The CULT - Week 4 Preview

Woah, where has the week gone? Its Tuesday again and all CULT members are gearing up for thier Tuesday fix. Hopefully, you haven't had too many withdrawals looking for your Week 4 Preview. This one is going to be short, because there just aint time.

Game 1 Meow vs Boomstick
It has to be said that here, on the back 9 of the round robin, pecking order has well an truly been established. After surprising Meow in their first game, Boomstick are looking to consolidate on the experience they have gained over the first half of the season. Conversely, Meow are going to be itchy for a big game after so many of their players were out last week.

What can you expect from this game? Meow is going to put on a demonstration of moving the disc around the field, frustrating the Boomstick defense. Boomstick will be sticking to what they know and putting stacks on wherever opportunity presents.

Its a Meow win - 12-5

Game 2 Huck vs Empire
So the question is, how will Empire deal with the influx of new Hucksters? I don't think any side is going to be caught quite as unawares as Boomstick were last week, but its still going to be a shock - especially in the early stages of the game. Ultimately, I think that experience will trump athleticism ... Huck will be hard pressed to keep the momentum going for the whole game and the experience handling combination of Liam and Nick will enjoy moving them around the park.

This one will be fun to watch, but the final score will be in Empire's favour to the tune of 15-4

The CULT - Week 3 Review

WOW! for those of you who were there, you know what I mean; for those of you who weren't, you missed one of the biggest and best nights in CULT history (That's right, all three weeks of it!).

Empire versus Meow

This is one game that was going to be BIG; either Empire would dominate against an under-strength Meow, OR the Apocalypse crew would find new ways to move the disc and bring it to the endzone.

Ultimately, what we saw was a clear case of too many offensive options overwhelming a solid game plan. Thanks to Jay for allowing me to reprint their gameplan here. The strategy revolved around neutralising scoring threat Liam by keeping him out of the game and forcing The Empire to rely on their other handlers - encouraging the long huck to the endzone where it would become a straight up contest in the endzone between Cephas and the intended receiver.

Unfortunately for Meow, taking Liam out still left a swag of handlers to do the necessary for the Empire. Nick Murray worked the disc up solidly and the stormtroopers gave him virtually unlimited options with their cuts ... meaning that Jay had to abandon plan A and scramble. Ultimately, The Empire just had too many options and finished the game 11-2, leaving them clearly in first place for the league.

credit where credit is due though, Meow worked through the pain of having so many players out and were still bringing it to the Empire right to the final hooter. I for one can't wait to see the rematch of this one, hopefully with both teams bringing a full strength roster to the party.

Boomstick -vs- Huck

Now, I'm not saying there wont be other great games this season, but Boomstick versus Huck was EPIC! This one was, without questions, one of the greatest games I have ever played in and I know that both sides are looking forward to a re-match in 3 weeks time.

Completely out of left field, huck dredged up 3 new players and brought back their two new recruits from week 1, meaning that the Deadites (The neanderthals in the Evil dead movies were called deadites ... Boomstick take thier name from this series) were facing up to an entirely unknown quantity. So it was that they were taken entirely unawares by Huck in the opening minutes, with the score rapidly mounting to 3-0 in favour of the green machine. After recovering from thier shell shock, the Red Devils stepped up thier defence and scored 3 unanswered points of thier own, tying it up.

It seemed like the game see-sawed constantly, with neither team being able to cement a clear lead and it was with 3minutes to go that halftime was called, Boomstick leading 8-7. League policy requires a "must win by 2" result and a 15minute overtime began with Huck bringing the scores level. Spirits (although perhaps not 'spirit') were high one both sides and chances to wrap the game up were squandered by both teams as players 'panic hucked' for the endzone, only to find no-one was home to receive.

When the overtime hooter sounded, it was locked up at 10-10, and the Universe Point rule came into effect with Huck in possession. All Boomstick had to do was force the turnover and they were still in with a chance. All Huck had to do was hold the disc and wait for their opportunity.

Defence was tight and it was on a high stall count that the handler released a Hail Mary into the end zone, flying ugly and curving to the left. The Boomstick defender read it right, but so did the receiver and the man in blue ran out of legs ... it was a Huck victory and no-one could say they hadn't earned it.

I've said it before: Its the close ones you kick yourself over, but its the really close ones you look back on and smile about.

Thanks for an awesome game Huck ... you really were incredible.

CULT - Week 3 preview

Weeeeeeel, I'm back. Having said that, there have been a few raised eyebrows regarding my strategic analysis of various teams in my previews ... so I've invited a friend of mine to do the analysis for me. The interview format makes a slight change for our regular readers, but you know what they say: A change is as good as a South Korean Chinese massage at the Night Markets.

Mr Ed: Welcome to our weekly preview everyone. I'd like to introduce our guest Captain Obvious. Captian Obvious is a keen observer of life, but only ever responds with obvious observations. No in-depth analysis for him, no sir! Oh, and he sometimes speaks Spanish. Good morning Captain!

CO: Buenos Dias singior.

ME: So, tell us how you think the first game will go down

CO: Are you stupid, Meeester Ed? It is obvious!

ME: Please, go on.

CO: Empire Strikes Backhand will win.

ME: OK ... but Meow have been so dominant in the last few weeks, please explain?

CO: Aye Carumba! With so many players out, what else can be the result?

ME: Well hang on, who's out from Meow?

CO: Obviously, Alecha, Tyler and Dylan all have the Bentley Park Sports award night and Cooper has ... how do you say? The Interview for the job. Oh, and Ryan has had his shoulder torn off by wild lions.

ME: Wild LIONS? Are you sure?

CO: Kehpasa! You want me to know everything? Maybe lions, maybe a motorbike injury ... who knows?

ME: Wow, that is a problem. So, what do you think Meow is going to do without such key players?

CO: Bailey and Jay will, of course, be a force to be reckoned with and they still have some quality cutters. It goes without saying they will work it up the middle ... as you say ... "Dump - Swing - Dump - Swing".

ME: And if all else fails, Bailey has the Elder Wand ... he could magic the win.

CO: Non! That joke was stupid last week and it is even more stupid this week. It is cest ridiculous!

ME: You know what's ridiculous cap? The fact that you're suddenly speaking French!

[silence]

CO: Not my fault. I'm your fictional character.

ME: Ixnay on the fictional-characteray!

CO: Sorry. I forgot. I am a real person. I have always been a real person. I will always be a real person! These are not the droids you are looking for!

ME: These are not the ... HEY! Anyway, tell me about Empire. What's their plan?

CO: Plan? They don't have one. Liam Hucking to Jacob isn't a plan.

ME: Anything else?

CO: Well, there's always the new guy ... he's coming along nicely.

ME: He is, I agree. But what happens if Liam or Jacob get injured?

CO: Not a problem. Nick Murray has a right wrist of steel ... that bad boy has been 'conditioned' for many, many years. He's been saying for years "It's all about technique".

ME: I see ...

CO: Anything else you want to know?

ME: Well, I suppose a score prediction?

CO: 10-7 ... to Empire. Anyone who thinks either of these sides is playing Mizair is an idiot.

The CULT - Week 2 Review

Holey Moley Tuesday was a wet one! With driving rain and squally winds buffeting both players and the disc, it was a mammoth task for all concerned to keep their eye on the game (much worse for contact lens wearers!) and their minds off the warm showers and hot chocolate that home provided them. It just goes to show how hardcore Ulti players are that we got such a good turn out when people from other sporting codes kept telling me "We'd never play in this weather!"

Having watched both games this week (damn you injured hand!), I was really impressed to see the level of ulti being played in such tough conditions.

Huck -vs- Meow
Resplendent in their new green strip, Huck's biggest problem was finding enough players to wear them! The rain was surely a dampener for their new recruits (someone tell those ladies there is now such a thing as waterproof mascara!), but playing savage in such savage conditions was a tall order ... especially against Meow, who had a line of subs stretching as far as the eye could see. Fortunately, general tallness is something that Huck have in spades (especially with the addition of Stretchy Pete, who raised the average height by about 2") and they manfully rose to the challenge. League rules dictate that, "should a team be able to field the minimum number of players, they may not enlist substitutes", which meant that the big men had to slog it out on their own. Tactically, Huck's major failing was not taking advantage of the Jamie-Pete endzone combo ... a combined 14 feet of receivers, both of whom are highly athletic, should have been receiving big Hucks into the corners. In my (never very humble) opinion, Jamie was wasted handling the disc. I know he can throw, but the good Lord made him big for one reason ... to Sky shorties!

Meow were, as we have come to expect, drilled, disciplined and fast; their handlers made strong use of backhand passes to avoid 'slippery fingers syndrome' and their cutters were just too fast, even for the lanky green machine.

The final score of 9-2 was telling, as Meow found a rhythm and never looked back. Overall, I think that Huck did well to hold up as well as they did to the Apocalyptic onslaught that Meow threw at them ... I can only hope that the resultant gamma rays beef up their lineup in preparation for their clash with the rapidly improving Boomstick next week. As for the AM crew? Their 2-0 roll is, no doubt, fueling their confidence leading into their round three slugfest against the equally dominant Empire. The for-against balance is still in Meow's favour, but its a close run thing.

Empire -vs- Boomstick

Loving the NQ weather, new migrant Liam Gillions took every opportunity to wet his nose by laying out constantly into the soft, wet ground. My question (directed squarely at Matt Ryan and Ryan Black), is "how can you not love a guy who is willing to layout for the T/O with three minutes to go when his team is 5 points up?"

As for the rest of the game? How would I know what happened? I was huddled under my insufficient umbrealla-ella-ella ey'o wishing I could retreat to the clubhouse! Seriously though, this was a more tightly contested game than the 11-5 scoreboard indicated. Empire scored their points in flurries, with protracted back and forward turnovers in between. Their scoring opportunities seemed to primarily come off the back of Wetnose's big defensive efforts or when Boomstick lost focus.

At the risk of blowing wind up my own kilt, it was clear that the deadites suffered from a lack of on-field leadership this week. Brent did a stellar job of handling in only his second week of ulti, but a lack of direction meant that he was often left without a dump option and trying to throw through traffic as Empire's seasoned veterans poached at will on the inexperienced 'stickers. Stuart Craig was, as always, a champion in defence and Shaun really stepped up to take a leadership role in the latter stages of the game - deciding that throwing it a long way away was better than easy poaches in spitting distance of our end zone*. Next week is going to be a big one for Boomstick; they are improving every week, but they are going to have to be disciplined if they are going to topple the tall timber of Huck.

As for Empire, expect them to have a very clear game plan going into their titanic clash against Meow. The Liam-Jacob connection is working well and their sole new recruit (whose name escapes me temporarily) is finding confidence with every point he scores and every hand-block he makes. The Evil Empire are really starting to gel as a team and it is going to be very interesting to watch their progress as they hit their straps. Of all the teams in the league, I think it is Empire who have the capacity to explode in terms of teamwork and fluency. Is it enough to topple the juggernaut that is Apocalypse Meow? You know what? I think it might just be.

With lightning forcing the game to a premature end and the lack of a Duckworth-Lewis system for Ultimate, Boomstick are willing to be gracious and offer Empire a gentleman's draw. If we had played that last three minutes, we are quietly confident of a comeback victory.

Hello? Empire? Don't worry ... we'll wait for you to get back to us then?

Until next week folks, Mr Ed out.


*Cairns Ultimate Disc does not condone spitting at endzones. Endzones have feelings too and should be afforded the same respect we all expect.

The CULT - Week 2 Preview

OK folks, the second installment of our CULT blog; it'll be a short one, as typing one-handed isn't really my thing.

Game 1: 6pm
The Incredible Huck vs Apocalypse Meow

Well, after a shaky start last week, Huck will be looking to put on a big performance against the well-drilled Meow. The three strong leadership team for the green machine need to get their collective heads together and formulate a strategy that will neutralize Meow's offence, while using thier considerable height advantage to pick up points where they can. Probably the biggest challenge for huck will be dealing with the fast cutting of the young and fit meow. If it were me planning a defensive strategy, I'd be playing Jamie and Pete in assassination Defense on Jay and Alecha respectively and have Stuart or Jeff stick like white on rice to Bailey.

No doubt buoyed by their weekend in T'ville, Meow stalwarts Alecha "the woman" Piva, Bailey the Elder Wand and the old man of strategy will all be looking to put the stamp on this game, right from the opening hooter. Although they may struggle with the height difference, expect to see Meow hogging the passing lanes in defence and poaching if ever Huck slow down. This is a fast team who will look to push the pace early.


Mr Ed's prediction: Huck will own the high game, but they won't be able to match the speed and discipline of a focussed Meow ... Meow to take the win 12-5

Game 2, 7pm
Boomstick vs The Empire Strikes Backhand

Last week's surprise package, Boomstick are quietly confident of another good showing this week, despite the loss of their captain. The key to their strategy is, unsurprisingly, speed as this was one area Empire struggled with last week. The ever-dependable Shaun returns to the fold after some high-altitude training in the Canadian Rockies this and he is definitely a player to watch in the midfield. Look for short cuts to prevent wet-weather spillage and a defense focussed on owning the endzone.

Key to Empire's strategy will, unsurprisingly, be the Wetnose-Lurch combination again. Can they manage to hold the disc despite the wet conditions? Only time will tell. Expect a cautious approach from the Empire; they will be looking to score safely - Wetnose is too experienced to huck it into the eye of the storm.

Mr Ed's prediction: It'll be messy, but I'm tipping Empire to win 15-6.

And that's it from me ... look to see the week in review after this soggy, soggy night of ulti!

High Spirits - Playing Ultimate the way it is meant to be played!

Excerpts from the Official Rules of Ultimate: 11th Edition

"The integrity of Ultimate depends on each player's responsibility to uphold the Spirit of the Game, and this responsibility should remain paramount."

"... Ultimate relies upon a spirit of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on the player. Highly competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of mutual respect among competitors, adherence to the agreed upon rules, or the basic joy of play. Protection of these vital elements serves to eliminate unsportsmanlike conduct from the Ultimate field. ... intentional infractions, or other 'win-at-all-costs' behavior are contrary to the Spirit of the Game and must be avoided by all players."

Disclaimer: Much of my article has been reproduced from another article written by the UPA Executive Committee. Text in black is a reproduction of this original article, text in blue represents my thoughts and reflections. I have, at times, edited or abridged the original and have done so without permission or consultation. The full, original article can be found at http://www.usaultimate.org/about/ultimate/spirit_of_the_game.aspx

Spirit of the Game sets Ultimate apart from other competitive team sports. For over 30 years, Ultimate has flourished, reaching a highly competitive level, without the use of referees. In Ultimate, the honor system works. Sure, human nature rears its ugly head from time to time - just as in any sport, just as in life. Yet, one of the many beauties of Ultimate is how, even amid the most difficult of situations, utmost graciousness is allowed to meet that challenge head on.

I am a frisbee nerd; I love playing, watching and talking Ultimate. As a result, I've watched hundreds of hours of YouTube videos, shaky hand-held game footage and I subscribe to the Elite Team Partnerships series on UltiVillage (that's right ... I pay to watch Ultimate online). Funny thing is, even at this elite level, even when people are representing their country, you regularly see players saying "I fouled you, I'm sorry."; you regularly see people saying "That hit the ground before I caught it." and you routinely see players and captains talking calmly and working out their disagreements in a mature, and above all, good-natured way. These are elite level athletes, playing at the top level the sport offers and they aren't looking to 'bend the rules' or take advantage of a situation ... despite training for years for that particular game, they still see good spirit as being more important than getting the W.

Most Ultimate players care deeply about Spirit of the Game. The ... challenge for ... Ultimate is to foster an environment where the challenge does not become,"to see what I can get away with". Rather than dictate (or try and police) what Spirit of the Game is or should be, it is up to each player to do so for him or herself within the context of the teams he or she plays with and against. To help all of us gain a better understanding of what spirit is, check out the list below.

Ten Things You Should Know About Spirit of the Game™

1. The golden rule: treat others as you would want to be treated.

Spirited games result from mutual respect among opponents. Assume the best of your opponent. Give him or her the benefit of a doubt. You would want the same for yourself. But if you are thick-skinned, do not assume that your opponent is. Maybe you should think of this rule as, "treat others as you would have them treat your mother."

I personally define this one as the "No Jerk Policy." Don't be one, and every

2. Control: SOTG takes real effort.

SOTG is not just some abstract principle that everyone adopts and then games run smoothly without effort. Close calls are made in tight games. Hard fouls are committed. SOTG is about how you handle yourself under pressure: how you contain your emotionality, tame your temper, and modulate your voice. If you initiate or contribute to the unraveling of spirit, the concept falls apart quickly. If you act to mend things (or at least not exacerbate the situation) by following (1) above, the game heals itself.

Walk away, cool down. Even if it means you drop a crucial point, or the opposition 'gets away with' something unspirited or dodgy. At all times, take the moral high ground and the integrity of the game is maintained. If there is one person who is consistently poor-spirited, see your captain and let them talk to the League Director ... don't engage in 'aggro'; too often this results in a game no-one has enjoyed.

3. Heckling and taunting are different.

Ultimate has a long tradition of good-natured heckling. Heckles are friendly barbs, typically from non-playing spectators. Heckling can be fun, but taunting is unspirited and wrong. Harassing remarks after an opponent's foul call or close play are NOT heckling: they are abusive taunts which create unpleasant playing conditions and often escalate to acrimonious disputes.

Be sure that all 'banter' is good natured and that both parties are enjoying it ... if, at any point, it stops being fun for all concerned, stop. Apologise. Move on.

4. SOTG is compatible with [competitive or intense] play.

It is a fallacy to argue that the stakes are so important that some aspect of SOTG can be cast aside. Time and again, great teams and star players have shown that you can bring all your competitive and athletic zeal to a game without sacrificing fair play or respect for your opponent.

5. Don't "give as you got."

There is no "eye for an eye." If you are wronged, you have no right to wrong someone in return. In the extreme case where you were severely mistreated, you may bring the issue up with a captain, tournament director, or even lodge a complaint with the governing body. If you retaliate in kind, however, a complaint may be filed against you. We recall point (1): treat others as you would have them treat you, not as they have treated you. In the end, you are responsible for you.

6. Breathe.

After a hard foul, close call, or disputed play, take a step back, pause, and take a deep breath. In the heat of competition, emotions run high. By giving yourself just a bit of time and space, you will gain enough perspective to compose yourself and concentrate on the facts involved in the dispute (was she in or out; did you hit his hand or the disc; did that pick affect the play). Your restraint will induce a more restrained response from your opponent. Conflagration averted, you may resume business as usual.

7. When you do the right thing, people notice.

When you turn the other cheek, you know you've done the right thing. You may not hear praise, there may be no standing ovation, but people do notice. Eventually, their respect for you and their appreciation of the game will grow.

8. Be generous with praise.

Compliment an opponent on her good catch. Remark to a teammate that you admire his honesty in calling himself out of bounds. Look players in the eye and congratulate them when you shake their hands after a game. These small acts boost spirit greatly, a large payoff for little time and effort.

9. Impressions linger.

Not only does the realization that your actions will be remembered for a long time serve to curb poor behavior, it can also inspire better conduct. Many old-timers enjoy the experience of meeting an elite player who remembers their first rendezvous on the field and recalls the event in detail. A good first encounter with an impressionable young player can have considerable long term positive impact.

10. Have fun.

And that's it from me, folks. SOTG is the building block our sport is built on; it is the thing that sets it apart from all other sports and it is the thing that will attract people to play. If we don't preserve and promote spirit ... Ultimate will end up as 'niggly' and spiteful as touch football is today. (No offence touchies ... but I challenge you to show me a touch game where people don't niggle and no-one backchats the ref).

The CULT - Week 1 in Review

WARNING EXCESSIVE EXCLAMATION MARK USAGE AHEAD!!!!!!!

Dear reader, if you were there ... you know what's coming next; if you weren't there ... I feel genuinely sorry for you.

Despite a slow start with the fields and a dark endzone caused by malfunctioning lights, the inaugural gathering of the CULT of Frisbee went off like a frog in a sock! With 11 new players and TV coverage by two news outlets (watch WIN and 7 at 6pm tonight), we're set for big things!

Game 1: 6pm (nominally, at least)
Huck -vs- Empire

With an eventual scoreline 0f 11-3, this was a definite tug-of-war game. Due to media commitments, this plucky blogger wasn't able to see much of the actual game, but there was a definite sense of greater organisation overcoming physical prowess. The Incredible Huck will definitely be looking to rally next week and it will be up to the leadership team to provide some strong on-field direction for a team who definitely has the physical attributes to go all the way. I'm putting this one down to first night jitters. Well done to the Evil Empire - are you ready for your Week 2 clash against the team with everything to gain? We'll see.

I have also been asked to make special mention of Huck's three new players who, in their first game, performed well, putting out some stellar defense. I know that we all look forward to seeing these new players develop!

Game 2: 7pm (ish)
Apocalypse -vs- Boomstick

I think it is probably fair to say that no-one saw this game unfolding the way it did and a source close to the team tells me that the look on Jay's face when the Deadites scored in the opening 20 seconds was "Priceless".

The game saw a composed and disciplined Apocalypse playing a solid strategy of working it through the handlers and looking for open cutters. It was textbook Ultimate and it worked. On the other hand, Boomstick were, if I say so myself, tenacious in a defensive strategy that was visibly frustrating the Apocalypse recievers (especially Stuart who saved a couple of really big points with layout D).

The halftime saw Apocalypse pull away to a decent 8-3 lead and they started to mix up their offensive strategy. Some aggressive cuts into the endzone saw them pull away still further until Boomstick managed to claw thier back to a 12-7 scoreline when the final hooter rang. In the final point, Boomstick were desperate to keep themselves in the hunt (Must win by 2), but were quickly put away by a disciplined Meow.

What can we expect next week? All I can say is stay tuned ... 'cause its going to be massive!

The CULT - Week 1 Preview

Wondering about the title? You should be. JDR decided that our league should be called the "Cairns Ultimate League, Thanks", purely so that we could be called "The CULT". After slight modification to The "Cairns Ultimate League (on) Tuesdays", we're away!

So anyway, about the Week 1 preview. I don't think I'll ever be the journalist Mr Sparkles is (Townsville Ultimate Blog), but I'll do my best unless someone else wants the job.

This week is really going to set the standard for the CULT and I'm pumped to see all four teams bringing their "A-Game". There will be a proverbial sifting of the wheat from the chaff as teams strive for the early phychological advantage and early-season bragging rights.

Game 1: 6pm
The Incredible Huck vs The Empire Strikes Backhand

This is no doubt going to be a close game and to say that it could go either way is a no-brainer. I think that the real question is whether either team is going to field a full-strength side this week.

Empire has an extremely strong experience base, centered around captain Liam Gillions, but a mix of somewhat erratic International talent and players traveling from as far away as Mareeba and Kuranda means that this guys need to make sure they are getting some ill communication on and representing each week. What can we expect to see from Empire this week? Big Hucks and Long cuts, with Wetnose looking to find Jacob and Jason D in the endzone.

On the other hand, the team formerly known as "RIP Incredibly Phony Katy Hucks Discy Business" have the potential for some extreme 'freakability' in terms of sheer height and physical prowess. I think the real question with this team is whether Jeff and Jamie can convince their players to dispense of personal displays of athleticism and work as a team. If they don't; I think that Liam's superior strategy will edge them out in the later stages of the game.

Mr Ed's prediction: Despite a mid-game comeback ... Empire to take the win 15-11

Game 2, 7pm
Boomstick vs Apocalypse Meow

With nought but enthusiasm on their side, nobody is going to be betting heavily on Boomstick to win this one. With two thirds of the Cairns representative squad coming out to play for Apocalypse, they are understandably confident coming up against a team where only two players actually know what the game is about.

Having said that, here are the breakdowns:

Oozing with well deserved confidence, expect to see the 'old man of strategy' trying out a series of bizzare set plays (often followed by a wry "Sorry team"). Key offensive combinations will be Jay as primary handler offloading to Alecha or Suttsie Quattro. With his speed, look to see Dylan making razor sharp cuts before dumping to Jay and Alecha. Expect to see new recruit Cephas Chinfat heading deep into the endzone where his height and reach will stymie all but the most determined Boomstick Defenders. The key to putting egg on the face of this experienced and talented team? Shut down the handlers and make Jay throw long.

So, what of Boomstick? Are they really ready to be relegated to the league's whipping boys? I say "Nay". With a strong experience base in a range of other sports, there will be a certain 'settling in time' ... but expect Boomstick to improve rapidly as players transfer their fitness and innate sporting understanding into cold hard points. What to look for this week? Short cuts, lots of dumps and dogged determination.

Mr Ed's prediction: Experience will out ... Apocalypse to win 15-4.

And that's it from me ... look to see the week in review after the inaugural game on Tuesday.