http://www.the-huddle.org/ The Huddle is an online Ultimate magazine from Ben Wiggins & Andy Lovseth, with tips and insights on strategy from some of the world's best players http://www.the-huddle.org/features/philly-fusion/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/philly-fusion/ We hear again from Michelle Ng about the experience of putting on Philly Fusion, a combined college and club Women's tournament. Wed, 06 Oct 2010 14:59:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/29/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/29/ Some players, whether through experience or natural talent, seem to understand what is happening on the field at all times. Those players have an advantage with the disc in their hands as they are able to pick out open players, even if the cutter didn't know they were open! They tend to be intelligent cutters and savvy defenders. Why? Tue, 25 May 2010 13:40:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/fostering-womens-college-development/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/fostering-womens-college-development/ In this feature we will hear from Michelle Ng, her compatriot organizers, and coaches, captains, and players, who all participated in a series of learning tournaments this past fall and winter. Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:00:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/28/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/28/ What did the champions do very well? Did their team have a particular strength that they rode throughout the tournament? Do the champions have any weaknesses, or are we left hoping that they somewhat regress? What might you do differently in 2010 in an attempt to beat them? What should other teams do in order to train for victory over these top teams? Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:53:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/27/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/27/ How do you field the pull? How many handlers to do you hold back? What considerations do you make based on how deep the pull goes, or which side of the field it lands on? Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:57:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/26/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/26/ As an offensive player, what do you look for to break this defensive strategy? As a coach, how do you prepare to play against this defensive scheme? Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:20:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-year-in-review/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-year-in-review/ A look back at 2009 at The Huddle. Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:32:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/crossfit-an-offseason-option/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/crossfit-an-offseason-option/ Xi Xia brings us his experience with CrossFit. Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:09:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/25/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/25/ Everyone knows how to mark...but what are the tricks that some of the top players are using? Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:09:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/24/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/24/ Big Ideas are hard, and they are complicated. Justice is a Big Idea. If I want to know about Justice, it doesn't help to ask a bunch of philosophy students for one-liners. To really learn about Justice, I want to find criminals, victims, cops, defense attorneys, and those falsely accused. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:13:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/23/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/23/ What does a player need to do catch a floating disc that two, three, or more players have a chance to catch? What skills put you in a better position to win that battle? Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:51:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-emerald-city-classic/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-emerald-city-classic/ In this feature we've gathered a handful of the many stories from the 2009 edition of the Emerald City Classic. Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:23:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-mock-draft/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-mock-draft/ Fantasy sports comes to Ultimate. We have 10 Open Division owners, 5 Women's Division owners, all drafting the best players out there to make some spectacular teams. Mon, 30 Aug 2009 11:26:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/22/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/22/ We asked our authors to discuss play-calling from a philosophical perspective. What does play-calling mean to your team? Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:42:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/21/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/21/ We were lucky enough to find ten members of Team USA who could answer questions about their specialties. Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:30:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/race-in-ultimate/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/race-in-ultimate/ We ask Downtown Brown, a pick-up team of players of color, discuss race in Ultimate. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:30:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/20/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/20/ You're down 11-7, game to 15. Your defense needs to score four times to tie the game up. How do you manage a comeback? How do you call lines? What do you tell yourself and your players? Tue, 09 Jun 2009 07:30:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/19/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/19/ You've trained, you've watched film, and you know your opponent. Maybe you've been waiting all game, all season, or your entire Ultimate life to take a layout block from that player in a big game. Thu, 28 May 2009 09:16:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/18/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/18/ Like a great football team that can't kick field goals, zone offense can be a weakness that dooms your season. We asked our authors for their thoughts on constructing a zone offense, both from a practice perspective as well as how they think about in-game adjustments. Tue, 12 May 2009 07:07:08 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/17/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/17/ We asked our authors for a look into how they think about their defensive matchups. How do you use your pieces against the other team? Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:6:53 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/college-ultimate-a-review/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/college-ultimate-a-review/ What makes a great College team? Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:11:06 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-womens-college-centex/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-womens-college-centex/ In this feature, we'll take a look at the tournament and the teams in competition at Centex from the persective of the coaches, captains, and players in attendence. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:28:06 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/16/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/16/ We asked our authors what they do in their practices to prepare for sideline situations, and how it changes their on-field tactics. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:19:15 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/youth-playing-limits-debate/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/youth-playing-limits-debate/ Mike Mullen and Adam Simon go back and forth over the topic of Youth Playing Limits. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 09:11:06 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/15/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/15/ We asked our authors to discuss the search for, the value in, and use of role players. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:19:06 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/14/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/14/ In our first Issue of 2009, we wanted to explore one of the first concepts that every players learns: breaking the mark. Modern defenses rely on the mark to limit the available field space for the thrower. Great players can escape those limitations. How do they do it? Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:21:58 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/ http://www.the-huddle.org/ As we close the door on 2008, we present a final word about the year in review, as well as provide our top ten lists. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:09:52 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/13/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/13/ Team defense (poaching, switching, zone) can be hard to teach, which is probably why so few players are really good at these skills. In a search for insight on this topic, we asked our authors what drills and techniques they employ to teach their players to play together on the other side of the disc. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:21:58 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/youth-ultimate/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/youth-ultimate/ Here we present six perspectives on the growth of the Youth Ultimate, and where it might be headed. Tue, 08 Dec 2008 00:01:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/12/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/12/ We asked a group of very successful endzone cutters to describe their habits. Be it pretty, ugly, efficient, patterned or random; a goal is a goal, and only scoring matters. Here is what The Huddle has to say. Hopefully something here helps you catch more goals, and win more games. Tue, 01 Dec 2008 00:01:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/college-development-part-iii/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/college-development-part-iii/ In Part III of our College Development series we focus on tryouts: how do you run the tryout process, what considerations need to be made about the team and your players, and how do you decide who to take and why? Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:01:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/11/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/11/ We've asked our authors for tips on what to do in the middle positions of a flat-stack to maximize your abilities, your's teams offense, or your D. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:11:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/college-development-part-ii/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/college-development-part-ii/ In Part II of our College Development series we focus on fall practices: what drills and skills do you focus on; how do you keep your returners progressing; do you implement your spring system before the winter? Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:25:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2007-open-finals/6-8/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2007-open-finals/6-8/ Here's the second half of last week's feature. Enjoy. Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:48:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/college-development/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/college-development/ In this three-part mini-series, we'll explore aspects of the fall development process, and how you can help your college team improve as much and as quickly as possible. Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:15:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-world-games-preview/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2009-world-games-preview/ With the '09 games just around the corner, we bring a couple of perspectives from the '05 team that was victorious in Germany, and take a brief look ahead at what the winter might bring, pending more information from the UPA. Enjoy. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:37:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2007-open-finals/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2007-open-finals/ We've broken down tower footage point-by-point from last year's Club Open Final, and it gives a great view of the action at a team-wide and downfield cutting angle. Andrew Fleming of Sockeye and Mike Whitaker of Johnny Bravo graciously answered our questions and provided written commentary. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:31:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/conference-1/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/conference-1/ The Huddle breaks the news of Cultimate's planned Conference 1, a shake up of the college division. Stay tuned this week as we get more information on this story. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:54:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-upa-bod-election/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-upa-bod-election/ This week The Huddle is proud to present a very special Feature on the 2008 UPA Board of Directors Election. Tue, 01 Oct 2008 00:20:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/10/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/10/ In this issue of The Huddle we have asked our roster of authors to explore what it takes to get more distance on throws (both hucks and pulls), and some techniques, drills, and exercises players can use to improve their long throws. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 06:58:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/9/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/9/ The most terrifying aspect of captaining or coaching, for many players, is being responsible for deciding who plays, and when. In this issue, we'll discuss the thought processes that go into making these decisions. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:54:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-labor-day-championships/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-labor-day-championships/ Along the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz, California, North America's best teams gather for the strongest regular season tournament of the year. This week we look at both the Open and Women's Divsions. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:16:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-emerald-city-classic/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-emerald-city-classic/ In this feature The Huddle presents a look at the six of the top West Coast teams in attendence this past weekend at the Emerald City Classic, held an hour north of Seattle in Burlington, Washington. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:08:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/8/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/8/ Of the most fundamental skills in Ultimate, throwing definitely tops the list. But close behind is catching. Catching is absolutely vital to playing Ultimate. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:32:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/7/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/7/ In this issue of The Huddle we asked our roster of authors to discuss zone defense. In particular we asked them to describe their favorite zone-the one they feel the most confident in and the one they like the most-and tell us its strengths and weaknesses. Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:15:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-colorado-cup/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-colorado-cup/ Below the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, Colorado, eight top Open teams from around the country gathered for one of the few precursor tournaments to Nationals, the Colorado Cup. Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:17:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/6/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/6/ We have asked our authors to discuss examples of good footwork on the field and what we can do to improve, illustrate who they have seen that demonstrates superior skills in this manner, and show us what may be some telltale signs of poor form. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:08:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/international-ultimate/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/international-ultimate/ International Ultimate is a wide, wide world. In this feature, The Huddle presents a spectrum of authors writing about their countries and how ultimate is played and prospers there. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:08:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-sockeye-invite/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/2008-sockeye-invite/ The 2008 Sockeye Invite was the first major West Coast tournament of the year. We are going to take a look at the different offenses and defenses each team employed; what worked, what didn't; which strategies were successful and why. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:40:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/training-for-ultimate/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/training-for-ultimate/ Everyone player wants to be a better athlete. Many players are going beyond simple workouts and using specialized combinations of workout modalities to increase the gains they see. The authors in this feature have volunteered some of the their time to describe aspects of their training that they find particularly important. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:39:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/5/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/5/ You are in an elimination game against a very strong defensive team, and as the game moves along you find that your offense is having to work extremely hard to throw reset throws. In this situation, how do you get your reset handlers to work more effectively? Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:32:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/4/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/4/ You're locked in on D against a downfield cutter when they plant and head deep. Milliseconds later, the "Up!" call reaches your ears...the deep ball is coming. What should you do? Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:15:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/features/mixed-strategy/ http://www.the-huddle.org/features/mixed-strategy/ In this the first feature from "The Huddle," we've asked authors with experience on the best Mixed teams to weigh in with their thoughts on strategy, game planning, and execution in the Mixed Division. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:15:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/3/ http://www.the-huddle.org/letters/old-school-new-school/ How should your team adjust against a great thrower that is, surprisingly, expanding his repertoire in this game? You are down at halftime, and need to make a defensive decision. (This is the third part of Issue No. 3, with an added article from Gwen Ambler, as well as a Letter From The Editor regarding VY Chow's article "Old School Vs. New School"). Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:00:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/3/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/ How should your team adjust against a great thrower that is, surprisingly, expanding his repertoire in this game? You are down at halftime, and need to make a defensive decision. (This is the second part of Issue No. 3, with 12 more responses from our panel of players). Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:25:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/3/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/3/ How should your team adjust against a great thrower that is, surprisingly, expanding his repertoire in this game? You are down at halftime, and need to make a defensive decision. (This is the first part of Issue No. 3, with 12 more opinions coming out in the full issue on Tuesday, June 3rd). Fri, 30 May 2008 10:55:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/2/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/2/ If you are trying out for a team, or even if you are interested in how captains of various teams approach their tryout process...keep reading. Tue, 20 May 2008 09:25:00 PST http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/1/ http://www.the-huddle.org/issues/1/ Which offense works better into the wind? With a strong downwind? What about a stiff crosswind? What adjustments can you make strategically in either offense in a very strong (sustained 20-mph +) wind? Tue, 06 May 2008 10:15:00 PST