Sunday, September 28, 2008

Things to Get your Head Around

Speaking of semi-regular topics, we’ve been meaning for a while to do something along the lines of “things you have to get your head around when learning to play Ultimate”. I’m sure you can imagine there’s a gold mine of topics here!

One thing to get your head around is that it doesn’t matter what the score is.

We’re inspired to write today because of a report in today’s Australian on last night’s Storm/Sharks semi-final match (rugby league for all those who’re unfamiliar). The Storm won 26-0.

Apparently late in the second half, a penalty was awarded to the Sharks that could’ve gone either way. Being footballers and trained from birth and by design to question referees constantly, the Storm protested heartily to the referee. After taking a couple of seconds of grief, the whistleblower turned to the Storm and said, “Guys, its 26 to nothing,” and left it at that.

Its clear in the context of the report that the journalist viewed that as a just or even merciful response. But one thing to get your head around in Ultimate is that this isn’t the done thing (at least between experienced players – it’s a bit more flexible when beginners are involved).

If you’re doing Ultimate right, you play the same way and interpret the rules the same way, whether you’re winning 15-0, losing 0-15, or playing in the final of the World Championships and its 15-15 and the next point wins. That’s the spirit of the game. And that’s something to get your head around.

2 comments:

Rueben said...

Nice point Jas
Ben Wiggins makes a similar point here: http://www.the-huddle.org/weblog/2008/08/07/wugc-2008-day-5/
He also plugs the Dingo's surge tactic

JdR said...

There was one point, back in '93 I guess, when I'd managed to read everything on the internet ... been catching up ever since!