Buying in

If you can't get others to believe in you, it doesn't matter how much you know or how right you are.

Hopkins: 2009 Westerns Champions

It's really cool to see all this green:

Tweeting

Stale around here, huh?

Try http://twitter.com/joesbrother.

Recent tweets also seen in the right side bar --->

Two Coaching Tips

Two major tips to improve your coaching ability instantly:

1. When you ask a group if there are any questions, wait in awkward silence for 10+ seconds before moving on. Most coaches (teachers) wait for a 1.5 second count and move on. Kids just don't muster the courage to ask that "dumb" question in that amount of time. If you're not willing to wait 10 seconds for someone to ask, don't make the request in the first place.
   
   
2. Never ask questions of the type "does anyone not understand?" Fact is, it takes a courageous individual to admit to not "getting it." Always phrase your poll in the form "raise your hand if you understand." People are proud to show off their understanding. And for those who don't yet comprehend, their inaction can be easily detected by you, without running the risk of embarrassment for them.

Now go do it.

Five Miserable Things about Observing

A month ago, I volunteered to observe at College Central Regionals. Well, not really. I was solicited by the head observer -- and yes, I deliberately chose that verb.

When asked to be an observer, I stated, "I'd love to but ______." In hindsight, I regretted using the phrase "I'd love to" because the UPA very convincingly countered my "but" and I got locked in. Still, I do love giving back to ultimate, so I went ahead with it. But it did make me realize the UPA does way too little for its observers, given these reasons:

1. Missing a Game-to-Watch
   Being a Minnesota alumnus, half the reason I go to Regionals is to watch those G Ducks play big games. Problem being, during important rounds, I'm tied up observing another game since I'm exempt from "officiating" any Minnesota game. But to generalize, tournaments requiring observers naturally have a lot of good games. It sucks observing a blow-out 7 fields away from the game everyone is watching. Sometimes the biggest expense is not the travel costs, but what you don't get to see ... which brings me to ...
   
   
2. The Compensation Sucks
   Your expenses are reimbursed -- sometimes. I did receive reimbursement this year, but last year I wasn't given a nickel because I hadn't been told receipts were required for any reimbursements (yeah yeah, I guess I should have known that). It should also be noted that the UPA did not reimburse me. It was a Luther College employee associated with organizing the tournament. No additional compensation was offered. I realize ultimate is a volunteer-run activity, but observing is one of the volunteer positions held to a very high level of standards and accountability, despite the fact that it is a volunteer position ... which brings me to ...
   
   
3. Getting Bitched At
   If you think it's fun to be approached and rebuked by complete strangers, then by all means, I highly recommend becoming a UPA Certified Observer. Yes, it has happened to me a couple times. And no it's not just irrelevant people with valueless opinions committing this act of wanton disrespect. Sometimes it's a Callahan Award winner. And even if you get a call 100% right, it may not matter given the nature of the rules ... which brings me to ...
   
   
4. Over-Complicated/Ambiguous Rules
   For those that think the rules of ultimate are easy, I applaud you. You are obviously someone of infinite wisdom. The rules are lengthy, in large part subjective, and occasionally ambiguous. In fact, there's only one portion of the rules that is considered objective, which brings me to . . .
   
   
5. Sidelines
   The only active call an observer makes is in/out. When there is a need for observers, there is generally a similar need for lined fields, but not always. And if they are indeed lined, but it had been raining on Friday and Saturday, the lines -- and objectivity -- are washed away by Sunday. And even if the lines are in great condition, roughly 2/3 of the spectators and players make no effort to stay off the playing field while the disc is live in order to get a good look at a play near the sideline. This is most true when there's a close play on the sideline and the observer's perspective is critical.
   

All of these problems are correctable, by the way. And I don't know if the UPA (or anyone) is pro-actively doing anything about it. Ugh ... the UPA. Anyone want to tell me what they are really doing except running a championship and recruiting more members?

On a somewhat related note, I realized our sport has virtually no chance at mass spectator-appeal in its current state while I was on the field for the greatest game in Central Regionals history: Wisconsin vs Iowa, Saturday semi-finals. I have one idea that will at least begin to steer us in the right direction. My next post will provide more details and I'm going to need help. Stay tuned.

User-Generated Content

User-generated content saved the internet:



Now if it could also save lives! Yikes.

T-shirt designers wanted, Brains not required

Oh ... so I suppose you think this is clever:

You, Mr. Poorly Crafted Novelty T-shirt Designer Guy, are the im-peach-ED one.

Impeached by me.

Soda Can Synch

Brilliant:



Hopkins Hustle is tomorrow. Come out to Maple Plain and support Youth Ultimate!