Monthly Archives: April 2014

spring, elementary, Tournament

Jane Addams K-8 wins Spring Reign 2014 elementary division

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2013 Spirit Champions, Jane Addams K-8 won the 2014 elementary championship at the Spring Reign tournament yesterday.  In a sunlit, moderately-windy game against Evergreen, they connected over and over — mostly with long passes between talented huckers and tall receivers, ultimately winning 13-1.

Here are the standings for the elementary division

2014 SR standingsThe 8 teams placed in this order:

  1. Jane Addams K-8
  2. Evergreen
  3. John Stanford
  4. Thurgood Marshall
  5. Three Cedars
  6. Whittier
  7. UCDS
  8. University Coop

However, the real winners — the Spirit Champions — have yet to be announced…

And here are some highlight photos from the championship game —

Jamshid Khajavi, who coaches JAK8 along with Stephanie Reed.
Jamshid Khajavi, who coaches JAK8 along with Stephanie Reed.

Screen Shot 2014-04-28 at 1.55.21 AM Screen Shot 2014-04-28 at 1.53.47 AM Screen Shot 2014-04-28 at 1.56.30 AM— all taken by Liam Reese of Bryant Elementary, who was spectating since his team’s bid wasn’t accepted this year.

 

Fun and games, Drills, All levels

Brodie Smith’s accuracy challenge

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Accuracy of throws is a tough skill to tackle with beginning players during practice.  I think Brodie is right to suggest that the best way to improve throw accuracy is lots of repetition outside of practice.  Fine-tune fundamental throwing skills during practice, and then head home with links to videos that reinforce forehand and backhand throws, along with motivational, fun drills and games like Brodie’s accuracy challenge —

Does anyone else have favorite ways of improving throw accuracy? Frisbee golf? Aiming hucks at targets in the endzones of local football fields? Leave your ideas in the comments and we’ll add them to the post.

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Foul resolution in the women’s 2013 National Championships

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I’ve been reading a lot recently about the on-going difference of opinions about self-officiation in ultimate at the National level. A central issue in the developing schism is the common complaint from spectators about the delays related to fouls and their resolution. I think miking the involved players, or at least a nearby observer, so that the crowd could listen in on the discussion would boost spectator interest, education, and value. I’d be excited to see this tried, at least with all observers in the games of the Triple Crown Tour organized by USA Ultimate, and with the referees officiating at the games played through Major League Ultimate or the American Ultimate Disc League.2013 champ women pat

A good example of this potential solution is the live-mikes used by some (one?) of the observers in the women’s 2013 National Championship game. I’ve provided the times of a couple fouls in which you can figure out what is going on because of that live audio feed. It’s fascinating stuff, giving insights both into the personalities of the players and the nuances of the rules and game! It would have been even more interesting if one could hear the players right from the start of the foul call, but even getting part of the discussion of the foul and associated rules was captivating.

1:18:40-1:19:30
Lauren Sadler went for it
Fouls called by colliding players nearby
Observer made call

1:19:50-
Silly travel called, then lifted

1:20:35-
Turf in the endzone
Foul called by thrower
Contested by marker
Observer resolves

As a coach or parent, would you be more willing to take your players to an MLU or AUDL game if instead of refs the semi-pro players were miked and self-officiating?!

Spirit of the Game, Fun and games, All levels

Thai soccer inspiration for Northwest youth ultimate

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This video sponsored by a Thai bank may resonate with youth ultimate players in Seattle and other parts of the (rainy) Northwest.   It features the joys and challenges of starting a new team and places a worthy emphasis on doing your best, trying new strategies, and feeling proud even if you don’t always win or get first place.  It’s got something for coaches and Disc NW staff who sometimes struggle to find a place to play in the soggy, crowded parks of wintertime Seattle. And it shows kids playing hard in some serious rain.