Scobel Wiggins Photography

Andy SAMMONS
Player: UC-San Diego (4 years)
Coach: UC-San Diego (1 year)

What are the best ways to get new players involved on a college team?

The most unique thing UC San Diego does to keep new players involved revolve around what we call the "Fish Dance." Every first year, or "Fish" as we call them, is given a Squid name at a naming ceremony that happens a month into the season. Their name is written on the annual disc, and presented to them in front of the other first years, and the current team. The first years are expected to have their disc with them at all times during the first quarter. If they are seen without their disc by another team member, they are asked to sing and dance to an embarrassing song to the tune of "I'm a little tea pot," with the last line being "Huck it to me baby, and I'll lay out!" At that point in the song they lay out onto the ground, wherever they are, wearing whatever they're wearing. If they go to the dining hall, they are expected to have their disc with them. If they go off campus to the movies, they are expected to carry their disc with them. There are even stories of freshman being seen in Tijuana clubs with their fish discs. As a freshman, I was busted only once, during Thanksgiving break, while at college night in my Bay Area hometown. I had my disc in my car, but didn't figure I would see anyone 500 miles from UCSD. Of course I ran into two fourth-years, who had me do the dance in front of my high school friends who had no idea what I was doing, laying out onto the bricks in front of the local Starbucks. It was pretty funny, and made for a good story when I got back to the team.

The idea is to make sure they have a disc in their hand, and if they see an older team member who asks if they have their disc, and they do have it, they can get a couple of minutes of throwing in between class, or wherever they are. I threw everyday my first quarter because I always had my disc with me. I also figured out how to spin a disc on my finger and could practice switching grips from forehand to backhand and vice versa, because my fish disc was always in my hand. It gets teammates throwing and talking outside of practice, and helps give the team exposure to new freshman who see people with discs in their hands.

Carrying a disc everywhere they go really helps get ultimate in the front of their minds because if they go outside their dorm in their first quarter of school they need to make sure they have their disc, and hopefully gets them throwing on their own time, outside of practice.

What sorts of drills/practice formats have been successful in introducing the sport, as well making it fun?

Understanding that a first year player will likely not have disc skills or strategy knowledge is important. Asking them to complete throws in the first few months of playing this new sport may frustrate them, as they probably still haven't figured out the mechanics, or developed the confidence to throw upfield to a cutting receiver.

What new players can bring to the team is their athleticism. People who seek out a sport to play in college will probably have a sports background, so many will have no trouble translating that previous sports experience to running down and jumping for a huck, or hustling on defense.

Catching also comes quickly, so we would design drills early on that allow them to demonstrate their athleticism, and didn't require them to complete throws, or require much in the way of strategy. Some drills like this may be the "Huck Drill," where we have the first, second, and third years make two lines, (offensive and defensive) where the offense gets a slight head start down the field. These lines mimic an offensive cutter in the stack, and his defender. There is also a line of throwers positioned roughly 15 yards away, which should simulate the distance between a handler, and the back of the stack. The idea is to have the fourth years throw a huck, and have the younger players run it down, under defensive pressure. The offensive cutter starts whenever he is ready, and as soon as he goes, the huck is thrown. This is a great way for first years to show off their speed, jumping ability, and aggressiveness.

Another drill that is very easy for first years, is what we call the "Go To" drill. In this drill, there is a line of older players, who are throwers about 20 yards away from a pair of downfield cones, ready to throw what would be in-cut style throws. The two downfield cones are in line with the thrower line, and separated by about two to three yards. The line of defenders starts behind the further cone, and we have one offensive player. The offensive player runs away from the thrower, and towards the defensive line. Once he gets to the front cone, he makes a 180 degree cut, touches the cone and cuts back towards the thrower. Once he touches the cone, the defensive player is allowed to move, so you have an offensive player cutting towards the thrower, with a defensive player hot on his tail. The thrower puts up a soft throw to space, and the offensive cutter and his defender fight for the disc. Once the disc has either been caught, or D'ed, the disc is returned to the thrower, and the defensive player now becomes the offensive player. He runs back away from the thrower, towards the line of defenders, and the drill repeats.

This drill is great, because again, you let the young players show off their speed and aggressiveness. This drill also showcases laying out, because you have a soft throw to space with two players running full speed to get it. When we first show this drill as an example to the first years, we make sure to have the guys with the biggest layouts in the example to show the first years how awesome getting a layout D can be. We then make a ton of noise when the first years layout during the drill. It makes them feel good, and it's easy to get excited about making a huge layout grab or D, especially with an entire team cheering you on when you make a great play.

What off-field things can you do to make being on the team a priority for a new recruit on the fence about committing?

First years need to showcase athleticism first and foremost. Secondly, we look for players who are willing to learn, but a player's athleticism is definitely the biggest factor in determining if he will make the A-team. Disc skills and strategy can be taught, but there is no substitute for a natural athlete.