We didn’t have a game until 12:30 on Sunday afternoon, which was a bit odd. Usually we have to wake up before the sun and get to the fields before our 8am game. But with the unusual starting time, we didn’t know what to do with ourselves in the morning. Most of us were exhausted from the day before and went to sleep around 10:30, so even though we are college students, waking up at 9 didn’t seem so bad.
After getting breakfast (breakfast burrito at Whole Foods=$7/pound, Kyle and Kenny got $10 burritos- not the smartest choice as we later learned) many of us watched the Hellions play. They went 4-0 on the first day and had to play at 8am. We went 1-4 and our first game was at 12:30. I think there is a lesson somewhere in there and they can learn a thing or 2 from us (they did finish 2nd though, which is very good).
It turned out to be a great weekend for Ultimate in San Diego as the Ghettobirds played the last tournament of the fall at UCSD.
We played our first game against Arizona-B at the bright and early time of 8am, and we got off to a blistering start. We took the first 4 points, which were highlighted by a sick Callahan from Kyle. As an Arizona player dumped the disc in his own endzone, Kyle came storming in from out of nowhere to catch it centimeters off the ground for the score! Brian Ball also had a nice deep forehand to Jas for a score. However, Arizona came back and we held a slim 6-5 lead at half. But after halftime, we came out with the energy we displayed in the first few points and won handily 11-7. It was the first time in a while that the Ghettobirds had won the first game of the day!
Sometimes when things aren’t going right, it helps to have a parent or two around to get things back on the right track.
That was the case on November 7, as the USC men’s ultimate team looked lost in two early defeats to San Diego State’s T and J teams. But during the bye game, Ethan Thompson’s parents came through in the clutch and delivered the motivation that the Ghettobirds lacked: orange slices and subway sandwiches.
The USC men’s ultimate frisbee team recently played in the Irvine Huckfest over Halloween weekend.
This was the first tournament that the Ghettobirds brought rookies to and they didn’t disappoint. In fact, this was the first tournament in memory in which the Ghettobirds brought 2 teams because of the high numbers that have expressed interest in playing for USC! This was great news, and while it meant less subs for each team, it also meant more playing time, which is all you can ask for in the fall. [Read more →]
We’re making great progress at our practices. We can get even better if we start thinking and learning more about ultimate outside of practice. Luckily, there are a number of resources online that can help. One very useful site is The Huddle, an online magazine written by some of the best players in the country. They have 25 issues up currently, all of which go into a lot more detail than what we’ve covered so far. The Huddle also has an annotated video up of the 2007 UPA Club finals (Seattle Sockeye vs. Boulder Johnny Bravo). Watch a few points or all of them, and be sure to read what the players have written. While you’re watching, try to look for some of things we have talked about in practice. [Read more →]
It was a solid weekend for the Ghettobirds and we traveled down to Long Beach to play in Club Sectionals. Despite the fact that many of the players we played against were older, at the end of their season (read: in shape), and more experienced, we were able to move the disk and play some shutdown defense as we looked much better this weekend than we ever have at the start of a season.
The first game Saturday was a brutal one, as we drew the eventual champions, Strike Slip, which featured USC coach ATM- so they had some inside knowledge on how we run our team. It was a tough game, as Ghetto lost 11-1, but we did manage to put on an effective zone defense that even the most experienced players said they had trouble reading and breaking. Sophomore Alan Hsieh pulled down the lone score for Das Bird in the game. [Read more →]
Great first practice last night returners and new players. Here’s some nicely cut together ultimate clips to tide you over until the next practice. Enjoy!
The Ghettobirds will be having our first practice of the season tonight (Monday) at 7pm at Cromwell. Meet there and we’ll head on over to the IM Field from 7:30-9:30. Bring cleats, water and a WHITE and DARK shirt. Hope to see you guys there!
We had planned on our first practice for Thursday, 9/3. We just got word, however, that we are able to practice next Monday, 8/31, during our regular time.
While we take the field at 7:30 Mondays and Thursdays, we will be meeting at 7:00 on both nights on the Cromwell in order to warm up before we get the fields. Be sure to bring your running shoes as we will be warming up on the track.
UPDATE: the first week’s practices (Monday and Thursday) will be for returners only. Our first open practice, for both returners and new players, will be on Monday, 9/14 at 7:00.
First, on Wednesday from 11 am-2 pm we have the involvement fair on Trousdale. Come out, wear your USC ultimate gear, and help recruit. If you’re new and interested in playing with us this year, stop by and check us out. We’ll be signing people up for our mailing list and the IM league.
This Thursday we have our first team meeting of the year from 6:30-7:30 pm in VKC 102. We’ll be talking with new people about what the team and sport are all about, and about the upcoming IM league. We’ll also have a discussion for returners about the team this year.
Plan on attending both events this week, especially the meeting on Thursday. See you all there.
