skying crowd, and later I noticed a fine cut in my left hand, causing blood to come out in a steady stream as I ran downfield.
Got blood on my white YCC Jersey. Kind of pissed.
Wind is still a big factor to my throws, and definitely a big factor for my hucks. I find it odd that I have more control over my forehand than my backhand; I have yet to gain the amount of control that I have for my forehand in my backhand.
A somewhat productive practice, I won't speak much besides let you know that the band field has done a terrific job in cutting and bruising me three to four times in one week. Today I fell down in a skying crowd, and later I noticed a fine cut in my left hand, causing blood to come out in a steady stream as I ran downfield.
Got blood on my white YCC Jersey. Kind of pissed.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Dynasty
So we didn't use the Woodland field again. But today, I was okay with it because we actually got a somewhat legit practice in. Started off with a long run, which I found that if I push myself a little, I can keep up with the faster kids on the team. Then we moved onto doing 25 backhands and forehands, which I quickly finished off, then moved onto hammers.
Ever since I've changed my forehand grip, I've only to throw blades: hammers that don't really flatten out. Before I could throw nice cross field hammers that didn't go too high and flattened out at the receiver, but now... they're just blades. I don't know how I'm going to adjust it to flatten out with this new grip.
Dynasty, baby. Me, Wes and Steve Silva handling gets us some pretty sick flow. Things us three need to work on...
Me: Don't be lazy, even when I'm sure I can easily break the mark, because if I throw a lackadaisical forehand, it'll turn to crap.
Wes: Look at the dump more, don't forget about it.
Steve: Good leads, but see that your receiver can catch up to that open space.
So I sort of slid into the only section on the field that had ice. This ice was thin and broke easily, so when it broke, it cut up my knee. It wasn't until after our dynasty that I noticed how much blood was on my leg.
Oh, it doesn't looko bad now, but that line on the left is deep as hell. Also, the caking of mud helps stop blood too.
Wonderful. One can never have enough protection when playing Ultimate.
Ever since I've changed my forehand grip, I've only to throw blades: hammers that don't really flatten out. Before I could throw nice cross field hammers that didn't go too high and flattened out at the receiver, but now... they're just blades. I don't know how I'm going to adjust it to flatten out with this new grip.
Dynasty, baby. Me, Wes and Steve Silva handling gets us some pretty sick flow. Things us three need to work on...
Me: Don't be lazy, even when I'm sure I can easily break the mark, because if I throw a lackadaisical forehand, it'll turn to crap.
Wes: Look at the dump more, don't forget about it.
Steve: Good leads, but see that your receiver can catch up to that open space.
So I sort of slid into the only section on the field that had ice. This ice was thin and broke easily, so when it broke, it cut up my knee. It wasn't until after our dynasty that I noticed how much blood was on my leg.
Oh, it doesn't looko bad now, but that line on the left is deep as hell. Also, the caking of mud helps stop blood too.
Wonderful. One can never have enough protection when playing Ultimate.
Friday, March 7, 2008
3.7.08
Today, I actually did not enjoy playing Ultimate.
Band field is crap, and it was rainy as hell. I forgot my underarmour, so I was really cold and my fingers got frozen. I had some pretty good handler motion, but I regret saying that I really couldn't throw anything else than a backhand because of how cold I was.
We scrimmed today, and Varsity showed the team how things worked. We held the JV back on their cup, but they got lucky and gained about 20 yards. Then we shut them down with a quick break to the endzone.
Not to be cocky or anything, but I feel as though the rest of Varsity has caught up to me. During the beginning of the season, I could have felt a large gap in skill between me and a good amount of the players, but now I can tell they're pretty much my level, which is a really good thing. A team where everyone's around the same level is perfect.
Guarding Art Yeh really forces me to play my hardest. I literally have to sprint every time I make a dump or upline cut. Unfortunately, I picked Art a whole bunch of times so I had to bring it back a couple of times.
I definitely need to get the mentality of laying out back. I neglected bidding a couple of times today because I thought I wouldn't be able to get it.
I had a nice backhand huck to Scott, but forgetting that the band field is merely 40-50 yards, it went right out the back.
God, I feel like Glenn, haha.
Band field is crap, and it was rainy as hell. I forgot my underarmour, so I was really cold and my fingers got frozen. I had some pretty good handler motion, but I regret saying that I really couldn't throw anything else than a backhand because of how cold I was.
We scrimmed today, and Varsity showed the team how things worked. We held the JV back on their cup, but they got lucky and gained about 20 yards. Then we shut them down with a quick break to the endzone.
Not to be cocky or anything, but I feel as though the rest of Varsity has caught up to me. During the beginning of the season, I could have felt a large gap in skill between me and a good amount of the players, but now I can tell they're pretty much my level, which is a really good thing. A team where everyone's around the same level is perfect.
Guarding Art Yeh really forces me to play my hardest. I literally have to sprint every time I make a dump or upline cut. Unfortunately, I picked Art a whole bunch of times so I had to bring it back a couple of times.
I definitely need to get the mentality of laying out back. I neglected bidding a couple of times today because I thought I wouldn't be able to get it.
I had a nice backhand huck to Scott, but forgetting that the band field is merely 40-50 yards, it went right out the back.
God, I feel like Glenn, haha.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
3.6.08
Fixed my mark today. Art Yeh came by to help us, and happened to come around the time when we were doing the 3 man-marking drill. I broke most of the marks with a low forehand, but I was getting broken most of the time when I was marking. Art Yeh reminded me to keep on my toes and shuffle, instead of lunging all the time. Doing this, I immediately got a whole bunch of hand and kick blocks, so yeah, that's some progress right there.
So Things I Still Need to Work On:
Hucks. Damn, I don't know why the progress of my hucks is such a rollercoaster. Sometimes I have perfect accuracy with my hucks, and sometimes it'll just turn into some awful outside in blade. One of my biggest problems with hucking is that I have to fully prepare for it; I can't just throw a 60 yard forehand without perfectly winding up for it.
Skying. I still don't know why. My vertical has increased by a lot, actually but I still can't read very well. I tend to underestimate the peak of my jump, and not catching the disc as early as possible, or overestimating my peak and watching the disc fly over my hands.
Catching. My hands have definitely gotten worse, because I can't catch everything within my range. I'm still at a straggling 85% chance of catching the disc when it comes to one-handed catches.
Laying Out. I got some of the fear back, so I can't really layout as willingly as before. The good thing is that the height of my layouts has increased up to around chest level, but I need absolute perfect mentality to do these.
3.6.08
So Things I Still Need to Work On:
Hucks. Damn, I don't know why the progress of my hucks is such a rollercoaster. Sometimes I have perfect accuracy with my hucks, and sometimes it'll just turn into some awful outside in blade. One of my biggest problems with hucking is that I have to fully prepare for it; I can't just throw a 60 yard forehand without perfectly winding up for it.
Skying. I still don't know why. My vertical has increased by a lot, actually but I still can't read very well. I tend to underestimate the peak of my jump, and not catching the disc as early as possible, or overestimating my peak and watching the disc fly over my hands.
Catching. My hands have definitely gotten worse, because I can't catch everything within my range. I'm still at a straggling 85% chance of catching the disc when it comes to one-handed catches.
Laying Out. I got some of the fear back, so I can't really layout as willingly as before. The good thing is that the height of my layouts has increased up to around chest level, but I need absolute perfect mentality to do these.
3.6.08
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
3.4.08
Field was wet today so we ran two miles around the school.
Mile 1: Around 8 minutes, didn't put much effort into it, felt really comfortable throughout the entire thing.
Mile 2: Around 6:40, put a bit more effort into it but ran at a hard, yet somewhat comfortable pace and sprinted the final couple of yards.
Played some hot box afterwards. You can't tell much of yourself from playing hot box, but I can tell my hands are getting a little worse. I'd say my range went from catching 90% of things in my range to about 85%. Mostly trouble with my left hand, which is understandable but there's no room for imperfection.
My forehand is in pretty good shape. Due to all the stretching I've been doing, I can get pretty good extension and I can release my forehand a good inch from the ground now. This helps a lot with the inside out I throw now, but I'm not sure where the hell my forehand huck went. My backhand is alright as of now, but I throw the quick release backhand way too often, and therefore I sometimes neglect going the extra mile to fake and throw the low backhand break. My backhand huck is really good off-field, but during the game I tend to forget about how I throw it off-field and end up throwing something somewhat floaty and overly OI. So yeah, a couple of things I gotta work on.
Legs are sore as hell, but it's good feeling.
Mile 1: Around 8 minutes, didn't put much effort into it, felt really comfortable throughout the entire thing.
Mile 2: Around 6:40, put a bit more effort into it but ran at a hard, yet somewhat comfortable pace and sprinted the final couple of yards.
Played some hot box afterwards. You can't tell much of yourself from playing hot box, but I can tell my hands are getting a little worse. I'd say my range went from catching 90% of things in my range to about 85%. Mostly trouble with my left hand, which is understandable but there's no room for imperfection.
My forehand is in pretty good shape. Due to all the stretching I've been doing, I can get pretty good extension and I can release my forehand a good inch from the ground now. This helps a lot with the inside out I throw now, but I'm not sure where the hell my forehand huck went. My backhand is alright as of now, but I throw the quick release backhand way too often, and therefore I sometimes neglect going the extra mile to fake and throw the low backhand break. My backhand huck is really good off-field, but during the game I tend to forget about how I throw it off-field and end up throwing something somewhat floaty and overly OI. So yeah, a couple of things I gotta work on.
Legs are sore as hell, but it's good feeling.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Stuff
Essential Throws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCQIy8I4pWo (use this video as reference)
Forehand:
None of that Asian flick crap either. When you huck, you can use that flick, but for 90% of the time, I want you guys to learn the low to high forehand. Nothing else can substitute it. When you throw this, you should get out and low, putting your weight on the right foot (or left, if you're a lefty). If you can throw low to high with the Asian flick somehow, then be my guess. But the moment you get hand-blocked or turf the disc, I'm making you change it. In the video, watch how Moses Rifkin steps out, and releases the disc in a fluid, circular motion. That is how your forehand should look. Oh yeah, Sam Chang, you gotta fix that shit!
+IO Forehand, OI Forehand
Backhand:
No air bounce, please. And I'm not talking about the subtle air bounce that you see most college players use to get their throws nice and low, I'm talking about Lou Bruno/Scott Hampton air bounce. And please, follow through your throw, I don't want a backhand thats completely wrist that slowly withers and dies to the ground. Watch the second half of the video to see how a backhand is correctly thrown.
+IO Backhand, OI Backhand,
High Backhand/Quick Release Backhand:
As a handler, you HAVE to know this throw. You need a quick, fast backhand where you can quickly get rid of the disc. The quick release and high backhand is thrown mostly with the wrist, and there isn't much follow through. The quick release is usually thrown before you even pivot fully, therefore letting you get a fast break on your defender for the continuation cut. Learn it.
Hammer/Scoober
I'd rather you have a hammer, but a scoober is good too. Hammers are thrown just like the flick. If you can't throw a hammer, start learning it by throwing a razor (a vertical forehand) and develop the hammer from there. The hammer is SO useful in the end-zone, and is a great way to get the disc over and past your defenders.
Learn them.
Practice with a throwing partner, at practice, off practice, weekends. Do 200+ throws for each.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCQIy8I4pWo (use this video as reference)
Forehand:
None of that Asian flick crap either. When you huck, you can use that flick, but for 90% of the time, I want you guys to learn the low to high forehand. Nothing else can substitute it. When you throw this, you should get out and low, putting your weight on the right foot (or left, if you're a lefty). If you can throw low to high with the Asian flick somehow, then be my guess. But the moment you get hand-blocked or turf the disc, I'm making you change it. In the video, watch how Moses Rifkin steps out, and releases the disc in a fluid, circular motion. That is how your forehand should look. Oh yeah, Sam Chang, you gotta fix that shit!
+IO Forehand, OI Forehand
Backhand:
No air bounce, please. And I'm not talking about the subtle air bounce that you see most college players use to get their throws nice and low, I'm talking about Lou Bruno/Scott Hampton air bounce. And please, follow through your throw, I don't want a backhand thats completely wrist that slowly withers and dies to the ground. Watch the second half of the video to see how a backhand is correctly thrown.
+IO Backhand, OI Backhand,
High Backhand/Quick Release Backhand:
As a handler, you HAVE to know this throw. You need a quick, fast backhand where you can quickly get rid of the disc. The quick release and high backhand is thrown mostly with the wrist, and there isn't much follow through. The quick release is usually thrown before you even pivot fully, therefore letting you get a fast break on your defender for the continuation cut. Learn it.
Hammer/Scoober
I'd rather you have a hammer, but a scoober is good too. Hammers are thrown just like the flick. If you can't throw a hammer, start learning it by throwing a razor (a vertical forehand) and develop the hammer from there. The hammer is SO useful in the end-zone, and is a great way to get the disc over and past your defenders.
Learn them.
Practice with a throwing partner, at practice, off practice, weekends. Do 200+ throws for each.
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