Friday, January 29, 2010

1st indoor of 2010

Pretty sweet to play with cleats on. The new cleats are super nice.

LJ style:

+Got a few ds
+Scored some goals
+Two solid bids, one layout and one jumping/falling backwards bid to save possesion
+Two handblocks

-No endurance
-Got scored on a few times
-Got burned deep by short/old people
-Could not stick with my man on d
-cradle dropped four hucks
-missed an easy jump d by an inch
-did not use the three point stance for throwing or marking until almost the end of the night
-lazy marks

Most of the minuses are caused by mental errors and fatigue. Bottom line: I need to get back in shape, I need to get in better shape, I need to focus even when I am tired and I need to grit it out on d.

Team work ethic: high
Sectionals fields: lined
Dry season exceptions: 0
What.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Work out lock out knock out

I'm blagging live from Tom's room, because my dumb as locked myself out. First time this year whoo whoo.
Anyway, the work ethic displayed by the Gunx thus far has been excellent. The trick will be maintaining that level of commitment across the board. Today we had at least 16 at lifting, including full fledged team members and potential studs who have never committed, but heck maybe this will be the year. Things are going our way right now in a few respects, recruitment included. If we keep even half of our recent recruits it will be good looks for us.

A switch to the metro section could come up big for us, it definitely is huge for sectionals.
Today before lifting we had a game outside in the cold and wind, word up. We had 7s to start for at least eight points. Yes.

Attendance will surely decrease somewhat when work starts hitting but if the work ethic stays strong we will achieve our goals.

I think I had more to post than that. Ah well another time.

Monday, January 25, 2010

We're back baby

Dry season begins in earnest today. We celebrated its coming in the best possible ways. Time to get serious and do work.

Fumbled my way through my speech at the team meeting, next time I'll memorize it.
Everybody but E Herbst was there.

We've been throwing every day thus far, today it is raining and windy perfect for long throw practice if we are badass enough, have not decided yet.
Everybody is a little rusty but from what I've seen throwing chops are still there. There are encouraging signs.
God I missed this place.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

A quick one

-I have a harder time making a play off my left foot. I hesitate. That needs to change.
-Throwing form improving. Full body motion working, getting low for backhands working, figuring out release points again.

Getting there.
New Paltz I'm comin baby.
<3

Friday, January 22, 2010

Bromance

Well anyway, got dirty today and practiced in the backyard yet again. Worked on making plays with either hand, exploding after throwing and laying out. Played for a bit, got tired, probably would have given up but Brendan kept me motivated so I rallied and got in another half hour or so. That illustrates something that needs to become as natural as breathing to the gunx this season: we have to have each others backs, motivate and push each other to achieve bigger and better things. That's huge.

Anyway, practiced going to on almost every throw, and about half the time Brendan would throw it, I'd pass it back and immediately explode and run for a short pass and layout attempt. Of the throws that were perfectly placed to layout for (hard to do as ya'll probably know or have seen in a drill) I layed out for maybe a fourth, and caught three. Two of the layouts were what I think is good form. I cut up my elbow and seem to be hitting my right side harder, so there's a lot of work to do besides just training myself to pull the trigger anytime.

Throws were pretty solid, backhands looked sharp. Forehands were hurting and then stopped hurting, hopefully that means I'm breaking the last of the adhesion and soon it won't hurt to throw forehands at all. Working on getting my angles of release back and full body throwing. Focusing on balance. Balance is key and I'm sure we'll all really realize that when Frank Huguenard puts out his motion offense videos...

Anyway
I'm working on my chalk talk for our first team meeting, the start of the season. It is really more of a speech but I am uncomfortable calling it that. I know how I am going to say it, emotional delivery and whatnot but the words are not coming easy. It is hard to balance saying what needs to be said with positivity with motivation with emotional delivery with relevance with ego with humilty with swagger with...
Well anyway I'm working on it.

PS
I started three paragraphs with "anyway". Sick writing chops. Also the tenses are all over the place.
Brendan got me an awesome going away present.
See you in New Paltz, Gunx.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Wrist rehab day 24

Stepping into short backhands is definately going to pay off, the caveat being that I need to get lower than I am inclined to, that just means going against muscle memory. Knees bent. Easy, just takes focus. When I bend my knees and get low the backhands go off pretty smooth without a hitch, when I don't they are just as likely to go way too high like I'm trying to huck or suck.
Throwing felt good today, threw a huge hammer and some big backhands and forehands and the forehands barely even hurt. Good throwing day.

Threw with Eli and Brendan then went to the soccer store after our disc broke when I spiked it onto snow covered concrete. Oops.

Then we threw again afterward and another disc broke. Strange.
Anyway, throwing went really well and I have five new pairs of long socks.
Onward.

Dry Season

The concept of a dry season in relation to frisbee is seemingly ludicris. People outside of frisbee will not understand why a silly game is worth not partying for three months. People who play frisbee will wonder why anyone would take it so seriously. People on DI teams would wonder why anyone on a team that placed 16th at sectionals would bother.
Also, we can't make it team policy because we are a club sport, and that would be no fun. We like fun. So it has to be a personal choice and those participating have to not get self righteous and alienate those who choose not to make that sacrifice.
That said:
This semester I am not drinking until after the college series. Bam. Stated.
Partying last semester got in the way of frisbee. Fair enough it was the fall and blah blah blah my life whatever. It happened, it is done with. This semester I need to get my head straight and my body fixed up and in shape. That's all.

Here are some thought scraps.
Each one could and probably will be its own post one day or another.

-I don't step out when I throw short backhands. I step out when I throw long backhands. That's silly. Stepping with your throw is pretty clutch and that explains in part why I almost never break the mark with a short backhand - most underutilized breakmark throw I have. Okay.
I'll step when I throw em. Something to work on.

-Two personal goals for the spring season:
1. Approach every game with no fear.
That ties into every repetitive post I've made about swagger and confidence. Simple but very important.
2. Make sure every player knows their specific role and assignments. On a team as small as ours every threat must be utilized and maximized if we are going to be sucessful this season.

These past two days have been examples of what cannot happen this semester. I have not thrown or ran, but I have stayed up increasingly late wasting time on the computer. That is a recipe for disaster academically, athletically and socially. Keep that in mind, me!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Cleat confidence

Today (yesterday as Stiggles would say, perhaps I am up too late yet again) was a big day. Went for a run to Brendan's, made it up the hill at a good pace but did not have the fortitude to run the whole way there. Compromised by doing some wind sprints en route. Dicey. Anyway, what it showed me is that I am stronger than I was this time last year but I have less endurance. I'm pretty sure I am in worse shape than I have been in for a while but am also the strongest I have ever been. How does that make sense.

Did some throwing with cleats on. It felt nice to have that cleat confidence, definately helped with throwing. Wrist snap definately felt stronger today, backhands were looking tight and fresh. Forehands are sort of stilted, hesitant, jerky even. The motion feels sort of unatural, not second nature like it was pre surgery. That will pass soon enough. A lot of forehands ended up very slightly outside in. All my angles of release are funky and the full body component needs work. Still today was a huge confidence boost. Getting back to where I used to be.

Zach never gets worse at throwing no matter how much time he takes off. He is a marvel. If he had the motivation or inclination to play competitively, and moreover get in shape to do so, he would be absolutely terrifying.

In short, ran around a lot today and threw and it felt great.
Also, bought three pairs of cleats.
Hooray for the internet.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

The mexican hot plate

was the best breakfast I can recall having anytime recently.
Anyway, throwing was tough today. Had a hard time getting enough snap, a lot of throws were floaty or just not strong enough to work well in windy conditions. It was not windy, but it will be. My wrist was hurting, maybe it is the change in the weather or something . I need to work on getting my wrist strength and snap back.
On the other hand I am feeling physically confident again. This might be the year I make the transition from handler to cutter on the Gunx. Who knows. Ideally I would like to become the kind of player that is a threat with the disc and when cutting, the kind that another team has no easy answer for.
Threw a few hucks, backhand distance is looking good. Worked a little on exploding after the throw like it is a pull.
Did not do much running. Party last night. I would have exploded.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Wrist rehab day 19

Still don't have that distinctive snap back in my throws. Still workin. Still tryina get that gold brick.
Today:
Throwing: threw some wicked nonsense backhand blades over the house, threw an almost perfect huge outside in huck to Eli, over a large tree. It landed on the barn roof but he clearly could have made a play if it was on a field. It was huge. Sometimes you take the time to think out a hard throw and set it up and it really pays off. Other times it pays to be intuitive and trust your instincts, but still.
Anyway, did some light throwing with Eli. Still have to really focus to get my form back, a lot of throws were aimed down instead of up and you know how that goes. That kind of thing needs to be second nature.
Running: Ran around the yard a little. Not much running today. Moved some lumber and other crap, literal lifting as it were. Maybe that counts for something.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Makin plans

In lieu of playing ultimate I am back in that mode where I think about it and make team plans all day.
Best I can do until practice starts. If I can maintain this level of focus all season, and I know I can, then the necessary organizational work will get done.
Just got our indoor practice schedule from the gym. Hooray.
Today:
Throwing: light throwing with Eli in the yard. Goofy form, possibly caused by the incredibly slippery ground as well as rust.
Running: ran up the steps of the firetower again. Not much but brisk.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Today
Running: light jogging, buttkickers, high knees up a big hill.
Throwing: light throwing, 30 yard forehands did not hurt whatup.

Now I am sleepy, I guess this is what people with jobs feel like, all being tired before midnight and stuff.
Jeepers.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

BONUS POST

This is about the future.

Okay first off, I'm done being a fuck-up.
That part of my life is over.
I am writing an ill speech.
Last year I lost my workout journal and stopped writing down my progress. This year that shit is gonna be meticulous. Progress will be charted.
Stated.

Wrist rehab day 16

This is about today.
Today we saw the sunset from the highest best freshest location around. It was great. I ran all the way up the steps.
Running! Yes.

Threw around with people, it was niiice. Verdict: my throws have touch (thank goodness) but my form is rusty and thus many throws are inaccurate.

How to fix the problems:
backhands - focus on balance, straight back, knees bent, low center of gravity. Not too much is wrong with the backhands.

Forehands: a lot of forehands I threw today either went too high or airbounced. Again, lower center of gravity, gotta get full body mechanics back behind throws and work on the throwing motion as one plane. Also forehand motion is tentative because of the wrist, I have a hard time putting the neccesary power in because it feels like it will hurt a lot even though it won't. It barely hurt at all today which is AWESOME and a good sign. The tentativeness leads to throws that get all their power from the wrist snap and don't engage the body.

That's ironic.

Did a few layouts, every year I say I will learn to layout for real, maybe this will be the year. I figured out how to land on my chest, legs in the air, arms up. That's a big step in the right direction.

Anyway, after my throwing partners got cold I hucked it around a little bid in the pasture. All but one throw went much farther than yesterday, probably had a couple in the 70 - 80 range. In other words, solid pulls if it ain't windy.
It was not windy.

I had an idea for a light throwing workout, simple really, just grab a disc, go to the field and pull it then sprint to the opposite endzone and then repeat as many times as you want. Easy. Focusing on exploding after you pull is huge if like me you don't run into your pulls. Hustling down on the pull wins games and is often underrated by 'd3' teams. My best play ever was getting a Callahan of my own pull and I want to repeat that, so I'ma train for it. Plus I can do it by myself, perfect for winter break or cold days when noone wants to throw.

Whew!
That was certainly self obsessed and long winded.
Heck what are blogs for.

Had an idea for keeping track of my new years resolution. Example:

Throwing: threw with Brendan and Eli and did some hucks by myself
Running: ran around while throwing, running up like eight flights of steps

If I add that on to every post I can keep myself honest. Maybe I'll even post every day.
You'd love that right?

Wrist rehab day 15

This is about yesterday.
Well, I tried throwing for the first time since before my last post. Forehands hurt. Backhands do not, irregardless of distance. I expected the opposite, and that implies a few things about the way I throw but I won't bore you with the details. Hah.

Anyway, I put up a bunch of big backhands. Probably averaged about 50 or 60 yards, maybe more but it is hard to tell in my backyard. I'm obviously not at top form after who knows how long of no practice, but I still have distance and decent form which is a blessing, ain't starting back at square one. Maybe square five?
Also, some adhesion must have broken because I kept throwing forehands and by the end of the session it did not hurt as much to do so. I started out with 30 yard flicks and that hurt a lot and at the end I threw a couple that were more like 40 and 5o and they still hurt but less so.

My left hand was completely numb by the end. My right hand slightly numb but much less so. It remembers high school when that shit was every day. That's a sign.
Throwing again today. So pumped.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Wrist rehab day 8

It has been a strange day. Not going into the details, but I spent several hours waiting for a doctor and during that time did a lot of pt. Consequentially my wrist has a lot more mobility than the past few days and that has me feeling optomisitic.

On the other hand, I am going to need another minor surgery in two months, probably over spring break. Not on my wrist. Other than that if you want the details, ask me. Trust me though: you don't.
Now I am on vicodin and playing chess. It is going to be one hell of a night. If I am feeling well tomorrow we will make our way to the land of Guilders and party hardy. Pills will have to do.

Gunx love

Friday, January 1, 2010

Wrist rehab day 5 and new years resolutions!

Happy 2010 ya'll.

Wrist is doing alright today so far, I can bend it normally again although I do not have full range of motion yet. Still, tons better than Monday and I'm thrilled.
Might try throwing again today, might wait a few days. We'll play it by ear.

Anyway, ultimate style New Year's resolutions
1. Nalgene of water before bed, nalgene of water in the morning.
2. Run every day.
3, Throw every day.
4. Do all the necessary bureaucratic legwork for the men's team.
5. Step up on defense, don't turn it on offense.
6. Play with swagger and confidence from the first point of practice to the last point of the college series.
7. Be a positive force on the team and inspire others to likewise step up.

Bonus Resolution: Run an outdoor game at least once a week, that can double as pickup for the layman and an extra skills clinic for Gunx and Estro Ragers.
I don't even need to make a resolution about Huckindor winning the house cup.
What.

Pretty simple really.