Player Development

Our team philosophy includes being a place for everyone—regardless of how "competitive" you want to be. 

First, we encourage you to participate if you mainly want to have fun and grow athletically and as a person.

Second, we also are a place for you if you additionally desire to develop and compete at a high level (for example, players who can see themselves possibly playing in college and/or at the adult club level in the future). 

Here are the six areas that players can focus on for development. These are also the qualities that coaches use to evaluate and discern player progress.

1. Spirit of the Game, commitment & “teammanship”

2. Athleticism and energy

3. Throwing skill

4. Ability to catch and get open

5. Ability to defend passes and prevent people from getting open

6. Decision-making and knowledge of how to play

Think about where you are and where you want to go next as a player. Since sometimes players wonder what they can do to reach their goals, we want to give some practical action points. As we said above, our team can be a place for you with whatever goals you have.

"I'd like to be a developmental player (for example, play on the JV team)."

1. Throw consistently. Aim for at least once per week or even five to ten minutes multiple times a week.

2. Consider playing in the SLUA recreational summer league.*

3. Play pickup peridodically.*

4. Be active and healthy.

5. Learn the basic rules and watch helpful videos about things you can practice.

6. Invite friends to play ultimate.

"I'd like to be a Varsity-level player or an advanced developmental player."

1. Throw consistently. Aim for at least twice per week or at least five to ten minutes most days.

2. If you’re already a Varsity-level player (or on the cusp), consider trying out for the summer Youth Club Championship (YCC) team. Trying out for the team is like a free advanced clinic. Plus, there will be more spots available this year.

3. Play in the SLUA recreational or competitive summer league.*

4. Consider playing in weekend tournaments.*

5. Play pickup as much as you can.*

6. Run or do other cardio three times per week.

7. Learn almost all of the rules and watch helpful videos about things you can practice.

8. Recruit friends to play ultimate as much as possible.

"I'd like to be an advanced Varsity-level player."

1. Throw consistently. Aim for at least three times per week or even fifteen minutes most days.

2. Try out for the summer Youth Club Championship (YCC) team. Play on it if you make the team.*

3. Play in the SLUA competitive summer league (especially if you don't play on the YCC team). Due to time constraints, you may choose not to do this if you do YCC.*

4. Play in a SLUA fall league (they’re competitive).*

5. Play in weekend tournaments.*

6. Play pickup routinely.

7. Run or do other cardio three times per week, including sprint work.

8. Do strength training that will help you as an ultimate player (leg work especially—consider asking the coaches for ideas).

9. Master the rules and watch helpful videos about things you can practice.

10. Help organize and recruit players for off-season pickup, leagues, and tournaments.

* We’ll send out information about pickup, league, and tournament opportunities.