Everything we do is about accuracy. Some professions require more accuracy. However, in every occupation, one needs to be accurate in their facts. How can we apply this concept of accuracy in our game of Ultimate?
The first thing that comes to your mind is throws. Yes, and you are right. Throwing accurating can save your team lots of turnovers and unneccessary layouts.
Accuracy in your cuts. Determine when you are ready and suppose to cut will prevent clogging. Knowing where and when cuts is key to getting free. This is especially important if your team is executing a set play.
Accuracy in calls. Spirit of the Game...
Jokes about accuracy.
At an international convention, a speaker was introduced with great panache. He was said to have made a million dollars in oil in Saudi Arabia. When he got up on stage he made the following corrections; "Firstly, it was not Saudi Arabia, but Nigeria. Secondly, it was not oil but coconuts. Thirdly, it was not a million dollars but it was half a million. Lastly, I did not make it, I lost it.
So moral of the story, get your facts right. :)
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Can we develop a Pawn into a Queen?
Sometimes we must see each player as a gem. Our success is not to get athletic players and make them great. We get players who have the potential and develop them to their fullest potential. They maximise their strength to contribute to the team. Can we see beyond the player's current potential? How do we bridge the gap of each player? Does every player know their current reality? Do they know the desired outcome?
Do you know that you need to know subconsiously what is your REAL target? If your target is to be the best player in Singapore, you will need to dig deeper to find out why you want to be the best player? Is it the respect that you will get? Is it for your self-esteem? Or it is simply the recognition that you have put in the effort?With this subconsicious mindset, you can achieve more. Why get good results? A better job? Better pay? One must understand there is another goal further away from your current desired goal. Look for it can you will be performing at your optimal level.
Do you know that you need to know subconsiously what is your REAL target? If your target is to be the best player in Singapore, you will need to dig deeper to find out why you want to be the best player? Is it the respect that you will get? Is it for your self-esteem? Or it is simply the recognition that you have put in the effort?With this subconsicious mindset, you can achieve more. Why get good results? A better job? Better pay? One must understand there is another goal further away from your current desired goal. Look for it can you will be performing at your optimal level.
Laws for Organisation Greatness (Systems Thinking)
Any team or committee can be considered an organisation. The number in the committee does not really matter, however, 2 people is a little hard, but nevertheless, the people around them will make up a system.
11 Laws of Systems Thinking
1. Today's problems comes from yesterday's solutions - The approach you adopt today will come back to haunt you, be it good or bad.
2. The harder you push, the harder the system pushes back - only one example, and I am still learning
3. Behaviour grows better before it gets worse
4. The easy way out often leads back in - Quick fix (think foreign talent, eating a panadol when suffering from headache, etc)
5. Faster is Slower - think give and go in Ultimate (minus the turnover from rush decisi0n)
6. Cause and effect are not closely related in time and space
7. Small changes can produce big result, but the areas of the highest leverage are often the least obvious - Can you find it in yourself? Your strength? Can we find it as a team or organisation? Can we find it as a couple? Can we find it as a community?
8. You can have the cake and eat it too, but not at once. - Be patience, Rome doesn't take one day to fall.
9. The cure can be worst than the disease. Think of actions that have good intention. Do I need to elaborate on my own example again? Good intentions can turn about and bite. In the end, the cure is worst than the problem that you are trying to solve.
10. There is no blame. I cause my team to lose twice during universal. I also throw and score and win during universal. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has a chance to be the hero. Ronaldo is the hero for the whole season but he miss the penalty.
Lots of changes happen at a very slow rate. Think frog in pot and heat slowly. But the time you know it, the frog is cooked, ready to be eaten. Patterns are hard to see. Improvements are slow. Do not only see urgent problems that requires attention. Sometimes leaving urgent matters as it is can be the best solutions, as time will tell.
11 Laws of Systems Thinking
1. Today's problems comes from yesterday's solutions - The approach you adopt today will come back to haunt you, be it good or bad.
2. The harder you push, the harder the system pushes back - only one example, and I am still learning
3. Behaviour grows better before it gets worse
4. The easy way out often leads back in - Quick fix (think foreign talent, eating a panadol when suffering from headache, etc)
5. Faster is Slower - think give and go in Ultimate (minus the turnover from rush decisi0n)
6. Cause and effect are not closely related in time and space
7. Small changes can produce big result, but the areas of the highest leverage are often the least obvious - Can you find it in yourself? Your strength? Can we find it as a team or organisation? Can we find it as a couple? Can we find it as a community?
8. You can have the cake and eat it too, but not at once. - Be patience, Rome doesn't take one day to fall.
9. The cure can be worst than the disease. Think of actions that have good intention. Do I need to elaborate on my own example again? Good intentions can turn about and bite. In the end, the cure is worst than the problem that you are trying to solve.
10. There is no blame. I cause my team to lose twice during universal. I also throw and score and win during universal. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has a chance to be the hero. Ronaldo is the hero for the whole season but he miss the penalty.
Lots of changes happen at a very slow rate. Think frog in pot and heat slowly. But the time you know it, the frog is cooked, ready to be eaten. Patterns are hard to see. Improvements are slow. Do not only see urgent problems that requires attention. Sometimes leaving urgent matters as it is can be the best solutions, as time will tell.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Chess and Ultimate - What are the teaching points?
Chess is basically a war between two people, but played with the pieces on the board. The chess player is the coach at the sideline and the pieces are the players on the field. It is all about outsmarting your opponents and capitalising on your opponent's mistake.
Rule of the game.
1. Never let your opponent come back when you are leading. The more you are leading, the more motivated your opponents will be when they make the come back. What's worse is when you have field your best players for all the points and they still make the comeback. The worst situation, they win the game when the margin is huge.
2. Always castle and protect your king. The king is the most vulnerable piece on the chess board. But it is also the most important as the loss of the king = to loss of the game. Protect your weakest players and develop them to their potential. Work on their weakness first and the player will transform. Working on their strength does not increase the effectiveness of the player significantly.
3. Never allow yourself to get pin. Even if you get pin, find a way out. Never get trapped. If trapped, make sure you have a plan.
4. Plan 3 moves ahead. Enough said.
5. Control your emotions. Be patient. Wait for your opponent to make mistake. It is all about personality. Always play your game according to your personality. If you are type A, fake fast, cut fast and always yell at the thrower to get the dump. If you are type B, relax, fake convincingly and wait for the dump. Never do the opposite...
6. Setting up your traps! Never make a move that make the trap so obvious. Set it up. Disguise your intentions and distract your opponents. Let them worry about the first threat. When they are busy handling the first threat, execute the second trap and this time, the second one is going to be more deadly. Game over. And remember, once the opponent falls into your trap, do not allow them to come back or they will be more vicious than before. Think about getting the disc all the time, faking your opponent. If you turn the disc over, good luck. You will have to pay.
7. Sacrifice. Pieces are sacrificed to get a bigger gain. Players must be willing to sacrifice for the better of the team. Be it training harder,getting lesser playtime, shouting and encouraging at the sidelines or risking their bodies for a layout D. Make sure your sacrifice is worth a bigger gain or you risk playing on an unequal field. i.e. if you layout D, make sure you get the disc, or your opponent will gain a few yardage while you are still moaning on the ground.
8. Control the middle of the board. Depending on your strategy on in Ultimate, control the key areas is crucial. Hold your force and stop the open side at all cost. In chess, it is a battle of the middle. Make sure you gain control and you will have an easier time during endgame.
9. Invade territory. Patience. Do not push growth or the system will push you back further.
10. Are you offensively aggressive or defensively thristy?
11. Pawn chain is key to control. But the weakest link in the pawn chain is the last one. Lose that pawn and good bye to your chain. Always protect the anchor of your team. Protect your greatest asset especially when this asset is protecting and holding on to the rest.
Enough of talking cock.
Rule of the game.
1. Never let your opponent come back when you are leading. The more you are leading, the more motivated your opponents will be when they make the come back. What's worse is when you have field your best players for all the points and they still make the comeback. The worst situation, they win the game when the margin is huge.
2. Always castle and protect your king. The king is the most vulnerable piece on the chess board. But it is also the most important as the loss of the king = to loss of the game. Protect your weakest players and develop them to their potential. Work on their weakness first and the player will transform. Working on their strength does not increase the effectiveness of the player significantly.
3. Never allow yourself to get pin. Even if you get pin, find a way out. Never get trapped. If trapped, make sure you have a plan.
4. Plan 3 moves ahead. Enough said.
5. Control your emotions. Be patient. Wait for your opponent to make mistake. It is all about personality. Always play your game according to your personality. If you are type A, fake fast, cut fast and always yell at the thrower to get the dump. If you are type B, relax, fake convincingly and wait for the dump. Never do the opposite...
6. Setting up your traps! Never make a move that make the trap so obvious. Set it up. Disguise your intentions and distract your opponents. Let them worry about the first threat. When they are busy handling the first threat, execute the second trap and this time, the second one is going to be more deadly. Game over. And remember, once the opponent falls into your trap, do not allow them to come back or they will be more vicious than before. Think about getting the disc all the time, faking your opponent. If you turn the disc over, good luck. You will have to pay.
7. Sacrifice. Pieces are sacrificed to get a bigger gain. Players must be willing to sacrifice for the better of the team. Be it training harder,getting lesser playtime, shouting and encouraging at the sidelines or risking their bodies for a layout D. Make sure your sacrifice is worth a bigger gain or you risk playing on an unequal field. i.e. if you layout D, make sure you get the disc, or your opponent will gain a few yardage while you are still moaning on the ground.
8. Control the middle of the board. Depending on your strategy on in Ultimate, control the key areas is crucial. Hold your force and stop the open side at all cost. In chess, it is a battle of the middle. Make sure you gain control and you will have an easier time during endgame.
9. Invade territory. Patience. Do not push growth or the system will push you back further.
10. Are you offensively aggressive or defensively thristy?
11. Pawn chain is key to control. But the weakest link in the pawn chain is the last one. Lose that pawn and good bye to your chain. Always protect the anchor of your team. Protect your greatest asset especially when this asset is protecting and holding on to the rest.
Enough of talking cock.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Seeking volunteers to be part of the Ultimate Frisbee coaching system in Singapore
Seeking volunteers to develop the coaching system in UPA (S). You will be in a team to draw up a structure to systematically develop the coaching system in UPA. You may need to liaise and collaborate with external stakeholders such as UPA and WFDF to certify players in Singapore. You might need to organise events such as coaching clinics, beginners clinics or other hat events to promote the game. Through these processes, you will impact more beginners to stay in the sport or encourage more people to pick up the sport.
These are only ideas at the preliminary stage. We will need like-minded people to be part of this team.
Requirements:
1. Passionate in developing Ultimate Frisbee in Singapore
2. Passionate in developing and implementing a systematic approach in UPA(S) coaching system
3. Work beyond one's role as a member in UPA i.e. look beyond developing club system and the development of Ultimate in the long run
4. Passion to develop youths and beginners
5. Passion to develop others so that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to develop more people
If you are keen to be in this project, please drop me a note @ sweenee2002@yahoo.com
These are only ideas at the preliminary stage. We will need like-minded people to be part of this team.
Requirements:
1. Passionate in developing Ultimate Frisbee in Singapore
2. Passionate in developing and implementing a systematic approach in UPA(S) coaching system
3. Work beyond one's role as a member in UPA i.e. look beyond developing club system and the development of Ultimate in the long run
4. Passion to develop youths and beginners
5. Passion to develop others so that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to develop more people
If you are keen to be in this project, please drop me a note @ sweenee2002@yahoo.com
Monday, April 14, 2008
So many things happening to my life right now!!! So exciting
Planning to do Masters in Loughborough University. Suddenly, the masters might become a PhD in Sports Policy and Leisure Management. Research topic is the first of its kind in Singapore. The only detail I can provide is that it is dealing with impact mega sports events had on Singapore.
SSC got back to me with regards to the research and the chief of Sport Marketing is very keen to support this area indicating that it is time someone look into this area to stir up more interest in this area. If I can get funding for the research and hopefully keeping my finger cross, I can get a Ministry's scholarship, then UK here I come! Haha. Can't wait to play for HAZE. Hopefully can create a Shiok.uk :)
Was shortlisted for a national award which I know the chances of getting it is near to 0%. At least I passed the first 2 stages and now I am in the last stage, the most dreadful interview. The date is 9th of May... Hopefully can get, at least can help in my application... sigh. Why don't I study harder when I am younger, no need to slog like siao now...
Shiok is performing so well that it is beyond my expectation. Of course, I would like to say something nasty again but you know I know, no need to put it on loudspeaker. Laughing loudly in my heart and cheering from last weekend's Malaysia Open. My team will know what I mean... Haha. Only half of Shiok travel up to Malaysia and created so much damage... Must really find out the players that Bangkok bring... so strong meh???
I can gladly say that even if I were to leave Shiok for my study, it will continue to blossom and grow. At least I get to be a ringer... no need to train also can play... haha. No lah, I am going to other country to learn from others, internationalisation mah... I see Clive, Anthony, Feng Hao come back from UK become so good. I also want to be better... Hopefully Shiok's coach do not land up in some C team in UK... Damm Malu. In the end, not Shiok.uk. Become Haze.sg!
SSC got back to me with regards to the research and the chief of Sport Marketing is very keen to support this area indicating that it is time someone look into this area to stir up more interest in this area. If I can get funding for the research and hopefully keeping my finger cross, I can get a Ministry's scholarship, then UK here I come! Haha. Can't wait to play for HAZE. Hopefully can create a Shiok.uk :)
Was shortlisted for a national award which I know the chances of getting it is near to 0%. At least I passed the first 2 stages and now I am in the last stage, the most dreadful interview. The date is 9th of May... Hopefully can get, at least can help in my application... sigh. Why don't I study harder when I am younger, no need to slog like siao now...
Shiok is performing so well that it is beyond my expectation. Of course, I would like to say something nasty again but you know I know, no need to put it on loudspeaker. Laughing loudly in my heart and cheering from last weekend's Malaysia Open. My team will know what I mean... Haha. Only half of Shiok travel up to Malaysia and created so much damage... Must really find out the players that Bangkok bring... so strong meh???
I can gladly say that even if I were to leave Shiok for my study, it will continue to blossom and grow. At least I get to be a ringer... no need to train also can play... haha. No lah, I am going to other country to learn from others, internationalisation mah... I see Clive, Anthony, Feng Hao come back from UK become so good. I also want to be better... Hopefully Shiok's coach do not land up in some C team in UK... Damm Malu. In the end, not Shiok.uk. Become Haze.sg!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Shiok as iron fillings (Gets you thinking!)
Imagine each player as iron filling. Scope the iron filling and drop them on a piece of paper. All the iron fillings will be pointing in many different directions. As you put more iron fillings on the paper, the more chaotic the fillings will be. It is really a big mess, with everyone working in different directions.
Imagine passing a magnet over the iron fillings. What happen? They line up and point towards the same direction. It does not have to be the correct direction, but they are definitely in the same direction.
As Shiok expands and more players are joining us, the challenge is to ensure that those that are already in the team are facing the right direction. There is the job of the leaders to ensure we are heading the same direction. However, the more urgent process would be to encourage everyone to be heading towards the same direction. Can every player think, play and behave in similar fashion? Will our club's fabric change due to the demographic of the players?
What is the magnet of the team that can make everyone face the same direction? And I must emphasise, it may not be the correct direction? Is the magnet a person, an event, a bad experience, unknown forces, rivals or it is simply the potential within ourselves waiting to be released?
Imagine passing a magnet over the iron fillings. What happen? They line up and point towards the same direction. It does not have to be the correct direction, but they are definitely in the same direction.
As Shiok expands and more players are joining us, the challenge is to ensure that those that are already in the team are facing the right direction. There is the job of the leaders to ensure we are heading the same direction. However, the more urgent process would be to encourage everyone to be heading towards the same direction. Can every player think, play and behave in similar fashion? Will our club's fabric change due to the demographic of the players?
What is the magnet of the team that can make everyone face the same direction? And I must emphasise, it may not be the correct direction? Is the magnet a person, an event, a bad experience, unknown forces, rivals or it is simply the potential within ourselves waiting to be released?
Can Shiok eventually be like Buzz Bullets?
All you need to get team strategy and skills. Can Shiok like Buzz Bullets? Can we play attractive passing game with structure and 100% offensive conversation? Do we need the long game compare to other teams? There is no right or wrong strategy. It is about training your players to their maximum potential and having each and everyone working for the team. There is no 'i' in the team might sound cliche. But there shouldn't be a star in the team. Not if every player in the team is a star player...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qEgGgAIGNs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyHi2-8ZWnk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft2xYagC7as&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qEgGgAIGNs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyHi2-8ZWnk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft2xYagC7as&feature=related
Friday, April 4, 2008
The five minds for the future
Was reading this book for the whole week. Really learn alot about the minds people should develop in the future from Howard Gardner from Harvard University. I think the concepts can be applied in the education system, adult lifelong learning and even Ultimate. Strangely enough, all the books which I had read could be linked to Ultimate.
Knowing the skills and understanding how to run is not sufficient in this evolving and emerging sport. Who can't throw a decent backhand? Players who are naturally talented and posses a gift of athleticism could easily get free and make an impact in the game. This is the very fundamental aspect of the game which is the level most clubs are functioning at now. To be even better than the opponents, it is useless training week in week out. You got to work harder than the opponent. If they train twice a week, you go 3 times and 3 times harder. However, I am not an advocate of hard training and getting all the players injured. I believe in smart training, synthesizing drills and strategies from multiple sports and at the end, create new knowledge in Ultimate.
Practice make perfect. But only CORRECT practice make one perfect. You can be practising that low release breakmark forehand every training. You can do the throw so well at the sideline that you imagine yourself unstoppable. My point is that you will know whether what you had practice week in week out is applicable in the game when you, YES, execute it in a game! So the only solution is to play more and try it.
If you have been doing the throws or cut which you had learnt 5 years ago, and still doing it now, I suggest you change. Humans are really good at imitating. So model a good player and you will find yourself improving significantly. Change your mindset about how you view the game. Challenge conventional set play. Also ask why. Players never ask why and they assume that whatever that idiot who is shouting at me every training is right. That is not true. In every strategy, there is a loophole. There are weaknesses to be exploited. It is the same as your life. If you are strong in this area, say art you cannot be equally strong in other aspect. This is so true especially if you spend so much time practicing one area.
My challenge to whoever is reading this. Can you create new information? Can you develop another strategy in Ultimate? Can you change your mindset about strategy, the way people move, the way people throw, the sideline calls, the fitness element, the development of new players, the approach to develop veterans? Can you make crusty veterans improve and develop another level of their game? Can you make the worst player (btw, this is an analogy) improve on his/her weakness so that he/she can contribute to the team? Can you make a team mate who is low in confidence pick up the disc and say bring it on.
Can you transform people mindset that Ultimate is not playing week in week out? It is a greater calling. Do you know your role as an individual in a system?
Do you know how to create team synergy? Do you know how to create sustainability in your organisation? Do you know and find out why people why to join your club? Do you know why we have 30 people having dinner for team celebration, and half the team is not even present. Do you believe in miracle? Do you ...
Knowing the skills and understanding how to run is not sufficient in this evolving and emerging sport. Who can't throw a decent backhand? Players who are naturally talented and posses a gift of athleticism could easily get free and make an impact in the game. This is the very fundamental aspect of the game which is the level most clubs are functioning at now. To be even better than the opponents, it is useless training week in week out. You got to work harder than the opponent. If they train twice a week, you go 3 times and 3 times harder. However, I am not an advocate of hard training and getting all the players injured. I believe in smart training, synthesizing drills and strategies from multiple sports and at the end, create new knowledge in Ultimate.
Practice make perfect. But only CORRECT practice make one perfect. You can be practising that low release breakmark forehand every training. You can do the throw so well at the sideline that you imagine yourself unstoppable. My point is that you will know whether what you had practice week in week out is applicable in the game when you, YES, execute it in a game! So the only solution is to play more and try it.
If you have been doing the throws or cut which you had learnt 5 years ago, and still doing it now, I suggest you change. Humans are really good at imitating. So model a good player and you will find yourself improving significantly. Change your mindset about how you view the game. Challenge conventional set play. Also ask why. Players never ask why and they assume that whatever that idiot who is shouting at me every training is right. That is not true. In every strategy, there is a loophole. There are weaknesses to be exploited. It is the same as your life. If you are strong in this area, say art you cannot be equally strong in other aspect. This is so true especially if you spend so much time practicing one area.
My challenge to whoever is reading this. Can you create new information? Can you develop another strategy in Ultimate? Can you change your mindset about strategy, the way people move, the way people throw, the sideline calls, the fitness element, the development of new players, the approach to develop veterans? Can you make crusty veterans improve and develop another level of their game? Can you make the worst player (btw, this is an analogy) improve on his/her weakness so that he/she can contribute to the team? Can you make a team mate who is low in confidence pick up the disc and say bring it on.
Can you transform people mindset that Ultimate is not playing week in week out? It is a greater calling. Do you know your role as an individual in a system?
Do you know how to create team synergy? Do you know how to create sustainability in your organisation? Do you know and find out why people why to join your club? Do you know why we have 30 people having dinner for team celebration, and half the team is not even present. Do you believe in miracle? Do you ...
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Volunteer for the Youth OIympic Games
Hi,
I have officially sign up to be a volunteer for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Hopefully, I can sit in some committee and contribute to the success of this games. I believe this is one in a life time experience. Hopefully, it can build up my portfolio for my studies in UK in two years time. 2012 is London Olympics! Even better!
Of course, I will never forget getting Ultimate in the view of the YOG committee.
Loughborough Here I COME!
I have officially sign up to be a volunteer for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Hopefully, I can sit in some committee and contribute to the success of this games. I believe this is one in a life time experience. Hopefully, it can build up my portfolio for my studies in UK in two years time. 2012 is London Olympics! Even better!
Of course, I will never forget getting Ultimate in the view of the YOG committee.
Loughborough Here I COME!
Bali Celebration Dinner Tomorrow
I am looking forward to a great turn out and dinner for tmw's Bali celebration.
Keep up the intensity and play hard.
Keep up the intensity and play hard.
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