Got word yesterday that I made the first round of cuts for Forge. Not sure of the exact roster, but my guess says it's somewhere around 28-30 guys still on the team and that the next round of cuts will put the roster to 20-22. Still a lot of work to be done, but it feels good have made such a good team.
Up next is C.U.T. in New York from June 6-7. Should be a great test of where I actually stand on this team. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a good tryout. I felt good out there and felt like I was competing with the best. Hopefully my defensive presence is something that continues to shine on this team. That's definitely one my strengths.
Other than the Forge announcement, not much is happening. I start "coaching" TRUC next week. Already 40 guys signed up and hoping to get another 15 or so over the week. Can't wait for it.
On the injury front, the groin is still an issue, especially during Saturday of the second weekend of tryouts. I think the only way to combat this issue is to make sure I ice it the night before practices/tournaments. That seemed to work last time. Anybody have any other ideas? It sucks.
That's all for now. Heading to Columbus in a couple hours to watch Pitt at College Nationals. Should be a great time.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Not Ultimate, but WOO!
So, this is one of the few times I'll post a non-Ultimate entry.
But, damn, I love Pittsburgh.
Go Pens!
But as for Ultimate, Pittsburgh Impulse 2009 and more Forge updates to come later this week. I've literally been running a hard mile everyday and doing a good abs workouts (8 minute abs), so I'm hoping my core is getting better. We'll know come Forge tryouts.
But for now...Go Pens!
But, damn, I love Pittsburgh.
Go Pens!
But as for Ultimate, Pittsburgh Impulse 2009 and more Forge updates to come later this week. I've literally been running a hard mile everyday and doing a good abs workouts (8 minute abs), so I'm hoping my core is getting better. We'll know come Forge tryouts.
But for now...Go Pens!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Forge take two and working hard
Day two of Forge tryouts took place last Sunday. It was a pretty good day, with an intrasquad scrimmage at noon and then a scrimmage against Pitt at 2.
During the Pitt scrimmage, I was talking with Wes about my ultimate career right now and said something pretty cool to me:
"If you play for Forge, you can be more than just a role-player on Pitt-A next year, you can be a player."
I think that's an important piece of advice, and I'm going to follow that (not just Forge, but working hard) this summer. I'm ready for the A-team. It's been 4 years coming.
Anyways, the night before, I iced off-and-on my groin injury and it apparently worked. I played to two intense scrimmages and walked away sore on Sunday, but no injury.
Right now, we're in the midst of a two-week break before another tryout weekend the 16th and 17th. I believe it will be run very similar to this past tryout.
In the meantime, I'm working on sprint workouts, going to the gym when I can and throwing as much as possible. It's the summer, I can do this.
Not much else to talk about personally on the Forge end.
During the Pitt scrimmage, I was talking with Wes about my ultimate career right now and said something pretty cool to me:
"If you play for Forge, you can be more than just a role-player on Pitt-A next year, you can be a player."
I think that's an important piece of advice, and I'm going to follow that (not just Forge, but working hard) this summer. I'm ready for the A-team. It's been 4 years coming.
Anyways, the night before, I iced off-and-on my groin injury and it apparently worked. I played to two intense scrimmages and walked away sore on Sunday, but no injury.
Right now, we're in the midst of a two-week break before another tryout weekend the 16th and 17th. I believe it will be run very similar to this past tryout.
In the meantime, I'm working on sprint workouts, going to the gym when I can and throwing as much as possible. It's the summer, I can do this.
Not much else to talk about personally on the Forge end.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Impulse 2009
About a month ago I applied to become the coach of the 2009 Impulse team. I didn't get it.
A couple weeks later, I reapplied to become the assistant coach of the 2009 Impulse team. Got it.
I'm pumped.
I've always wanted to coach an Ultimate team and what better way to start than a championship-caliber (they lost on universe last year) youth team from Pittsburgh?
To make this a quick post, basically Nick and I talked an extra 15-20 minutes after my interview the other day about coaching and player development. And, despite having never coached before, Nick and I have a very similar philosophy and we agreed on everything that it takes to coaching a youth club team to a national championship.
National championship and Pittsburgh are all you need to know now.
"Tryouts" will be taking place soon. I'll be updating.
A couple weeks later, I reapplied to become the assistant coach of the 2009 Impulse team. Got it.
I'm pumped.
I've always wanted to coach an Ultimate team and what better way to start than a championship-caliber (they lost on universe last year) youth team from Pittsburgh?
To make this a quick post, basically Nick and I talked an extra 15-20 minutes after my interview the other day about coaching and player development. And, despite having never coached before, Nick and I have a very similar philosophy and we agreed on everything that it takes to coaching a youth club team to a national championship.
National championship and Pittsburgh are all you need to know now.
"Tryouts" will be taking place soon. I'll be updating.
Forge tryouts started
First day of Forge tryouts today. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Yeah, six hours with an hour break around 1. It was a long day, but I definitely knew that going into the day. Hell, I wouldn't be trying out if I didn't think I could make it.
And speaking of making Forge, there's a saying I've heard a couple times that I don't quite understand. It goes something like this:
"I don't think I'll make the team, but I'm just going to tryouts to get better."
It's not the last part of that sentence that frustrates me, it's the first. Regardless if you'll make the team, you should head into any tryout expecting to make the team. You should give it your all and show the captains/coaches that you deserve to be on the team. If you walk into a tryout and aren't 100% sure that you can make the team, then you won't be giving 100% when you're trying out. There's no way around that. If you don't think you can make a team, especially one as competitive as Forge, you will always have that in the back of your mind and won't be trying your hardest. I've seen it in a few players on different levels.
I've even done this before, back when I started out at Pitt as a freshman. And even as I continued to make cut after cut during the fall, I never thought I'd be make the A-team come spring. And sure enough, I wasn't giving 100% and didn't make the last cut.
Anyways, Forge tryouts were intense, but nobody said it would be easy. A lot of good drills that tested different aspects of the game with intrasquad scrimmages to three between every drill or so. I was definitely able to showcase a few of my skills (my speed in the beginning and my throws in the second half).
On the injury front, the groin problem showed back up. Very tough and painful to start accelerate. I was able to get some good step-outs on my throws, but I could definitely feel it.
Tomorrow: Intrasquad scrimmage at 12 p.m. and then scrimmage against Pitt-A at 2 p.m. We'll see how the groin feels and gauge how much I play on that.
And speaking of making Forge, there's a saying I've heard a couple times that I don't quite understand. It goes something like this:
"I don't think I'll make the team, but I'm just going to tryouts to get better."
It's not the last part of that sentence that frustrates me, it's the first. Regardless if you'll make the team, you should head into any tryout expecting to make the team. You should give it your all and show the captains/coaches that you deserve to be on the team. If you walk into a tryout and aren't 100% sure that you can make the team, then you won't be giving 100% when you're trying out. There's no way around that. If you don't think you can make a team, especially one as competitive as Forge, you will always have that in the back of your mind and won't be trying your hardest. I've seen it in a few players on different levels.
I've even done this before, back when I started out at Pitt as a freshman. And even as I continued to make cut after cut during the fall, I never thought I'd be make the A-team come spring. And sure enough, I wasn't giving 100% and didn't make the last cut.
Anyways, Forge tryouts were intense, but nobody said it would be easy. A lot of good drills that tested different aspects of the game with intrasquad scrimmages to three between every drill or so. I was definitely able to showcase a few of my skills (my speed in the beginning and my throws in the second half).
On the injury front, the groin problem showed back up. Very tough and painful to start accelerate. I was able to get some good step-outs on my throws, but I could definitely feel it.
Tomorrow: Intrasquad scrimmage at 12 p.m. and then scrimmage against Pitt-A at 2 p.m. We'll see how the groin feels and gauge how much I play on that.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sectionals Postponed...
There's nothing I hate more than preparing - both mentally and physically - for an event and then having it pushed back.
Whatever. 2 more weeks to get better.
The team is finally coming together and we're hitting our peak at just right time. This is the best B-team at Pitt in at least three years. From veteran experience to reliable rookies, guys are making plays and performing at such a high level right now.
There's no doubt it my mind that Pitt-B has a serious shot at making Regionals. The only setback? West Penn only has three bids. It just makes our games that much more important.
Whatever. 2 more weeks to get better.
The team is finally coming together and we're hitting our peak at just right time. This is the best B-team at Pitt in at least three years. From veteran experience to reliable rookies, guys are making plays and performing at such a high level right now.
There's no doubt it my mind that Pitt-B has a serious shot at making Regionals. The only setback? West Penn only has three bids. It just makes our games that much more important.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Spring has Sprung
It's nice to be playing outside again. It frustrates me to no end to be stuck inside a stuffy place trying to practice Ultimate. Nonetheless, I've done a lot of work physically this year.
I started the year weighing in around 148 with the goal to finish the season close to 160, but with more muscle. I'm at 153 right now. We'll see if I get there.
Doing cardio, track workouts and lifting on a regular basis, I can already see myself improve on the field. I've also worked a lot on my throwing, which is something I felt I could always improve on. I now have a lot more confidence throwing, especially in the wind. I feel confident controlling the disc and working against a zone. It's nice to be feeling good playing offense.
I'm also pretty pumped about my defensive play. I can see that my hard work this offseason has paid off. I'm running a lot faster and beating guys to the disc.
Above all, though, it's just nice to have finally been able to balance my time between school, work and Ultimate. If you don't think it can be done, talk to me. I've figured it out.
I guess life is good now. I can breath easy heading into the Spring season.
Posts about the team and our past tournament to come.
Pittsburgh Strong.
I started the year weighing in around 148 with the goal to finish the season close to 160, but with more muscle. I'm at 153 right now. We'll see if I get there.
Doing cardio, track workouts and lifting on a regular basis, I can already see myself improve on the field. I've also worked a lot on my throwing, which is something I felt I could always improve on. I now have a lot more confidence throwing, especially in the wind. I feel confident controlling the disc and working against a zone. It's nice to be feeling good playing offense.
I'm also pretty pumped about my defensive play. I can see that my hard work this offseason has paid off. I'm running a lot faster and beating guys to the disc.
Above all, though, it's just nice to have finally been able to balance my time between school, work and Ultimate. If you don't think it can be done, talk to me. I've figured it out.
I guess life is good now. I can breath easy heading into the Spring season.
Posts about the team and our past tournament to come.
Pittsburgh Strong.
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