casual ultimate » My Arrogance

I was playing out at Ocean Beach this weekend in a relatively weak beach game, and I noticed two things. 1) I was being sort of arrogant out there as I am prone to do in games where I am the best or one of the best players, and 2) I didn’t get nearly as negative as I have in the past. I was goofing around as opposed to being a dick. That’s progress for me.

I admire guys like Nick H from Revolver who give 110% seemingly regardless of the situation. I’ve gotta say though; I’m not him. I don’t play like him, and I like the way I DO play. I’m a lot more creative and fluid than he is. I think my body knows what it needs to do, and when I’m at my best, I’m just letting it do it. After all, frisbee’s a game. Payne told me a couple of years ago that he thinks I see the field differently than most players. I think Nate from Brass told me that too. I know what they mean. I don’t always make the best decisions, but I see ways to attack the field that a lot of people don’t. Sometimes I throw a goal that seems like the obvious choice to me, and my team-mates will say “woooow” because they just didn’t see it, let alone have a throw or a fake to execute on it. It wasn’t an I/O break or a throw to the outside shoulder of an in-cut on the open side.

I have done a lot of work on my Ultimate game that has not involved a disc or any exercise. One thing I’ve noticed is that I need to be willing to let go of control to play well. I need to be willing to let go of the outcome of the point and the game. I need to let go of my image and reputation. I need to trust that the best outcome is not the one that I would choose. When I have let go, one of the ways I know it is by my hucks. When I am not in control, my hucks come off crisp and fly far. I am not trying to make my forehand into Schulzy’s or Halverson’s forehands. I’m not trying to throw my backhand like Safdie or Taylor. When I’m not invested in an outcome for my throw, the point, or the game, I can tell because the throw is easy and the disc goes where instinct sent it.

I pray on the line a lot, particularly when there’s fear in my body. I pray for my higher power’s will to take over this point. Your will not mine. Take away my fear and direct me toward your will. 3….2….1….Pull!