Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Southwest Regionals, Denver, Colorado
So it all comes down to this. I still remember the first point I played with this club team. It was weird running down the field and not seeing the familiar faces that was Irvine NightLife to my left and right. It was weird getting to know how each player played and what my role on the team was.
Five tournaments, later... I think we've come together as a team quite nicely. We're off to Colorado to fight for two spots at the UPA Club Nationals in Sarasota, Florida. We have a tough road ahead of us as we will be playing the top teams from Arizona and Colorado, not to mention very good teams from California as well.
Whatever happens this weekend, playing with LA Metro has been full of memories. I've loved this team since day one and once the season is over, whether it be on Sunday, or at the end of the month, I am very grateful and lucky to have played for a team of this caliber.
So wish us luck, we're off tonight. No more apologies... no more screw ups...
This is what we've been practicing for. This is when it counts, and this is when it matters.
Get psyched Metro!
-hammie
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Chico Wrap-up
Chico, California. A small little town with more bars/pubs than supermarkets, and home of the Sierra Nevada Brewery. LA Metro traveled up to this small town, population of a little over 100,000 for Discos Calientes V.
No pools were posted and when we got to the fields, we discovered that not only were we seeded 1st, that the scheduling dictated a 1:15pm start time on Sunday, meaning we would probably miss our 7:35 flights. So before any warmups, all the people on those flights had to call and change the flights. inconvenient... but necessary. Our first game was against the #3 team in our pool, Humboldt. Our squad of 5 girls and 10 guys (missing 3 girls and 4 guys) played sluggishly the first game, with various turns and throw-aways but we muscled it out for a what i remember was a 13-8 or 13-9 win. Of note... Jello shots afterwards =)
Game 2 = good flow + great defense = 13-0 win over the Red Hots.
The third game proved to be the most difficult of the day against BAG, a group out of Davis that included several open players from YR (yeah right). They played well and we traded points for the majority of the game. Their handler set was difficult to contain as they ran the quick give and go's. It came down to 10's with us on D. We generated the D and while we were working it up, Hard-cap blew and we scored the last point to squeak out the win 11-10. There was some mild arguing over several calls, but in all it was a clean game and showed us what we needed to work on. (Cutting + disc movement).
Game 4 of the first day was a cross-over that put us against the Chico co-ed team. In short, they didn't do too much with the disc and we won the game (forgot the score) and finished the day 4-0. Although we had went undefeated, we had many kinks and bad habits to make up for. We talked about them during the cool down and went into a night of just rest, relaxation, brewery time, and lots of food.
Day 2 started out disasterously. First game was 11:45 and by 12:00 we were already down 4-1. We were playing GNT (gin and tonic) and they simply out matched us physically and on the disc. They ran harder than us, faster than us, and consequently their throws didn't have to be spot on. Our cutters weren't running through the disc and mentally, we didn't show up. The result was a 13-5 loss in the quarters to a team we knew we could have matched up against. The lone highlight of the game (atleast from what I saw) was a huge lay-out D zippy style on the goal line to stop the score. ALthough she landed funny and KO'd the air out of her as well as gave herself whiplash... it was some sexy D. Great job zip!.
I've never seen our team so down or upset over a loss this year. True, we've lost to teams such as Mischief, but there's no crappier feeling than beating yourself. We knew what we did wrong and our captains did a GREAT job in getting us mentally prepared for the next game. We pretty much blitzed the next team and went up 5-0, throwing a 1-3-3 zone with Scott Wonderboy chasing. The ladies in the wall had some great reaction D's and what we did DIFFERENTLY this game was play psycho D and then calm it down on Offense. Although we could have been more chilly with the disc on O, we did well and cruised to a 13-6 (?) win.
It was a great win both physically and mentally. We were successful in tanking it in quarters, but what I'm more proud of was the way our weekend captain (martha) picked us up mentally and assured us that we would be fine. Although we were missing several of our best playmakers and captains, our core group of players meshed together, made adjustments when needed, and bonded more as a team. This was a really fun weekend, atleast for me and it makes me even more psyched for what this club season will bring.
If only it wasn't so gawd freaking HOT in Chico (100+ the first day, 80 the next).
Highlights and random shenanigans
- Zip lay out D
- Barrs refusing to land on his feet and rather on his face
- BREWERY
- Cheap Beer
- Cheap Mexican food
- Enway sleeping in the closet
- $5.00 chicken fried steak
- Ball peen hammer
- Ice-water misters (best idea ever!)
- Pregnant Pause
- Nicole's speed (never gets old)
- Yugo's toe
- Watering Hole
- Red Bull
- and more Barrs in more places
Until the Labor Day Ultimate Championships in San Francisco, CA.
-Hammie #10
No pools were posted and when we got to the fields, we discovered that not only were we seeded 1st, that the scheduling dictated a 1:15pm start time on Sunday, meaning we would probably miss our 7:35 flights. So before any warmups, all the people on those flights had to call and change the flights. inconvenient... but necessary. Our first game was against the #3 team in our pool, Humboldt. Our squad of 5 girls and 10 guys (missing 3 girls and 4 guys) played sluggishly the first game, with various turns and throw-aways but we muscled it out for a what i remember was a 13-8 or 13-9 win. Of note... Jello shots afterwards =)
Game 2 = good flow + great defense = 13-0 win over the Red Hots.
The third game proved to be the most difficult of the day against BAG, a group out of Davis that included several open players from YR (yeah right). They played well and we traded points for the majority of the game. Their handler set was difficult to contain as they ran the quick give and go's. It came down to 10's with us on D. We generated the D and while we were working it up, Hard-cap blew and we scored the last point to squeak out the win 11-10. There was some mild arguing over several calls, but in all it was a clean game and showed us what we needed to work on. (Cutting + disc movement).
Game 4 of the first day was a cross-over that put us against the Chico co-ed team. In short, they didn't do too much with the disc and we won the game (forgot the score) and finished the day 4-0. Although we had went undefeated, we had many kinks and bad habits to make up for. We talked about them during the cool down and went into a night of just rest, relaxation, brewery time, and lots of food.
Day 2 started out disasterously. First game was 11:45 and by 12:00 we were already down 4-1. We were playing GNT (gin and tonic) and they simply out matched us physically and on the disc. They ran harder than us, faster than us, and consequently their throws didn't have to be spot on. Our cutters weren't running through the disc and mentally, we didn't show up. The result was a 13-5 loss in the quarters to a team we knew we could have matched up against. The lone highlight of the game (atleast from what I saw) was a huge lay-out D zippy style on the goal line to stop the score. ALthough she landed funny and KO'd the air out of her as well as gave herself whiplash... it was some sexy D. Great job zip!.
I've never seen our team so down or upset over a loss this year. True, we've lost to teams such as Mischief, but there's no crappier feeling than beating yourself. We knew what we did wrong and our captains did a GREAT job in getting us mentally prepared for the next game. We pretty much blitzed the next team and went up 5-0, throwing a 1-3-3 zone with Scott Wonderboy chasing. The ladies in the wall had some great reaction D's and what we did DIFFERENTLY this game was play psycho D and then calm it down on Offense. Although we could have been more chilly with the disc on O, we did well and cruised to a 13-6 (?) win.
It was a great win both physically and mentally. We were successful in tanking it in quarters, but what I'm more proud of was the way our weekend captain (martha) picked us up mentally and assured us that we would be fine. Although we were missing several of our best playmakers and captains, our core group of players meshed together, made adjustments when needed, and bonded more as a team. This was a really fun weekend, atleast for me and it makes me even more psyched for what this club season will bring.
If only it wasn't so gawd freaking HOT in Chico (100+ the first day, 80 the next).
Highlights and random shenanigans
- Zip lay out D
- Barrs refusing to land on his feet and rather on his face
- BREWERY
- Cheap Beer
- Cheap Mexican food
- Enway sleeping in the closet
- $5.00 chicken fried steak
- Ball peen hammer
- Ice-water misters (best idea ever!)
- Pregnant Pause
- Nicole's speed (never gets old)
- Yugo's toe
- Watering Hole
- Red Bull
- and more Barrs in more places
Until the Labor Day Ultimate Championships in San Francisco, CA.
-Hammie #10
Friday, August 15, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Breaking the Mark
As a handler, your job is to keep the disc in the offense's possession and to allow for upfield throws or dumps that will keep the offense flowing; all the while looking for opportune spots and openings to score.
There is no way any defense can cover the entire field so the mark is set to cut off one half of the field so that the defenders down-field only have to cover 1/2 the area as opposed to worrying about all of it. Theoretically...
As a handler, the offense flows through you and the goal is to yes move the disc, but more so to put the offense in the most advantageous position to score. We all know that the best way to do this is to throw the disc where the defenders aren't, leaving us with breaking the mark.
A couple teammates and I would constantly play "break-mark" but more often then not, we would play a little game we like to call "douche the mark." Straight up force, start at stall 5, the thrower would do anything in his arsenal to get the disc to the receiver all the while being defended by the mark. We'd see upside down throws, throws with no spin, between the legs stuff, and fakes for the ages. Now I don't condone these things in terms of a serious ultimate game, but you get the idea. Essentially, when you break the mark, you do exactly what the defense doesn't want you to
To me, there are several key points that are important in breaking the mark.
1. The Fake
For all of you who've been point blocked, this is for you. The fake is as essential a part to the break mark as the actual throw itself. If you fake the open-side throw, chances are the defender is going to find himself cheating a bit just to (hopefully) get a point block on you, but when this happens, recognize and react. A break-throw doesn't require that much space. You need only an additional amount of inches for this to happen. Fake open side, your defender will bite or even just merely shift their weight towards that side, and then you bring yourself back over to the break side, and you do your thing. Low release, high release, whatever it is... a break is a break.
Standing there just using your arm to throw fakes isn't good enough. It might be enough to look off your receiver, but a good fake requires your entire body. This involves stepping out, or pivoting your hips or your shoulders, making your fake motion as close to your actual throwing motion as possible. We have a guy on our team by the name of KG that has turned people around and even had people turn around and run upfield thinking that he released the disc. His fakes are full body commitments, not simple arm motions. A good mark isn't going to buy cheap fakes. Settle for the best. Use your legs. Pivot Pivot Pivot!
2. The Throw
Against great defenders, chances are that you won't get many opportunities to break. But there are several things you can think about and if you work on them, you'll find yourself better equipped. Low release breaks are effective, pretty as hell, but difficult to throw. What you count on is that your throw will fly past your defender several inches below their hand or foot and rise up to the receiver at a catchable height. High releases are difficult in that they are probably the most easily blocked if not done correctly. Either you quickly release it over their heads or behind their off shoulder, or you throw a hard fake and catch the defender bending at the waist for a short throw and then pop it over them.
Defenders that are riding you on the mark I've found to be the easiest to break. Given the rules w/ disc-space, most defenders will ride your pivot foot, theoretically taking away that break throw. But if they are really close, all you need to do is step through and throw through. It's very difficult for a mark to defend that kind of throw and additionally, there will most likely be contact which will result in a defensive foul and a free throw. (Keep good spirit in mind). You step through and throw through, the defender will almost always be caught off guard, adjust and move into your path, contact, foul, free throw, etc. etc. You guys get the point.
3. Respect
A really important aspect is respect from the defender. Most of the time in ultimate, you're defended by someone you don't know. You don't know how they throw, how fast they are, how good they actually are. You learn more about your opponent as you play and adjust as you go. The flip side is that they don't know anything about you either. From experience, people look at me and think, okay short, asian, gotta be a handler. I'm not that menacing I must say but one of the first things I try to do when I handle against teams is the establishment of my throws. Let them know you have them. Let them know you have that low release break throw, high release break throw. Let them know that their mark is nothing against you. Okay you break their mark 3 straight times on the backhand side. Yea they're gonna be scared whenever you have the disc and they're gonna tighten up their mark even more by taking away more of the break side. On top of that, the mark's defenders are going to be thinking, man this guy can break our marks any day, I'm gonna play tighter on D "just in case" we get broken.
Now how advantageous is that!? The defenders are worried sick about your break throws, so they have to almost cheat closer to the break side to make up for it. The result? Easier open side cuts for the offense. The offense flows better, open side throws are a since, and you score in 4 throws. But also keep in mind that you will still be able to break their force and thus causing the wonderful and sexy sight that is a dump swing for the break side cut. Demanding respect is something as important as actually having the throw. You make the defense believe that you have those break throws, or that 40 yard hammer, they're gonna expect it and although THOSE options might be taken away via tighter breakside mark or a deep watching for the hammer, it opens up a lot more and makes the game SIMPLE and BORING. Boring Ultimate is efficient and methodical. And it almost always results in a score.
Break the Mark! Try it sometime! =)
-hammie
There is no way any defense can cover the entire field so the mark is set to cut off one half of the field so that the defenders down-field only have to cover 1/2 the area as opposed to worrying about all of it. Theoretically...
As a handler, the offense flows through you and the goal is to yes move the disc, but more so to put the offense in the most advantageous position to score. We all know that the best way to do this is to throw the disc where the defenders aren't, leaving us with breaking the mark.
A couple teammates and I would constantly play "break-mark" but more often then not, we would play a little game we like to call "douche the mark." Straight up force, start at stall 5, the thrower would do anything in his arsenal to get the disc to the receiver all the while being defended by the mark. We'd see upside down throws, throws with no spin, between the legs stuff, and fakes for the ages. Now I don't condone these things in terms of a serious ultimate game, but you get the idea. Essentially, when you break the mark, you do exactly what the defense doesn't want you to
To me, there are several key points that are important in breaking the mark.
1. The Fake
For all of you who've been point blocked, this is for you. The fake is as essential a part to the break mark as the actual throw itself. If you fake the open-side throw, chances are the defender is going to find himself cheating a bit just to (hopefully) get a point block on you, but when this happens, recognize and react. A break-throw doesn't require that much space. You need only an additional amount of inches for this to happen. Fake open side, your defender will bite or even just merely shift their weight towards that side, and then you bring yourself back over to the break side, and you do your thing. Low release, high release, whatever it is... a break is a break.
Standing there just using your arm to throw fakes isn't good enough. It might be enough to look off your receiver, but a good fake requires your entire body. This involves stepping out, or pivoting your hips or your shoulders, making your fake motion as close to your actual throwing motion as possible. We have a guy on our team by the name of KG that has turned people around and even had people turn around and run upfield thinking that he released the disc. His fakes are full body commitments, not simple arm motions. A good mark isn't going to buy cheap fakes. Settle for the best. Use your legs. Pivot Pivot Pivot!
2. The Throw
Against great defenders, chances are that you won't get many opportunities to break. But there are several things you can think about and if you work on them, you'll find yourself better equipped. Low release breaks are effective, pretty as hell, but difficult to throw. What you count on is that your throw will fly past your defender several inches below their hand or foot and rise up to the receiver at a catchable height. High releases are difficult in that they are probably the most easily blocked if not done correctly. Either you quickly release it over their heads or behind their off shoulder, or you throw a hard fake and catch the defender bending at the waist for a short throw and then pop it over them.
Defenders that are riding you on the mark I've found to be the easiest to break. Given the rules w/ disc-space, most defenders will ride your pivot foot, theoretically taking away that break throw. But if they are really close, all you need to do is step through and throw through. It's very difficult for a mark to defend that kind of throw and additionally, there will most likely be contact which will result in a defensive foul and a free throw. (Keep good spirit in mind). You step through and throw through, the defender will almost always be caught off guard, adjust and move into your path, contact, foul, free throw, etc. etc. You guys get the point.
3. Respect
A really important aspect is respect from the defender. Most of the time in ultimate, you're defended by someone you don't know. You don't know how they throw, how fast they are, how good they actually are. You learn more about your opponent as you play and adjust as you go. The flip side is that they don't know anything about you either. From experience, people look at me and think, okay short, asian, gotta be a handler. I'm not that menacing I must say but one of the first things I try to do when I handle against teams is the establishment of my throws. Let them know you have them. Let them know you have that low release break throw, high release break throw. Let them know that their mark is nothing against you. Okay you break their mark 3 straight times on the backhand side. Yea they're gonna be scared whenever you have the disc and they're gonna tighten up their mark even more by taking away more of the break side. On top of that, the mark's defenders are going to be thinking, man this guy can break our marks any day, I'm gonna play tighter on D "just in case" we get broken.
Now how advantageous is that!? The defenders are worried sick about your break throws, so they have to almost cheat closer to the break side to make up for it. The result? Easier open side cuts for the offense. The offense flows better, open side throws are a since, and you score in 4 throws. But also keep in mind that you will still be able to break their force and thus causing the wonderful and sexy sight that is a dump swing for the break side cut. Demanding respect is something as important as actually having the throw. You make the defense believe that you have those break throws, or that 40 yard hammer, they're gonna expect it and although THOSE options might be taken away via tighter breakside mark or a deep watching for the hammer, it opens up a lot more and makes the game SIMPLE and BORING. Boring Ultimate is efficient and methodical. And it almost always results in a score.
Break the Mark! Try it sometime! =)
-hammie
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