A SEASON ON THE LINK: DoGNET '99

The following are excerpts from our mail list. These emails are only a collection of comments from members of the team sent to our team list and should not be construed as the personal opinion of all of our team. However, they give a glimpse into how a group of individuals becomes a team.

Ultimate is an odd mix of behind the times and high tech. We still have non-matching uniforms, no coaches at the upper levels (except for college teams), unlined fields, five minute arguments, hazy roster boundaries, unproven strategies, poor knowledge and varying interpretation of occasionally inconsistent rules, and the still-present "frisbee time." On the other hand, Ultimate players are disproportionately involved in technical fields, "+ultimate +frisbee" just turned up 23850 Web pages on Alta Vista, and countless debates are carried on (and rehashed) over the Internet via rec.sport.disc. DoG fancies itself a pioneer in this respect (as in all respects, some say). Our playbook went online in 1994, and we have had a team email list since that year. This list has been invaluable over the years, as it has been used to discuss strategies, philosophies, personnel management, and administrative issues, in addition to the normal chest-thumping and chatting. It enables even the shyest and busiest to communicate. It lets the windbags spew and no one has to stand around and listen. It stops a player from calling another a "*&#$*@$# #@@$*(&" in anger. And it lets us of all be grammarians.

This past year has been unique in DoG history. For the first time, an eager new generation has had an impact and changed the nature of the team, perhaps enough that really a new name could be called for. The roster has 25 hungry players, young and old, tall and short, foreign and domestic, after years of 18-20 calm, experienced vets pulling it together for Nationals. The following are excerpts from our mail list, giving a glimpse into how a team becomes a team.

SUBJECT: ABOUT RETIREMENT

10/29/98

Forget about it... none of us are retiring.

Paul had a moment of weakness when he said that this was it.

I was drunk when I said goodbye.

Lenny can never be trusted.

Jay is in it even if it's simply to carry the water.

John Bar can't survive without practice.

Bob and Chris have found new depth to their marriage because of the trip to Florida.

Bim has proven his passion for the team beyond a shadow of a doubt.

WE'RE ALL STAYING!

When does practice start-up again?

What's the new D going to be?

Who wants to run stadiums with me this weekend?

We have to win Clubs in St. Andrews. It's the title left that we haven't won.

SUBJECT: HONDA

3/16/99

Lads,

I just heard from Honda. It looks like he'll be here in mid-June ready to train (?) for Worlds. He's a bit worried about DoG and Worlds because he apparently heard that we aren't signed up for it. He had hoped to play for us and I assume he's made plans to fly there and is worried that he won't have a team to play with when he gets there. I assured him that we aren't possibly that disorganized. Are we? What's up for Worlds? I hope I'm not leading this poor guy on. Who is organizing the Worlds deal that can respond to his inquiries?

SUBJECT: SOOOOOOooooooo many mistakes
6/9/99
I tried, but I simply can't resist assessing why we were not victorious over the weekend.

Yes, I am glad that we stuck to the Swedish and I believe that it has some real potential.

Yes, I'm impressed with how we brought so many new players into the fold and successfully rotated the playing time (it's never perfect).

And a HUGE yes to what I said in one of the huddles... that game and tournament for that matter was the beginning of another championship season.

Now, the reasons why we were not victorious:

* We couldn't match their desire (would we have cheered like that had we won? at the highest level it comes down to DESIRE... they had it, we didn't)

* Too many people failed to execute (our throws missed their targets, our hands dropped the disc). Given that we haven't been practicing, we can't be all that surprised by these errors.

* We are working with a new team dynamic (Bill was right with his assessment that each of us might have been looking for someone else to step up).

SUBJECT: SUNDAY PRACTICE

6/11/99

This Sunday is the first step towards the summer and fall season (or maybe the second, if you include last weekend, or perhaps the third, if you count Tuesday at the stadium. The point is that it's the first step of the rest of the season.)

SUBJECT: FIXED ON SIX

6/11/99

I just can't help it... I'm hard-wired.

Personnel issues aside, here's what we have to do to be successful this fall.

* Want it. *

What we displayed on Sunday didn't cut it. Who wants it? Who wants to SCORE!!!

* Work for it. *

Are you on schedule to be in the kind of shape that it takes to dominate? Is there someone else out there working harder that you? If there is, I hope that they are on our team.

* Experiment with new strategies. *

The Swedish needs to be tweaked, but it's great. What else can we do?

* Say no to distractions. *

Mental toughness. It's that simple. Focus, focus, focus.

* Give something back. *

Who's the treasurer? Who's securing fields for the fall? What have you done for this team lately!!!

SUBJECT: Worlds roster

7/9/99

3) There has been some lethargy and lack of intensity over the past few weeks, at least from what I've sensed, heard, and seen. June is typically a slow month for us, and the start of summer league and the heat haven't helped. Remember that our goal always has been and always will be to peak in OCTOBER, and Worlds and its preparation was planned with that in mind. Now that Worlds is 4 weeks from this Sunday, it is time for those of us going to Worlds to turn it up a notch in intensity and conditioning. We have 12 practices between now and Scotland, which is plenty of time to solidify or offensive and defensive strategies for the tournament, and build up speed endurance -- as long as the practices and workouts are well-played and well-attended.

SUBJECT: FALL STUFF

7/27/99

This is a team in transition, not completely old or completely new. Worlds will be a good chance to test out new ideas and see what to carry forth from the past. We will not be able to just punch in the numbers anymore. After 4 or 5 years of doing the same stuff to them, our opponents will catch on.

SUBJECT: FINDING THE DESIRE

8/4/99

For the last 5 years we have found a way to put our best efforts on the line when it has counted most. We have learned to both train hard as well as let it all hang out on the field. Similarly, in each of the losses we've sustained during this same period, we might all agree that we didn't forward our best.

Every tournament presents us, as individuals, with opportunities to put it all on the line. We make those decisions before AND during critical games. Oh, sure... there are always excuses: tired, hurt, not playing enough, hate that guy. These are all distractions. We can ignore everyone one of these and CHOOSE TO PUT OUT!

When we don't make our best effort, it will always bug us when we look back at these fleeting moments.

I'm not going to wish you all good luck at Worlds, because luck has nothing to do with it.

MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

SUBJECT: WORLDS RAMBLE

8/20/99

5) Maybe there are some other reasons--no real expectations, lots of playing time for everyone--but the bottom line of bottom lines is that the young players and the old old players all played their best ultimate because of the other group being there. I hope the fall allows us to continue this in some way or another. I have bent lots of ears to say I think this would be best for all the vets on DoG and for the younger players as well, even if it means reduced playing time for the former, and another year before the roster can accommodate the latter.

Thanks to all you guys who made Scotland a blast for me.

SUBJECT: COMMUNICATION

9/4/99

Communication is an important part of our team's on-field performance. Beyond the normal encouragement that you shout to the players, there is also the concise information that is given either by an onlooker who sees something the player can't or by one player to inform another of a change in the situation on the field. All good teams in all field/court sports communicate to each other while playing.

SUBJECT: TEAMMATES

9/10/99

Over the past year or so we have talk a lot about being a good teammate and the importance of having good teammates on the team. I am happy to say that I think this team has a great bunch of teammates. Nevertheless, what it means to be a good teammate has never been expressed. With some help I've put together some things we should all think and keep in mind during the season. Try to remember these things and perhaps remind those that don't. Team wins.

Think before you yell.

Be constructive in your assessments.

Note good plays and good efforts.

Rely on your teammates as you want them to rely on you.

On the field or off you are always in the game.

Give 100% at all times -practice, games, track.

Demand of yourself what you demand of your teammates.

Demand of your teammates what you demand of your yourself.

Know your teammates' strengths and weakness. If you don't, ask.

Learn from your mistakes.

Resolve and learn from miscommunications - never let it linger.

Don't let teammates get down.

Know when to keep quiet.

Help from the sideline, always.

Protect each others’ weaknesses and promote their strengths.

On off days work on your weaknesses.

There are no off days.

Rest assured your teammates are doing something every day of the week.

Never let disputes get personal or take them beyond the game (settle it with your cleats on).

Nationals is won by the best team, not the best players.

SUBJECT: LOOKING FOR FALL PREDICTIONS

9/16/99

Did you notice how jubilant Furious George was after they won the finals at tune-up? Did you notice after each of our games we simply shook hands and carried on business as usual? Somewhat telling. Keep on pushing so we can celebrate the big victory in October.

SUBJECT: WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

9/23/99

One of the things that has differentiated DoG for the last 5 years has been the mailing list. We have even joked that we don't talk in huddles, we E-mail.

In an effort to take this list to the next level. I submit to you a short survey.

If we could improve only one thing between now and nationals, what should it be?

Suggest ways that might get us to where you think we need to be faster, and/or more effectively.

RESPONSES

Marking. Defense starts with the mark. A good mark is a sign of good mental focus and a coherent team playing together. When the mark is lazy and crappy all the strategy/conditioning/motivation in the world will not generate turns for the D or second chances for the O.

* Mental focus: All 25 of us must decide individually and collectively that we want to win more than anything else and that we cannot live with anything less. We will not win without that mental commitment. We must train and play with the hunger of underdogs.

Effort - effort is everything. It's how you approach your play on the field and off. It's how you run at the track. It's how you prepare the night before practices. If you don't put effort into all aspects of this game then the team won't win. Marking is all about effort. Cutting is all about effort. Clearing is all about effort. Covering is all about effort. You got to want this. If not, the team won't succeed.

It just seems that if we all took more pride in holding our marks and forced the opponents to throw where WE wanted them to throw, the rest would be easy. I believe that this one improvement would have the greatest impact on actual game results.

Mental focus (intensity). Everyone gets inspired by different things, so I can't suggest one trick for everyone. But there is a synergistic effect, though, so you being fired up to play makes it easier for me to be fired up to play (and vice versa). Go out there with a purpose each day. Make it a challenge. Find a Voice that will pump you up (whether that Voice is inside you or from one of your teammates).

stacking/clearing/what we're doing when we're on the field but the disc isn't coming to us (or one pass before it is coming to us). This applies to both offense and defense.

Team unity: we need to communicate better on and off the field. Unity starts with trust. Trust begins with the feeling that everyone is giving 100% at practice to improve as an individual and as a teammate. If I believe my teammates are trying to achieve the same goals as me, I will work even harder. I don’t care if you think what we are doing is dumb, you have to do it and give it your best. Its all about 25 guys doing and thinking the same things.

Mental focus: the meaning of "gold". We must learn the difference between a good throw and a bad choice and a bad thrown and a good choice. It is a game of choices and we must understand the difference between good and bad choices. If "gold" means the same thing to everyone on the team, we will win going away.

SUBJECT: THE WEEK IN DOG

9/27/99

I wanted to mention a few things for us to be thinking about and about where I think we are in the season. In general, I really think we are on track, IF WE KEEP UP THE FOCUS and INCREASE THE INTENSITY. Our trend line looks good...

Over the course of a season the things that are important to the team change. We should be progressing in terms of conditioning, strategy, intensity and focus. We try lots of new things (personnel/positions, offenses, defenses) and then select the few we like and focus more on them towards the end.

Up to now there hasn’t been too much emphasis on choices and intensity, although it has been increasing continue to change this week and over the weekend. I think it has been a good idea to let people play and see what we can do. get to know each other. But at some point we have to all come to the understanding that choices and intensity will win or lose games.

This is the time in the season that unforced turnovers become unacceptable.

This is the time in the season that we have to focus more on possession of the disc, to look off some throws we threw last week bc they are just too risky/uncertain for the semis at nationals.

This is the time we learn what "gold" means. As I think we all know, it isn’t always an easy lesson, but it is something we have to do as a team.

This is the time of the season we refuse to accept a lazy mark.

This is the time of the season we refuse to accept a quiet sideline.

This is the time of the season we refuse to accept dissension.

This is the time of the season we refuse to accept anything but total devotion to our goals.

Regionals will be a test as to whether we can play as a team of 25, whether we can use our talent, unity, focus, and size as a powerful weapon.

We all realize that we have great players on the team, just look around during a huddle. The question that remains is whether we will develop to be a great team, whether we can play as a team, with one voice, one goal, one mind.

It is worth the effort.

see you at the track, same times.

"It's not necessarily the amount of time you spend at practice that counts; it's what you put into the practice."

--Eric Lindros

SUBJECT: KEYS TO SUCCESS

10/18/99

About this time each year DoG has to review everything that we have learned and prioritize what still needs work. Here is a short list of what we need to improve on. Some of these items can be addressed here in Boston, but some of this we simply have to commit to, in our minds, and then make them happen on the field in SD.

Marking: Games are won as a result of effective, and physical marking. The O's D just doesn't get it, yet... but needs to.

Defensive communication: Individual greatness is a big diving block. Team greatness is much more subtle. Team greatness is playing as a unit, counting on the mark, forcing a man deep 'cause you know you have help. We need both individual and team greatness at Nationals.

Stack Management: Green works when we have a tight, short stack that moves as a unit to create space for a relatively clear hierarchy of cutters. Brown works with short and wide lineup that doesn't creep in or spread too deep. To the uninformed, Ultimate can look like a series of random plays highlighted by flashes of brilliance. To DoG, Ultimate is a disciplined group of players moving as a team with players constantly anticipating the next cut and throw.

Play calling: We WILL call plays at Nationals... lots of them. We are a much better team when we all know what's about to happen.

All of this is attainable.

MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!

SUBJECT: 100%

9/20/99

Choices

Field Position

Calls/Communication.

For those of you working on all the potential ramifications and potential match-ups throughout the tourney (who do we play if Ring loses to Miami on Friday morning...), FORGET ABOUT IT. Focus your energy on visualizing a great play. All you need to know is the game time and the field number. It just doesn’t matter. game time. field number. line 'em up. next.

SUBJECT: OWN IT

10/22/99

Take a minute to own the following statement: "I am the difference."

Now project yourself into a game next week. If you're the difference, how will it effect your play? How will it effect what you do on the sideline when you're not in the game? How will it effect what you do and say after someone else makes a great play?

I won't put thoughts into your head, but what this statement doesn't imply is: "I'm the difference, so I'd better throw this overhead the length of the field to break the zone." The concept of being 'the difference' varies for each of us, based on our individual skills and our role on the team. The more we feel comfortable in that role, the more we can make happen.

What's the catch. Well, you might be thinking:

What about this nagging injury?

or

I don't like my role... I should be a handler.

or

I'm better than him and should be playing more.

BULLSHIT! These are all excuses.

You ARE the difference!

Now let's get to it: NUMBER ONE BABY!!!

SUBJECT: Interview with Bill Russell

10/25/99

"To be the best in the world. Not last week. Not last year. But right now. You are the best. And it's even more satisfying as a team, because that's more difficult. If I play well, that's one thing. But to make other players better . ." He grins, savoring the memory. "You understand what I mean."

Russell's Celtics were 14-0 in must win games.