London Winter League – Open #1 – 13/12/2015

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Team: Nick, Nicola, Tom P, Brenton, Tristan, CT, Ross, Sam GS, GeeGee, Elliott J, Charlie.

Loss to Flump

Flump came across as confident and well drilled and they came out with a number of tactics which tested our ability to think on our feet. Despite this, our team played hard and remained well focused despite a short warm up. We achieved several well worked scores despite significant pressure.

Win against Camden

We were complimented by Camden on how we centred the disc and on our athleticism. We were able to use our heads a bit more, creating space for our team mates to run the patterns which created some unstoppable movement and great looking progression of the disc. Charlie impressed everyone with a perfectly weighted disc to a deep cutting Nicola and as a squad we implemented team defence tactics which allowed both Sam and Tristan to demonstrate some athletic defensive plays as we had a handle on their offense.

Loss to St Albans

This proved to be our tightest game against some evenly matched athletes – their familiarity with each proved to be the game changer, and the short games affected our ability to adapt on defence. However, we worked the disc well, but towards the end of the game we stopped thinking with our heads and some poor cutting stopped our flow. Despite this, Elliot and CT had some great defensive goal saving bids and across the squad everyone contributed and played hard throughout the whole afternoon.

 

Nick ([email protected])

Meet the Coaches – Pugh

Article

Last, but not least. It’s Pugh! He’s coaching both Guildford, and the Surrey Uni team this year. We questioned him on some key issues.

Jon “Pugh” Pugh

Frisbee career highlights in 140 characters or less?

My highlights are almost all about seeing people improve/implement advice. GB U23 Women’s performance against the North Americans was a particular highlight. The difference between where Surrey came at Nats when I started, and ended my time there was awesome. Watching TSU 2nds come back from 9-5 down to win 10-9 the other week was also amazing.

Your top 5 tournament essentials?

A disc. My Nalgene. Some food to share with the team. Hockey ball. Savlon for golfer’s crack.

Favourite throw?

IO flick break

You can only do one drill for the rest of the season, what would it be?

3 man breakforce/mad marker. It has so many elements that can be altered to simulate difficult situations for a thrower.

One piece of advice for a new player who wants to get picked for a team that you coach?

Work hard and listen.

Finish the sentence: If I hadn’t started playing Ultimate Frisbee I …

… would have finished my degree in the correct amount of years.

 

Got any questions/comments for the coaching team? You can reach them by sending an email to

Meet the Coaches – Nick

Article

Now it’s the turn of the main man, head coach, Nick Roberts. Our fearless reporter uncovered some important insights. Enjoy.

Nick Roberts

nick

 

Frisbee career highlights in 140 characters or less?

Winning the Ka-Pow! grass crown [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grass_Crown]  at Nationals 2013 for the play which took us to Euros.

Your top 5 tournament essentials?

  • TNF waterproof bag
  • Travel Pak Towel (which I always forget)
  • Finisterre Jacket made from recycled water bottles and super windproof & warm – lime green optional
  • Make your own trail mix in a box
  • Packet of hydration tablets

Favourite throw?

No pivot backhand. Practice your wrist snap and transfer it to your bigger throws for improve distance and stability.

You can only do one drill for the rest of the season, what would it be?

GUltimate (goaltimate)

One piece of advice for a new player who wants to get picked for a team that you coach?

Do the drill in the game.

Finish the sentence: If I hadn’t started playing Ultimate Frisbee I …

… would have climbed more and spent even more on tarty gear.

 

Got any questions/comments for the coaching team? You can reach them by sending an email to

Meet the Coaches – Nicola

Article

Next up in our “Meet the Coaches” series is Nicola. She’s been playing for GU for years and is now taking on additional responsibility as a coach. We got to the heart of some key issues during our interview. Enjoy.

Nicola Harrison

 

Frisbee career highlights in 140 characters or less?

Coming 6th at Euros 2015 and beating Black Eagles to qualify for Euros 2013.

Your top 5 tournament essentials?

Warm clothes, more warm clothes, waterproof bag to put warm clothes in, boyfriend with further warm clothes, boots.

Favourite throw?

Backhand huck.

You can only do one drill for the rest of the season, what would it be?

Is scrimmaging a drill?

One piece of advice for a new player who wants to get picked for a team that you coach?

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from the coaches. It shows that you are taking ownership of your own development.

Finish the sentence: If I hadn’t started playing Ultimate Frisbee I …

…would still be a brass band geek!

 

Got any questions/comments for the coaching team? You can reach them by sending an email to

Meet the Coaches – Tugs

Article

The 2015/16 season sees a fresh new coaching team at the club. Although they are all familiar faces, we bundled them into a dimly lit room and grilled them on a range of subjects for your entertainment. First up, it’s Tugs!

Simon “Tugs” Yorath

Frisbee career highlights in 140 characters or less?

Nationals 2013: Great weekend playing great(ish) Ultimate with the little team that could. Winning is even more fun for the underdogs!

Your top 5 tournament essentials?

  • DISC! Why do so many frisbee players turn up to frisbee tournaments without a damn frisbee?
  • Warm/waterproof coat. I always have one handy even if the forecast is good. We do play mostly in the UK, after all.
  • Sports/sugary drink. It’s horrible when your blood sugar starts to drop during a close game, and you start making stupid mistakes. A steady supply of Powerthirst usually stops that from happening!
  • Spare socks. For years I would play a whole weekend in one pair of socks, which has made for a lot of pretty miserable Sunday mornings at tour.
  • Dairylea lunchables. I know they aren’t proper tournament food. I know they have barely any nutritional value. But I don’t care. They’re just.. so… yummy!

Favourite throw?

Easy: No-look scoober. Ideally before the mark has finished saying “stalling.”

You can only do one drill for the rest of the season, what would it be?

One drill? I’d probably just play endless goaltimate…

One piece of advice for a new player who wants to get picked for a team that you coach?

Improve your throws. Practice long throws and short throws, break throws and quick throws. Throw in the wind and the rain and the sunshine. Practice your weakest throw until it is at least consistent, practice your best throw until it is devastating. Learn to throw hammers and scoobers and blades and push-passes. At the end of the day, Ultimate is a skill sport, and all teams have room for a great thrower.

Finish the sentence: If I hadn’t started playing Ultimate Frisbee I …

… wouldn’t have made such as hash of my degree!

 

Got any questions/comments for the coaching team? You can reach them by sending an email to