In Perfect Shape
How often do we head to a competition in perfect shape? Cardio is up, no injuries whatsover, well rested in terms of sleep and muscles, mentally fit as we can be, and no leftover twinge in that sprained ankle, pulled…
Category Psychology
Articles about the psychology of ultimate
Expectations of Your Role On/Within a Team
Having clear expectations and setting reachable goals will help you enjoy playing ultimate better. Not only will it help define your role on the team but it will help you become a better player, it will help you enjoy practices…
Thoughts on the Pre Game Warmup
Ever since I started playing sports, one thing I’ve loved has been the pre game warmup. When I played hockey, we’d come onto the ice to ACDC, Metallica and Guns ‘n Roses and go through our warmup drills. I remember…
Avoid Trying To Clone Yourself
If I learned one thing about leadership in the past 5 years it is to avoid trying to clone myself. Although I may be great (or think I am) at many aspects of the game, like defense, speed, agility, field…
USA Ultimate College Championships – Too Many Calls Being Made
As the title alludes to, there was too many calls being made during the USA Ultimate College Open Championships between Florida and Carleton (which Florida won fyi). In typical college ultimate fashion, there was a lot of hucks, a lot…
Teaching Your Brain What is Possible
I started playing ultimate when I moved to Halifax in 2000 and began playing competitively on touring teams in 2003 but I have never played on any team outside of Halifax until recently. In fact, I became so comfortable in…
Individual Roles Within a Team
I’m just coming down from 2 back-to-back ultimate tournaments and I feel awesome. I feel strong, healthy, powerful, effective, and influential. I’m 33 years old and feel fortunate that I’m able to throw my body all over the field in…
Celebrations in Ultimate
Bobo plays ultimate in Halifax and I was lucky enough to meet him this summer at the Parlee Beach Ultimate Tournament in Shediac, NB. Bobo is a young up and coming player and is super passionate about the sport. He…
Teaching the Brain Motor Skills
Brain science tells us that the brain uses different processes and different parts for gaining different types of knowledge. The type of conscious, or explicit, knowledge we learn in school is controlled by the prefrontal cortex. The logical prefrontal cortex…
What is Spirit of the Game?
I discuss what I think the elements of Spirit of the Game are. Knowledge of the rules, willingness to discuss a call, respect for the other team/your own team and more. Let me know what you think Spirit of the…
More Surprising Findings from the World of Biomechanical Analysis!
This is part II of the summary I began last week (located here). Today’s discussion has important implications for how we instruct new players in learning to a forehand. In case you’re just joining us, I’m reviewing an article published…
Surprising Findings From the World of Biomechanical Analysis!
I am going to attempt a summary of an article published in Sports Biomechanics called “Biomechanical analysis of the sidearm throwing motion for distance of a flying disc: a comparison of skilled and unskilled players.” I am hoping to offer…
Throwing Practice Evolution
What follows are my thoughts on phases a player might go through as they engage in deliberate throwing practice.
These are offered so that you know what to expect and can avoid becoming stagnant.
Elements of Becoming a Better Thrower
What factors are involved in becoming a good thrower? Obviously you need to have a lot of practice. But is there more than that? I believe that there are 2 elements to becoming a good thrower: determination and the ability…
Running tryouts and making cuts
From my experience coaching and playing sports, I’ve come to a few conclusions: 1. The best players aren’t usually the best coaches (more often than not they aren’t) 2. The best teams are the one who play together as a…