[Ultimate] Beginner Friendly?

Thu Apr 8 16:58:27 PDT 2010

Sometimes Eric runs by me and I consider that a gender burn...

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Matthew Stringer
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From: ultimate-bounces at grommit.com [mailto:ultimate-bounces at grommit.com] On Behalf Of Scott Schroeder
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 4:49 PM
To: Storch Matthew-MGI535
Cc: Ann (Sunhachawee) Kanodia; ultimate at grommit.com; Linnea George
Subject: Re: [Ultimate] Beginner Friendly?

I agree, Matt - I throw to people that I know probably won't catch the disc.  And, on defense, if a kid misses a throw, I do sometimes suggest that he try again.  Alternatively, after a turnover by a beginner, the offense can accidentally throw it into the turf, to keep things fun.  Or even just huck it deep, and give the other team a chance to restart.

Covering a beginner is also a good opportunity to look for poaching opportunities.  I still defend the beginner - show some respect - but I look for chances to be involved in throws to other receivers.  However, it does frustrate me when people leave weak players TOTALLY uncovered.  It gives them no sense of how to actually get open.  And, in many of those cases, the defender suddenly throws an extremely tight mark, almost punishing the beginning for getting the disc.

When a player is injured, I too try to protect him.  But there is certainly a grayer area around other skill or physical differences.  Is it unfair if I outrun someone slower than me?  No, certainly not.  Or if I outjump someone shorter?  No.  It reminds me of Pirates of Penzance, where the pirates are kindhearted to the weak (orphans), and, when they attack someone stronger, they invariably get thrashed.

We won't ever ensure that all beginners want to come back.  I play in a very friendly game MWF lunch (Encinal Ultimate, vangregory.com/ultimate<http://vangregory.com/ultimate>).  A guy came by for a couple weeks, and got very frustrated, because people never threw to him.  He was either standing right in the break area, where the marker was blocking the throws, or behind the handler, when the handler was looking downfield.  He muttered something about people only throwing to their favorite receivers, but we really weren't playing favorites at all.  We can't make sure every game is fun for every player, but we can be sensitive to newcomers, and take extra steps to make them feel welcome.  Our games have less yelling than others, more friendly discussion afterwards, are slower paced in many cases... a good safe place for beginners.

-Scott
On Thu, Apr 8, 2010 at 2:14 PM, Storch Matthew-MGI535 <matts at motorola.com<mailto:matts at motorola.com>> wrote:
All very good points.  IMO the same logic applies to players who may be playing slightly injured or shaken up...if you see somebody hobbling a little, maybe that is not the best time to go deep or try for a dicey D.

Also, the point about involving people in the play is even more important than letting up on defense.  My own personal rule for pickup games is that I almost always throw to an open person regardless of who the person is, even when I know that it's going to hurt my team's chances of scoring (I may occasionally violate this if the other team has scored like 5 in a row or something ;-)  If people don't get the disk, they will not improve and as you say may quit.

    Matt

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From: ultimate-bounces at grommit.com<mailto:ultimate-bounces at grommit.com> [mailto:ultimate-bounces at grommit.com<mailto:ultimate-bounces at grommit.com>] On Behalf Of Brad Louie
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 11:21 AM
To: 'Ann (Sunhachawee) Kanodia'; 'Linnea George'; ultimate at grommit.com<mailto:ultimate at grommit.com>

Subject: Re: [Ultimate] Beginner Friendly?

Last week the guys totally shut down one of the girls making an inbound pass from the opposite corner goal line; this resulted in a turn-over. I can see playing hard defense if it is on her goal line and her team will score if she completes the pass; but how do you expect to recruit novice and women players if you won't give them a chance to make or catch a simple pass? The same player left the field early the previous week; I believe because she felt it was too competitive.

I'm competitive and play hard, but this is not a hardcore game and I want novice players to have a good time. You have to involve them in play and know when to give some players some room to succeed, or we will just lose them.

Brad

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From: ultimate-bounces at grommit.com<mailto:ultimate-bounces at grommit.com> [mailto:ultimate-bounces at grommit.com<mailto:ultimate-bounces at grommit.com>] On Behalf Of Ann (Sunhachawee) Kanodia
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 11:05 AM
To: Linnea George; ultimate at grommit.com<mailto:ultimate at grommit.com>
Subject: Re: [Ultimate] Beginner Friendly?

Hi Linnea -
The games are one and the same - we used to play at Greer when it is open, but it is closed for some time. Keep up to date on where the game is by checking out the mailing list on Tu/Th. The game is usually at Cubberley, Greer, or Seale Park. People show around 12:15.. games going around 12:30.

I'd call the game mid-level yet beginner friendly. Guys, don't prove me wrong ;) Hope to catch a few games in the coming weeks.

And for Tootoo - here's a reply from Joby -- (Joby, your mail didn't come across since there's a limit size of 40KB, helps if everyone doesn't keep quoting the entire thread on their reply):
"
I can swing by on my way.
I should be there around 12:15...
-joby
"

Ann

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From: Linnea George <LinneaG at illinoisalumni.org<mailto:LinneaG at illinoisalumni.org>>
To: ultimate at grommit.com<mailto:ultimate at grommit.com>
Cc: ultimate-owner at grommit.com<mailto:ultimate-owner at grommit.com>
Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 10:36:44 AM
Subject: Beginner Friendly?

Hello All.
My name is Linnea and I'm looking for a mid-level pick-up game that is "Beginner Friendly" during lunchtime.

I found the Ultimate Coalition of Palo Alto in a google search and eventually found a game that supposedly meets @ Greer Park on Tues/Thurs. I added my name to the email list and am now receiving these ultimate at grommit.com<mailto:ultimate at grommit.com> emails.

Is the Tue/Th game at Cubberly somehow connected to the T/th game at Greer? or are there two separate games??
RE: http://www.ucopa.org/#mailing

Thanks for your help!
Linnea George-Kupfer
Mnt. View.

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