Making the Cut

Recently, I was approached by an elite level open player and he asked if I wanted to do a write up on how to make a competitive ultimate team (which makes sense because it's that time of year again). A lot of it is purely based on your abilities but there are things to think about going in. Some are obvious, some are subtle, but there are important things that cannot be stressed enough. I asked him to give me the body of the piece and I would fill in the gaps. Here is what we came up with.

Don't be "That Guy"

At concerts, it's the guy with the t-shirt of the band he is seeing. At parties, it's the guy with the aviators and the popped collar. And on the ultimate field it's the handler that can sometimes cut.

There is nothing more useless from a tryout than a handler/cutter. Every team has an offense (or at least should) and the last thing they need is to teach more people how to play their offense. A friend/team mate of mine once told me that for the best teams you don't get to play offense until you prove yourself on defense. So, word to the wise, don't offer yourself up as a handler/cutter right away. Sorry if this is the bulk of your talents, but if you really want to make a competitive ultimate team you need to offer yourself as a commodity that every team needs more of, DEFENSE.

This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to be the best defender but if the captains ask where you like to play on the field, say something like "I will get a block/force a turn. I am more than willing to guard the guy on the other team that no one else wants to and if given the chance, I will be instrumental in scoring the goal after said block/turnover." This kind of statement displays a number of positive things, one being intensity. Every team needs intensity on defense because that is what can frustrate an offense and generate turnovers. A player that produces breaks in this game is THE most valuable element on the line and every team wants players like this.

What's also really cool about ultimate is that you can never tell where skill will show up. The reason I use the word "skill" rather than "talent" is because the most important thing in this game is drive. I bet everyone reading this knows of some former track stud or basketball player that would be awesome at ultimate, if they just cared. However, I bet you can also think of a few other guys that might not fit your average ultimate build but they are amazing players because they are motivated to play. There is a kid trying out for Colt this year who is a little thicker than most but the guy wants it more than anyone else on the field and that kind of commitment is a rare commodity and if you really want to make a team you really have act like you want it. Captains love seeing this and just because you aren't a highlight reel doesn't mean you can't play a pivotal role on an ultimate squad.

Stand Out

Believe it or not, captains don't know who you are. They have a million things to pay attention to and "non-descript player X" is not going to stand out, unless they make a point too. Yes, playing amazing is a good way to do this, but that is still tough in a tryout format unless you are Brodie Smith. There are a few ways you can do this, one being your presence on the line. Don't be afraid to request an assignment. Ask to be part of the string, if not THE main guy that goes deep or whatever. On defense, don't be afraid to pick out the toughest assignment. Even if you get pwned, this shows captains that you are willing to be challenged. You aren't a pansy, you are a tough mother that wants his/her shot at glory. In a tough game, every captain wants a player like this to call on the field and you might as well make your presence known early.

Now this could also be taken the wrong way with people being too chatty on the line which you don't want to do. The worst way to tryout is to be annoying and over step your boundaries. The balance is up to you as a tryout. Realize what your future captains are looking for so when that opportunity presents itself, take it, because there will be a line of people ready to take your spot if you don't go for it.

Another way to stand out is to take chances on offense. Yes hammers and hucks can get you into trouble in a game situation but when you are practicing/trying out, you need to show what you can do, which means not being timid. Now this doesn't mean play summer league style with 50/50 throws left and right, but it's ok to throw a huck, it's ok to go for a strike. It shows that you are competent and have a decent mind for the game. If you have a decent hammer or flick huck don't be afraid to let it rip, especially if you are a cutter. There is nothing better for a team than to have cutters that can turn and put it. Your handlers will be a bit jealous because you took their job, but you will show the powers that be that you are an asset that can continue the offense, even toss a score or two. This kind of contribution is awesome because a lot of teams already have their offensive assignments established and if you show versatility then your stock will rise considerably.

Lastly, be aggressive. On offense, cut fast and frequent. Run, run, and run some more. Make your defender's life miserable and even if you don't get the disc, cut, clear and show that you are motivated to do your job downfield. Same thing as a handler. There is nothing better than power position in an offense and if you can get a reset at stall 3 and set up a great downfield strike, go for it. Show that you can manage an offense and produce results when/if cutters get stagnant. Leadership like that is something few teams have a surplus of. Lastly, bid on defense. There is nothing better than a tryout that hits the ground. Even if you don't get the D you are showing the selection team that you are willing to sacrifice your body for the disc and given the right circumstances, thats a D and your captains will be thinking that. However, like everything else, pick your battles. Don't bid for stuff that you have no shot at because you are risking your and your team mates health, but don't have regrets. There is nothing worse than questioning whether or not you should have bid. I can still remember a huck I didn't bid for in SW Regionals against Santa Barbara in 2004 and ever since then, I never second guess myself when a disc is close, I just pull the trigger.

Bring the Intangibles

There are a lot of little things that can really help you out and allow you to be a positive entity on the team that your captains want. A lot of people have amazing athleticism and talent but even these players need to use their mouths and every tryout should as well. This could be something small like positive reinforcement. There is nothing like a cheer from the sideline for a bid you make on the field. Maybe you get the disc, maybe you don't but that positive feeling from the sideline is a great motivating source. If you can provide that, you are already useful. Maybe you aren't in the top 7 on your roster, maybe you don't get the huge sky or D, but if you can get your team fired up or even maintain motivation you are an asset. Every team needs every element to be a good team, one being a positive sideline. If you show that kind of commitment to your potential team mates, you are valuable.

Along these lines, be helpful to your team mates as they play. Don't hesitate to call out those "No IO's", "UP!", "No Break" or just echo the major calls on the field. If you are practicing zone, help out your cup or your deep-deep by letting him/her know what's around them. Don't over do it (along the same lines as talking on the line), but let your future captains know that you are paying attention and you have competence on the field. The tryout process doesn't begin and end with you on the line. It also includes those times when you are waiting for your turn to get on the field.

Sticking with this "fire" theme, maintain intensity. Run out to the line when given your chance. Run drills as you would run cuts. Have a snap in each step, in each cut, in each throw. Look like you want it, because captains want to give roster spots to the guys that want it the most, not necessarily the best players. This is also really important for those moments when you are gassed. We have all been there. The marathon point, the 7 in a set of 10 sprints. Those are the times when the fire is the most important. Cheer yourself and your team mates on. "Just a few more", "win the long one", "don't be the one that quits". These are the kinds of statements your captains want to hear because they know this sucks as will those moments when winning isn't easy. If they have a team with guys that are willing to suck it up when it hurts, to push threw the pain, to remain focused when all you want to do is not focus, they will have a team that can win.

Lastly, stay positive and don't pout. No one likes a Bitter Betty, so don't be that. If you drop a disc, if you get skied, if you screw up, it's ok. Don't let it dome you. Stay positive and just run. If you get D'd, don't stare at the disc on the grass while your man charges for the end zone. Pick yourself up and get your head in the game. Every player has been there, every player knows how it feels, and every player has heard, "get your ass up and play D". The point doesn't end with a drop, it ends with a score and no one wants a player that stops when they screw up.

(Along these lines, something I have wanted to write about as well is that it's ok to screw up, thats how you learn. I know this sounds like I talking to an 8 year old but if you fuck up, its cool. The pain is good. If it didn't sting, you would have no motivation to get better. Do yourself a favor and learn the lesson. If a huck sucked, if you drop a disc, if you get blocked, remember it and do your best to improve.)

Same thing with heated situations. Every team has a stubborn ass and most captains aren't looking for more. If a call is made and you don't like it, simply contest, don't make a scene. No one wants to baby sit egos and THERE IS NOTHING WORSE THAN BEING A BIG LEAUGER. Just because you think you are good does not mean you are impervious to error. Don't be a douche about calls and if someone gets the better of you, the best thing you can do is commend them for it and let it motivate you to not make the same mistake again. Remember these are your future teammates and a team needs to get along. You never know what people will remember and you are better off being pleasant more often than not.

Be Fun

This will be easy for some and the hardest thing for others. We have all had that team mate that may or may not be good, but he/she is just a buzz kill. Regardless of how he/she plays no one enjoys their presence and no captain wants to bring on another player like that. Conversely, there is sometimes that player (and this is often times me) that might not be the best athlete or player but really brings the "spittle". This is what I call the banter, the ruckus, the fun. Despite not being the most talented player, if people like being around you, then odds are they are happy when you are there and having that kind of player is so valuable. You want players that keep people motivated and happy because it is those players that keep a team from burning out. This goes for teams at all levels because constant friction can really add up and cause team problems. However, if you have a team jester or a few guys that are just fun to be around, it is a great way to get through the tough times. I love filling this role and it is something that a lot of captains won't look for, but they'll know it when they see it.

Now don't take this to mean that you have to be a jackass or make an idiot out of yourself. Everyone is different. Some people are Michelangelos and some people are Rafaels. The main thing to keep in mind is that you should stick to your guns. Be and act confident. If you like to wear something stupid or throw a certain way, don't back down in the face of resistance. Socks, from Dartmouth, is on my club team and is a perfect example. The guy plays with socks on his arms, what the hell? Believe me, I gave him shit for it at his first practice but he didn't back down. He did what made him feel comfortable and now I respect him for it.

There is also this new kid on the team that wears a wool shirt before and after every practice (when it's chilly) and the guy has never washed it. In 2 years, he has never washed the damn thing! However, he sticks to his guns. He has his thing and we all shake our head at it, but as a captain I love seeing it because I know he brings the spittle. He has his little character attributes and rather than blend in with his surroundings, he tries to find a place for himself and that is something that every team wants.

Closing Thoughts

To sum up, I think every tryout should try to be the team mate they would want. It's not about being the best player on the field or the guy that gets the D AND the score. It's about being a good team mate. For a lot of the really elite teams you won't get enough points to make an impact right away anyway, so you might as well aim for the little things. Maybe you won't make the starting line but there are a lot of parts to a team and everyone is essential. Defenders don't work with out offensive personnel. Leaders don't work without followers. Play makers need a supporting cast.

Do your best to fill the void. Few captains are looking for a Callahan nominee, but rather a motivated entity that will see the season through. A person who will be at the track workouts, someone who will handle their assignment, someone who is there when they are called upon and just a guy that is fun to hang out with because lets be honest, ultimate is just a game and games are supposed to be fun.

just my and phil's thoughts

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