Notes on The Fall Classic

Hey Goats,

Just wanted to say thanks for having me out to PA to play some college ultimate. I had a lot of fun and it was great seeing how much I have progressed as a player, as I matched up against old rivals. I figured I would just point out some areas that the team could improve on. These points basically come from watching the final and a little from when we played you guys. Please, no one take any of this to heart. It is meant as constructive criticism.

1. Resets on offensive. A reset is one of the most fundamental parts of a team's offense. It seemed to me, that as soon as a bit of pressure got put on the dumps, massive panic ensued and usually resulted in a turnover or loss of about 10-15 yards. The primary reset continued to make too many cuts and found themselves in a position that only made matters worse. Also dump cuts were started entirely too late. The handler should look up field for one/two throws at most... None of this waiting to stall six bull shit. The continuation isn't there, look back and activate the primary... the primary makes his cut back for the dump and then clears up the line and then cuts back across for the break pass or swing from the secondary dump. While that is going on the secondary dump should be mirroring the primary's cuts.
2. Resets on defense. GET A BODY ON SOMEONE... for the love of god. Too many times I saw the dump defender about 10 yards off their guy. Not even poaching the lane, just standing away from them. You are giving your opponent uncontested throws and allowing them to easily move up the field. Get right up against them. Get your shoulder in front of them preventing the up the line cut. Ask Stab, he will tell you it sucks when every dump is made difficult. Seriously, this separates average teams from good teams. I suggest running resets in groups of six. 3-5 throws from each person from each sideline and the middle. They are boring to run, but so important.
3. Marks. Need to be more active. Need to be up on your toes bouncing around. Anticipate the next handler movement. Read the handlers eyes. Keep your weight centered. Don't reach, move. Read the marking blog for tips and actually go out a practice it.
4. Downfield defending. I am not sure if it was b/c you were tired (which with forty kids on the team, should not be the case), but defenders were following cutters. I saw no defense at all. You looked like you were just waiting for the other players to make the mistake instead of taking the disc away. They were able to easily work up the openside or breakside. It is the same thing as reset D, get a body on them, force them to cut in or out, and stay on their hip.
5. Cutting. During that final game the cuts really were lacking. People were jogging in and out of spots instead of sprinting. In ultimate there really is no moment where you should be jogging as a cutter. You have subs. Everything (especially the clears) are hard. Lazy clears cause clogging and kill an offense. If you don't get it thrown to you, don't complain about it... just get the hell out. Throwers... use pump fakes to move your cutters around (a pump fake=change direction). Throwers also need to stop looking of wide open players and then jamming into a small space so that one of the studs on the team can get the disc. Trust all 7 guys on the field, otherwise get off.
6. And last of all was some heart. You got down in that final and I saw 7 people walking back the the line with their heads down. Even worse, I saw 20 some players on the ONE sideline and just talking amongst themselves. With that many people you need split sidelines. Your talking to the marks (no around, IO, No dump...). Your talking to the cutters (all under, looking huck, no thrower...). I understand that it sucks that your not on that field, but you do everything you can for your team from where you are. As for the people on the field... Just remember that you are out on that field in front of 20 some other people that would kill for that spot. So when you are playing, your not just playing for yourself, but also those 20 guys. Earn your spot on that line and keep your head up, energize your team, and sprint everywhere on that field.

I hope this is helpful, and good luck next weekend