Welcome to 2008 Salt Lake mixed club team tryouts! The goal of these tryouts is to bring together all those interested in playing at club co-ed ultimate tournaments this summer and fall – these tryouts are a chance to enjoy the time to learn from each other, expand upon skills, and find out about the possibilities of playing with either of two awesome teams from Salt Lake! Golden Spike or Chasing Tail!

Golden Spike is planning to make another run at a bid for nationals, and these tryouts will be used to select the full Golden Spike roster. All returning players who want to play this year, including those on the tryout committee, are required to participate in the tryout process to make the team. The tryout committee this year consists of 5 people: Chris Watkins, Scott McNally, Jesse Adams, Amanda Wing, Mo Stamp (selected by the votes of appx. 35 people including Golden Spike and Chasing Tail players and others who have been showing up to coed practices this spring).

If you want to play with Golden Spike (“A” team) but are unable to participate in some (or even all) of the tryout dates let us know; you may be considered on a case-by-case basis...

Chasing Tail will also be able to determine the B team roster and the two teams can build along beside each other. The goal for the B team is to qualify for Northwest Regionals; expectations for players are to attend Sectionals and local tournaments the B team decides to attend. Same for B players that you can still be invited to play with the B team without making tryouts and considered case-by-case basis.

Here is the link to take the survey so we can prepare tryouts for the numbers that will show up.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=FUt_2bd_2b0AxkL1VBw8pTIVCA_3d_3d

Tryout Dates

We realize these dates are somewhat last-minute, but please do your best to attend all sessions. We have included weeknight and weekend dates in hopes of maximizing participation. The process will be fun and valuable if participation is as consistent as possible. Locations for the tryouts can be viewed here.

Wed. June 18, 6-8:30pm (cleats on, ready to run at 6pm)
Wed. June 25, 6-8:30pm (cleats on, ready to run at 6pm)
Sat. June 28, 9am-1pm (cleats on, ready to run at 9am) followed by PARTY

After this initial set of tryouts, participants will be notified as to whether they’ve been selected for the A or B team. Both the A team and B team will be participating at the GRUB tournament in Boulder CO on July 19-20; optional combined practices for both teams will continue on Wednesday nights (July 2, 9, 16) in preparation for GRUB.

Many of the people trying out and on the decision committee will also be at regular Sat. Sugarhouse pickup on June 14 and June 21. – participation in this is optional but encouraged for all those trying out.

People whose schedules do not allow them to participate in the June tryout process may be invited to play at GRUB as their tryout. Final A and B team roster decisions will be made after GRUB.

Golden Spike Team Expectations (for when it’s “business time”)

Detailed team goals and leadership will be worked out at a later time, but in general the goals for Golden Spike (“A” team) are to win Big Sky Sectionals, travel to Northwest regionals, and qualify for club nationals in Florida.

Participation in Golden Spike requires a significant commitment. Specific expectations are that you will:

• Participate in 1 practice per week (most likely held on Tuesdays or Wednesdays).
• Be personally accountable to spend time outside of practice to do what you need to stay/get in shape, stay healthy, work on throws, play additional ultimate, etc. as individually needed.
• Participate in the tournaments listed below.
• Support and respect team leadership by arriving on time, staying focused, listening carefully to play calls, being willing to take direction, providing input only at appropriate times.
• Rock the dance floor at parties.
• Support and respect teammates by staying positive, being enthusiastic and providing vocal support/staying involved in the game from the sideline.
• Buy-in to team dynamics and adapt to/support selected team strategies.
• Maintain a positive attitude, bring good energy and have fun.

Scheduled Tournaments

• GRUB, Boulder CO, July 19-20.
• Ski Town Classic, Park City, August 9-10
• Jackson (WY), August 16-17
• Scorcher (Boise), August 30-31
• Sectionals (assuming Missoula), Sept. 13-14 or 20-21 (TBD)
• Northwest Regionals (location & dateTBD, typically California or Washington in early October)
• UPA Club Nationals, Florida, date TBD, typically around Halloween

Tips to improve your chances of making the team

Check out a great discussion of the tryout process on-line at http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/2/

Here are a few specific tips:

• always hustle on defense
• be the first defender down on the pull
• give Watkins free beer (out of state preferred, Newcastle best)
• be active on the mark (on your toes!)
• play with confidence
• aim to be 100% on offense/ play within your own game
• bring lots of energy, speed, and endurance
• show up to tryout sessions on time or early
• ask questions when appropriate; listen when appropriate
• support and encourage your fellow tryout participants
• provide sideline support during scrimmages
• demonstrate a willingness to take direction/ adapt your play to the called team strategy
• bring your “business” socks (check forum posts if you don’t know what this means)
• if you’re a man, show that you’re able and willing to throw to women
• if you’re a woman, be aggressive, touch the disc, make an impact
• think about the person/people you most enjoy having as a teammate - the person(s) you “play for” – and be that person to your tryout scrimmage teammates
• know your strengths as a player and showcase them
• make good decisions with the disc