Top 10

Top 10 Skills We Need To Work On:

1. FUNDAMENTALS
One of the biggest problems with our team was lack of execution on the easy stuff. We were plagued with drops and throw aways on easy looks. Eliminating drops and completing the pass to the open man is essential. Fundamentals also includes having solid backhands and flicks, and being versatile in their use by completing passes in various situations.

2. Man Defense
Everything that goes along with man defense, we need to work on. This was a crucial weakness for us. Staying with a man under, contesting the disc underneath, being able to run deep with him, reading the disc, getting position, going up for the disc at the right time, etc. Everyone needs to get faster, be able to jump higher, and play smarter for our man defense to work.

3. Quick Movement of the Disc
To keep the offense fluid and create open looks it is imperative that the disc does not get stagnant. Quick swings from the handlers, open side flow from the cutters, quick dumps after an in cut, etc. These are musts to run an effective offense.

4. Value the Disc
Turns were a major issue this year. Games will go quicker and smoother against mid-level teams if we do not turn the disc multiple times in a point. Not turning the disc over every point will, in itself, propel this team to a new level. By valuing the disc more after we get the turn, we can have meaningful defensive breaks and an offense that expects to score off the pull. This will win us the close game or speed up the easier ones.

5. Hucks
It is crucial in the type of horizontal/spread offense we run to have a deep threat. We cannot only have certain players with the ability to hit a receiver on an out cut. Everyone must be able to huck the disc. The offense will become more versatile and teams will have to honor the deep, exposing the defense to easier throws under.

6. Break Throws
Simply, you need to be able to break a mark.

7. Laying Out
Every person has played at least one full year of college level ultimate, and most have played at least 2 years. By now, it is a must that you are able to lay out. This is necessary for a big D or running down an overthrown disc. A lay out is not the "I tried real hard by running to the disc and did a sliding fall as I got it." Leave your feet and get parallel to the ground.

8. Marking the Disc
Too many guys get broken easily and play lazy on the mark. Don't look at marking as your time to rest. Be constantly active, move your feet, keep your weight evenly distributed over your feet, do not overcommit to fakes, etc. Be mad that your guy beat you to the disc and shut him down on the mark.

9. Cycling in a Horizontal Stack
Our offense has improved greatly, but cutters need to more effectively utilize working off each other. If you make an in cut that doesn't work, go break side and let another guy come in for the disc. Then you are in position to go deep or come back under for open side flow. Communicate and work together as you find the right open space to cut to.

10. Composure With the Disc/Fakes
When you get the disc don't start getting ancy and rotating like crazy on your pivot foot. Keep calm and assess what the right move is. Do not wildly throw fakes when you get the disc, make your fakes matter. Throw "real throw" fakes and/or move your body to create space. Do not erraticly or lazily throw meaningless fakes.

This is by no means a completely comprehensive list, but it is a good focus for summer. Focus on these skills in summer league, at pick up, etc. Make sure you come to school in the fall and have made great strides in these areas. It will immeasurably help you as an individual but more importantly improve our team.