In relation to the catching issue is confidence and swagger. Need to be more confident in game, so I don't drop a disc (and so that when I do, it does not adversely effect later play).
Confidence or else.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Humpday
I had some uncharacteristic drops in the scrimmages last saturday. From the ones I remember, all were pancake grabs, and I think the reason is that I used a lot more force than necessary with my top hand, causing the disc to wobble away. Given that they were all really routine, easy catches, I panicked and did not recover the disc when it started to slip.
For that reason, I've been practicing using even force and using a gentle upper hand to make sure that that shit becomes muscle memory. I feel really good about my one handed grabs with both hands, better with right though because I usually carry things in my left hand. Need a backpack.
It is definitely that point in the semester where the usual combination of panic and complacency sends me into a tailspin for a month or so before I recover what can be saved in a flurry of finals week bullshit. Can't do that. Got a workout plan, got a lot of art to do, have to do both every day.
Gunx love, all.
For that reason, I've been practicing using even force and using a gentle upper hand to make sure that that shit becomes muscle memory. I feel really good about my one handed grabs with both hands, better with right though because I usually carry things in my left hand. Need a backpack.
It is definitely that point in the semester where the usual combination of panic and complacency sends me into a tailspin for a month or so before I recover what can be saved in a flurry of finals week bullshit. Can't do that. Got a workout plan, got a lot of art to do, have to do both every day.
Gunx love, all.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
The Perfect Week
Thoughts from today
We need better sideline presence, and a big part of that is teaching everyone what their role is on the sideline.
It comes down to focus, at all times. On a related note, I sometimes lose focus on my defensive roll on the field when trying to help someone else vocally. Got beat deep by Pat because I was too focused on telling another Gunx defender to sprint deep with his man and layout for the block.
Point is, I need to work on focusing on my role at all times and not try to do the sideline's job. And we need our players that tend to lose focus on the sidelines to work on their focus so that we always have that support system. Part of the problem is people post up by their things and will talk to the D while the action is near them, but become less effective when the play is down the field. Getting people to spread out will help.
Still working on adjusting my throwing form. I can generate a lot of power, but I have to adjust my muscle memory so that I always do it.
Today was pretty cool. I had a ton of fun, wouldn't know it if you saw me afterwards though I was in a bit of a funk about losing. Wah.
Practice tomorrow let's go.
We need better sideline presence, and a big part of that is teaching everyone what their role is on the sideline.
It comes down to focus, at all times. On a related note, I sometimes lose focus on my defensive roll on the field when trying to help someone else vocally. Got beat deep by Pat because I was too focused on telling another Gunx defender to sprint deep with his man and layout for the block.
Point is, I need to work on focusing on my role at all times and not try to do the sideline's job. And we need our players that tend to lose focus on the sidelines to work on their focus so that we always have that support system. Part of the problem is people post up by their things and will talk to the D while the action is near them, but become less effective when the play is down the field. Getting people to spread out will help.
Still working on adjusting my throwing form. I can generate a lot of power, but I have to adjust my muscle memory so that I always do it.
Today was pretty cool. I had a ton of fun, wouldn't know it if you saw me afterwards though I was in a bit of a funk about losing. Wah.
Practice tomorrow let's go.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Friday, friday, gotta post blogs on Friday
Dang its been a week. I thought I fixed my nocturnal sleep schedule fast, but it crept up on me all bad.
Anyway though, here's some things I've been mulling over this week.
At our last men's practice, I made some bad offensive turnovers due to poor field vision and old thinking. The same occurred at nocturnal - made some crazy throws trying to do everything on the field. The difference is, nocturnal was a hat tournament. My crazy stupid throws got us and lost us points in relatively equal measure, but in the grand scheme of things we were a hat tournament team with no chemistry, playing for ourselves.
It is important to note that the winning team, while having solid 'star power', won because their chemistry and unselfish play allowed them to take advantage of enemies weaknesses without presenting weakness of their own.
Ultimate is a team sport. If I am going to help the team suceed this year, I have to put aside the high risk gunslinger's mantle of yesteryear and embrace a philosophy of humble play and good decisions.
The discipline to dump it when the stall count gets in the 4 - 5 range. The field vision to look off a streaking deep cutter when I don't have an easy throw, or see the poach behind my mark that will destrudo the sick io break flick.
Brian talked to me about my role on the team changing, not having to make crazy throws to make the offense work. I've been preaching playing within oneself for years, now I actually have to learn to do it.
Oh and Dave, you were right about the air bounces. Working on it.
Gunx love all.
Anyway though, here's some things I've been mulling over this week.
At our last men's practice, I made some bad offensive turnovers due to poor field vision and old thinking. The same occurred at nocturnal - made some crazy throws trying to do everything on the field. The difference is, nocturnal was a hat tournament. My crazy stupid throws got us and lost us points in relatively equal measure, but in the grand scheme of things we were a hat tournament team with no chemistry, playing for ourselves.
It is important to note that the winning team, while having solid 'star power', won because their chemistry and unselfish play allowed them to take advantage of enemies weaknesses without presenting weakness of their own.
Ultimate is a team sport. If I am going to help the team suceed this year, I have to put aside the high risk gunslinger's mantle of yesteryear and embrace a philosophy of humble play and good decisions.
The discipline to dump it when the stall count gets in the 4 - 5 range. The field vision to look off a streaking deep cutter when I don't have an easy throw, or see the poach behind my mark that will destrudo the sick io break flick.
Brian talked to me about my role on the team changing, not having to make crazy throws to make the offense work. I've been preaching playing within oneself for years, now I actually have to learn to do it.
Oh and Dave, you were right about the air bounces. Working on it.
Gunx love all.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
After this weekend I will put my sleep schedule together again
When I first started following competitive ultimate it was in the wake of the Hodag repeat and there was an unprecedented amount of ultimate video media available. The Hodag blog and game highlights helped me get into following the sport.
2011 saw a tremendous increase in the quality and professionalism of ultimate coverage across the board, so its been a while since I've gone back to the grainy highlight reels from previous seasons. But I'm on some old flow tonight, mainly because I don't feel like sleeping for whatever reason (#nocturnaltraining!).
Just can't root for CUT, ever. Even in 2010 when you were supposed to root for them to beat Florida. I mean, who roots for Goliath? But whether its the Hodag bias or some sort of deep seated anti intellectual - privilege jealousy thing, I just can't get down with Carleton even though they are probably the most impressive team in college ultimate. They have 1/10th - 1/20th the enrollment of the other perennial powerhouses, I mean goddam.
Its the same thing with Revolver - I have tremendous respect for what they've done and their team culture but I can't root for them. And all things considered, its probably because of those old Hodag videos.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Two quick things
Need to just layout for everything so I can finally get defensive layouts on the regular. No reason not too, they are often within reach and as Stiggles pointed out I just watch them go by. Fuck that.
I can't remember the second thing. Dangit.
I can't remember the second thing. Dangit.
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Mask
Heck of Jim Carrey Movies are on tv tonight.
Field vision was a little difficult, compounded by everyone's desire to cut everywhere. Rushed a lot of throws, and throwing upwind hucks was difficult. Also threw some stupid bullshit, basically in indoor mode. Playing outside this month will put us in the best position we've ever been in. Stated.
#pushups
Thursday, February 2, 2012
I'm learning to push pass
Why not? Its the only throw you can really practice effectively while walking someplace by yourself.
Cons and Pros of today's workout
Cons: did not posses the necessary fortitude to finish snertz by myself. Let the cold sap my motivation. #weakbitchshit
Pros: ran into Will afterwards and got a good half hour of throwing in, tightened up the wind game a bit and worked on his form. Dude is going to be the truth.
Don't fall into the indoor trap of doing it all with your wrist! My first 30 throws were ridiculous because I was either airbouncing backhands or throwing them with wrist only. Forehands were alright, but backhands improved a lot more.
Basically, need to get a group together that can throw and workout outside. I can do that five days a week if I really want it.
Aiiiiiight
radio edit: when I am attacking the disc, if I think about how high it is I give up on it much easier. I can jump a lot higher than I think I can. #mentalgamewtf, #COURAGIO #hastags #manupnextime
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Post deleted blues
Done been struggling with a weighty blog post for some time and I finally wrote it. Then it got deleted because I was signed into the wrong gmail account and an error done did follow that.
Dang yo.
Anyway though, the point is that I had a moment of personal catharsis last Sunday, triggered by running penance sprints with Tom (Tom and I together should win on offense) until my gorge rose. The gallon of water exploded out of my mouth and nose into the bathroom garbage can was an excellent physical counterpoint to a significant chance in how I view what is important in life and what kind of man I want to be.
Having written it already, I feel the weight of inability to express lift off my chest, and even better, don't need to bore all ya'll with the rest of it. However Ya'll know I love talking. Talk to me. Life is amazing.
At practice I also learned some important stuff, quite a bit about dictating physically on d (I'ma be rocked up by sectionals so using that body is a must) and also that whenever I throw I stand and watch it fly instead of immediately making my next move. That is whack!
The counter point to the latter point is that when marking, as soon as your mark throws, put your body in his way before he starts moving. Dictate where he can go. I knew that one already but I never do it enough.
Anyway, Gunx love all.
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