Types of Pickup Players

In any level of pickup, there will be the "token" ______ guy. The guy who you always find at pickup regardless of level or geography. Here are just a few that I noticed.


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1. The Elder Statesman
Here is the guy that has a 4 digit UPA number. Here is the guy who started throwing hucks and hammers even before you knew about the game. You will frequently hear them talking about the 8th edition rules and gasp when they realize that the UPA is on the 11th edition. They may be older than most of us, but they still can ball. Typically they will bring their shaggy dog with them to the pickup game in addition to 2 or 3 of their young childeren whom at age 5 (sorry to say), tend to have better flicks than we do. Most are handlers who don't move very quickly on their surgically repaired knees (see Braces McGee), but will bomb hucks and 50 yard hammers with stunning accuracy. Poachy defense, and with great spirit, these old dogs are to be respected as they offer so much for the younger generation to learn.

2. Agro Craig
Mr. "Takes it too seriously." Or the guy who simply is too competitive for the level of pickup. We all have seen it... or maybe even assumed tihs role. These guys tend to be the more sour personalities of the bunch and are frequently seen chewing out their team for bad cuts/lack of cuts and/or muttering under his/her breath about how the cutter didn't make that deep S-cut or how the handler simply couldn't throw that inside/out flick break in the wind. Their skills tend not to keep up with their level of expectations from their teammates (although there are few exceptions), but in most cases, the average pickup player will just leave him be in his cloud of Agro-ness. They expect a lot out of other players who are really there just for some nice exercise and sun... and treat pickup much like universe point in the game to go to nationals. Sometimes warrented... usually ignored. Most players will respond to his motivational speeches promoting timed-cuts, hard defenses and marks with a simple reply of.. "Dude it's just Pickup..." Also will D the sh*t out of women.


3. The Newbie
These guys loove to BBQ. Backhand of course. Gear of choice includes and is not limited to a grey t-shirt, board shorts, tennis shoes, and/or a very confused facial expression. These are the guys who are usually brought out by friends, or who are new to the game. They are there to learn, and you have to give them credit for their determination and willingness to try. They stand out on the open side, not sure as to what to do, and when given the disc, they twirl the disc up above their head and throw the famous BBQ Backhand. Give them a couple more pickups... and they'll have the game down easy.


4. The Prespirer
The guy you hate to mark... because he's just dripping in sweat. They don't ever believe in synthetic materials and love to sport the dark cotton shirt that is simply struggling to keep up. It's not a big deal until you have to mark them and they pivot into you, drowning you in the process. They're good players... but for some reason just like to sweat.

5. Braces McGee
(See Elder Statesman). These are the guys that take quite a bit of time to get in the right flexibility/stretchy/warm uppy mode to play. In addition to cleats, players of this category will sport two humungous knee braces usually made of neoprene + velcro, ankle braces that lace up, and or an elbow brace for their curious case of "thrower's elbow." As a result, it takes a good 15-20 minutes for these players to gear up and stretch before playing. Their ankle braces are usually squeeky so it is not difficult to know when your guy is starting to run/cut. Sometimes (God forbid), they will reinjure their braced joint, but only slightly to the point where they retire to their fold out chair and talk about the MLB or NFL.

6. Sir Hucks o' Lot
Like the name implies, these are the good o'l huckers... and many of them simply are NOT huckers. They are solid players, but the huck is lacking. These are the guys that will simply break the hearts of their team... but forcing them to *gasp* play defense at pickup. Their hucks will be either super floaty/hospital, and or line drives that are easily d'd by people simply just standing there in the stack. Occassionally they will huck a nice one to an open receiver but that will simply boost their confidence into throwing something they really don't have. Common quotes include:

"Oh [name]!.... I thought you were going!!"
"Just go DEEP!"
"I totally have that!"
"Sorry guys... I hit my leg before the throw."

7. Mr. Excuses
Always has a reason as to why things happen or don't happen.

Why did the huck float out of bounds? "My cleat slipped."
What's with the drops? "It's too cold out..."
Why did I throw it straight into the ground? "I didn't warm up."

These guys always find a way to pass the torch of blame to someone/somebody else. I have even heard one guy say "I didn't shave," or even the "Allergies" alibi. I'm still waiting to hear someone say something along the lines of. "Yea, sorry about dropping that perfect throw... it's just the economy... you know how it is... my mind really isn't into it right now."

8. The Coach
Here are the aspiring coaches in the Ultimate world. The ones who want to throw ZONE in pickup... the ones who will demonstrate to newer players or even savvy veterans how to set a force. Everyone is below them, and their knowledge of the game is superior and they seem to want to share it with everyone when it simply doesn't matter or fit for the game at hand. I can see why they do it, why they look to coach their team, but for pickup... it seems a bit ridiculous when they ask a guy who has been playing ultimate their whole life if they know what a cup is... or when they teach an entirely new line of people the complexity of Split-stack, or a box zone. There are unwritten rules in pickup... and being the coach is not something that is looked well upon... especially if one is simply way too serious about it.

9. Add yours here! [comment below]




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till next time,

Hammie #10

LA Metro Tryout Schedule (Tentative)

For those interested in trying out for LA Metro, here is a very preliminary schedule:

05/01/2010: Pickup, TBA*
05/09/2010: Pickup, TBA*
05/16/2010: Pickup, TBA*
-Pickup sessions will give attendees a better understanding about our team in addition to giving the Captains an adequate idea of who is trying out.

*-tentatively scheduled. NOT Official. Location will be announced soon.


05/29-05/30: Santa Barbara Classic, Goleta, CA
- Roster will include returners from the 2009 campaign as well as those interested in trying out for the team. In the past, Captains have been selective in whom they invite but this is by no means a first cut. SB Classic Roster should be around 20-25, so captains are limited in the # they can bring.

06/05-06/06: Cal States, Santa Cruz, CA
- This will be more so the "official tryout," or at least the official tournament tryout. We will be fielding a team between 20-25 people with a mix of returning players + interested players. This tournament will give the selection committee an idea as to the dynamic of this year's squad in addition to seeing how the new talent stacks up against solid co-ed teams from all over California.
(Past Results: 2008: Runner-up, 2009: 3rd place finish). Cuts will be made after this tournament.


Following Cal States, there may be a full official tryout w/ drills/ scrimmages/ etc. This is not official but there have been talks regarding having this "official" tryout, something that we have not had in the past. Should be finalized soon.


If you have any questions regarding tryouts or are interested in trying out, please contact the captains at metro.ultimate.la@gmail.com


Good Luck!
-Hammie
LA Metro #10

Commentary: LA Ultimate

LA Ultimate in the 2009 UPA Series:

• Coed + Open Sectionals Champs (LA Metro, Strike-Slip)
• Top 3 finish at Southwest Regionals (LA Metro, Strike-Slip)
• Two bids to Nationals (LA Metro, BCBC)

I guess the term "one-and-done" seems to be pretty applicable when it comes to ultimate here in the Los Angeles area. The decision to dissolve Strike-Slip, the defending Socal Sectionals champs, seems to be a slap in the face in the idea of building a successful long-term open team in LA. I totally understand where the leadership is coming from in terms of the difficulty of putting the team together and running it, but I am moreso disappointed in the idea that players seem to have very little sense of loyalty when it comes to sticking with one team and allowing that team several years to "ripen" and grow into a long-term program.

Instead of simply picking up all the best players they can in one year and flying by the seat of their pants, I feel like teams need to build a solid foundation. This is not a stab at people who are moving on with their lives, attending grad school, or going back home, as it seems like LA is a very fast paced town and people come and go much like the rain here. I've just found that such instability with the population does make it difficult for programs to have a good footing and/or flourish with a core group of players.

Even if you look at pro-sports, most teams who go out and chase down all the expensive and attractive free agents for their team usually find that success does not come for a certain price. Teams such as the 2002 Angels and/or the successful A's teams in the early 00's showed that success can be found through home-grown talent and that development with a common group of people is effective and successful. Of course, us ultimate players do not sign multi-year contracts, and our only source of "commitment" would be that of a verbal one.

This year is one of controlled chaos. Strike-Slip is sadly no more... and many of her leadership has jumped to a new co-ed team... now one of the "big three" in the area along with Metro and BCBC. This calls for a very interesting season in the LA area, that will be dominated not by the news of LA's finest Open team, but of which Coed team will assert themselves as the top contender for Nationals against Barrio of Arizona and whatever team comes out of Denver.

That said, it is safe to say that although I had been entertaining the idea of playing open, it seems like the open teams here in LA can't seem to find a strong enough rooting to stay around for more than a one year at most, so it's difficult to invest time when you see people around you jumping ship at a steady pace. It's kind of sad to see teams come and go like this, with no consistency, and with no long-term purpose. Qualifying for Nationals is the goal of most people in this area, but it can't be done by simply stacking talent on one team for one year. Even if the team is successful, it seems like we're so easily distracted by other shiny new teams that we quickly forget about staying true to one team and developing it into a perennial powerhouse.

Ultimate in LA needs more players who are more loyal to their teams, to realize that teams need time to mature into contenders. I still have faith in the ultimate scene here... that soon some teams will pop up that demand loyalty with a philosophy of building the team instead of forming a "one and done" team. Maybe it's just the town we live in, or maybe it's just the very limited ability for people to meet in a single place without transfering 4 different highways. But change needs to happen before we see another program like the Condors or Monster pop up again. I hate to say it, but LA might need to take at what our friends down in San Diego are doing and take note.

Best of luck to all on the season. Let's hope a new open team pops up this year.

note: This is strictly how I feel about the matter. My apologies in advance for any people I may be offending or "calling out." It is not my intention to do so, but rather to simply address the issue at hand.

-Hammie

LAMetro #10