of fun within Ultimate that makes it an incredible experience.
In terms of improvement, you need to go slow to develop a complete understanding--we can’t build a pyramid on a faulty base. Even if a player is looking to peak at a certain tournament, we always have time to improve them in the long run.
Q: What separates a good Ultimate player from a national-level one? A: There are lots of good Ultimate players out there, and although natural build and athleticism definitely mean something, what really separates the good from the great is mental quickness and body control. Elite Ultimate happens so fast. It’s almost like you need to take a helicopter-view of the field to see how fast the players are making decisions and how they’re reacting to what’s happening with the other thirteen bodies around them.
Q: What are your plans with Ultimate Canada? What projects are you hoping to tackle? A: Right now, we’re focusing on the World Games and U24 training programs. The World Games athletes need to be prepared to play an extremely rigorous schedule, so we’re building individualized programs based on demands and needs versus injuries and past training history. I’ve been video chatting with the athletes, and I’m building their programs off of what will make them most successful, but it’s going to start with a lot of communication from the beginning so
that they can find the value in preparing with me. With the U24 prospects, we’re looking to put together building blocks for success that will best improve their basic physical literacy. We always say things like “engage your glutes”, but do people actually know how to do that? Now is the best time to work on the fundamentals.
Q: Any advice for the prospects getting ready for U24 tryouts? A: Be ready to go back to the basics. Everyone wants to do the cool stuff, but you can’t even do sprints properly without perfecting the form. I’m working with Ultimate Canada to put together a huge database of videos that anyone interested can have access to. Especially with the U24s, we know that some players could totally blow up if they had the resources to learn something as simple as how to stabilize their ankles. Sometimes, it’s actually the exercises that seem boring or easy that will help you succeed down the line the most.
Toronto Rush photos contributed by Ed Kung
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