Bogota, and then heading home…

Nearing breaking point of exhaustion. A 4-day tournament, 8,000+ feet above sea level, speaking in a new language, away from home, sleeping 3-5 hours per night…I’m getting tired. The hospitality of my host family has me ready for a day of sight-seeing in Bogota, but for now, just to finish with some Ultimate-related thoughts.

The level of play here is very strong, and is ready to break into the World’s elite. Colombia has no shortage of excellent athletes, and speed/quickness are present on every team. While Colombian teams are unlikely to ever be considered tall, the jumping ability will help make up for this (and when is the last time you were on a ‘tall’ team and really felt like you could use these mismatches effectively? It’s harder than it sounds, since a 1-v-1 without separation (65% completion?) is usually less efficient than at least working for a little separation with your normal offense (at least, I hope this is true for top teams). That 1-v-1 probably gets worse when you go to the well several times.

Skills are there…but are they consistent. After seeing this tournament, I know very well that there are no throws that the Colombians do not have players than can make…but can they make them consistently? You have a long huck, both forehand and backhand, and against a mark. Now, can you hit it consistently enough that you will be more efficient than the other team’s O? Players can make straight, fast, claw-catching moves against a defender…but do they calmly take these catches 88% of the time, or 98%? That difference could be 3 turnovers, and against a top team, those are just as lethal as an opposing 6′5” defender skying for 3 D’s. That consistency will come IF the practices are focused, intense, and driven. Colombia does not have the every-weekend opportunities that some parts of the US do against top competition, and that difference will either be made up in practice, or it won’t. Colombia may be better served in sending single teams (like to Prague) than they would be if they sent a selection-based National team that can’t regularly practice, or at least doesn’t have one dominant system. Es mas importante tener una pagina que la pagina correcta (badly translated: It’s better to be on the same page, rather than the right one.).

Right now, the top three are Japan, US and Canada. Japan boasts a top 7 that might be the best in the world…but are they growing the next generation of talent to replace the Abes, the Masahiros, and the Kichikawas? If not, someone is going to look to move up. The UK, especially Clapham, is working hard (and making serious North American trips) to be that team, and eventually to dethrone the top two). Are European teams (like Sweden and Germany) on a downcycle due to talent, the victims of two straight World’s tournaments held far from Europe, or are these teams being pushed out by more aggressive teams from other parts of the globe? Prague will be interesting, and it remains to be seen how the Colombians will decide to develop. Hears hoping that scarce resources are not dealt solely for glory in Prague…the Colombian Juniors team that went to Devens was a great example of a group that did well internationally, but in a way that grew the game at home. Any advancements that help in Prague will be forgotten if they don’t help grow the Colombian scene.