hammers?

Seems every ultimate blog has an obligatory post about hammers? Here's mine

Anyone know why some people/teams have such revulsion to hammers? I guess it's because lots of people throw them at the wrong time, and it's a harder throw. The problem I see is that people don't see when the hammer is an appropriate throw, and it is a perfect throw in some situations.

I see a high correlation between people that have good hammers and people that play tennis. The service motion for a topspin serve is quite similar to the full motion for a hammer. At least in my experience, that's how it goes. You can have a good hammer without playing tennis, but it sure helps. The slight knee bend, arching the back, the fluid motion, the arm going up, and all of those in sync so the hammer or serve goes up at full extension.

I definitely agree that throwing blades helps with flight path control. I see people throwing hammers that unintentionally double-helix because they can't control the entire throw. They use too much power and not enough control.

I also think hammers, and also other throws could be like medieval siege weapons. Good analogy? Bad analogy? But funny anyway. The elbow-locked-to-your-side flick is like a ballista: can do the job, but takes a while and is underpowered. Getting the arm out a bit more and pivoting is a step up like the catapult. But the real winner is the trebuchet. All the energy in the core is built up as the motion starts and when it all lines up the energy peaks and the huge throw is released. Or rock destroys the castle wall, whichever.

thanks to other blogs

I want to say a note of thanks to other blogs I've read for getting me to think about how to improve my game. I read a lot of archives in the fall and tried to put things into practice. Particular things that helped

Idris's blog - posts on disc flight path control, isolating your throwing motion
Jim Parinella's - posts on decision making, risks, and handler mentality
Oshep's - posts on good pulls, throwing stances, defense
Aussie blogs - keeping me updated on the country I visited for far too short a time
Goody - giving me strategy tips for indoor, and showing me the glory of the blade and hammer
Many others I can't really remember right now

Hah, of course some people I play with would say these are terrible influences because now I throw tons of blades and hammers, and in unconventional situations (more on that later). But there were definitely points in the fall season where I would do something, say throw a flick while moving backwards or to the left, and it would be because of things I practiced from blog post ideas.


Now to those people - write more! I can't read archives all the time!

hiya

Hi, Welcome to my ultimate frisbee blog. I'm sure it will be a possible waste of your time.

I'm gonna use it as a place to write down things that have or haven't worked in ultimate games. Also to write down some of my pet peeves about some tactics in ultimate.

I currently play at a uni in pennsylvania, and have plans to try out for a club team in the spring. I've also played in australia, at world clubs, and two kaimanas.

Leave comments! If you're an experienced player, I'd love to hear your input on what I've said. If you're like me and you're a good player and rapidly learning to play at a higher level (ie, upa clubs), I'd love to have discussions with you.