Poll Thursday - More cost analysis

My last poll, earlier this month on Dec. 6th, was a question on how much you spend on an Ultimate season. About 7 of us are in the +3000$ range, and everyone else seems to be in the 1000-3000 dollar range.

Today's poll is what is the majority cost that makes Ultimate expensive (poll left).

PJ

Happy Holidays

Hey Folks,

Just wanted to say happy holidays. We're experiencing a nice white Christmas, and I hope everyone else is doing well.

Peter

Gone Fishing - Japan

Currently, I'm in Japan attending a conference. I'll be reporting on my trip instead of Ultimate posts here. I'll get back to Ultimate in a few weeks.

Pictured Above: Jeff Lindquist making a catch against a Van Buren Boy at UPA Championships'08.

PJ

Poll Thursday - Ultimate Cost

I'm finished with questions about indoor, and last week was the final poll on that topic. People report that their indoor season is worse than the outdoor season. That's probably because many of us take time off in the winter from Ultimate.

This week, the question is how much does it cost for a year of Ultimate (poll to the right). Costs include travel, accommodation, fees, equipment, etc. They do not include lost opportunity costs.

I'll start with the big question of overall cost, and then break the cost down over the following weeks.

PJ

The ?New? Layout

I have no fear of laying out, but for me, the layout usually hurts. I've asked goalies how they learn to make those high layouts, and so far I haven't gotten any good tips from them.

RSD has an old thread about the topic:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.sport.disc/browse_frm/thread/ec85af727cd18710/8e5320db17a5d87b?hl=en#8e5320db17a5d87b

Maybe the martial artists are the guys to talk to. This dive roll has potential, but you have to imagine potentially catching the disc too.



PJ

Video Games - more reasons

I push the use of video games for all sorts of reasons. Just to review some of my reasons why video games are great for sports:

• Great for practicing decision making
• Low impact and never get tired (maybe your thumbs)
  
• Practice teamwork
  
• Visual space practice
• Improves reaction time
  

My latest idea is that the game Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is a great agility and footwork trainer that is more fun than most agility training.

For those of you who aren't in the know, DDR is a rhythm matching game where you dance to the beat (by pressing on squares on the dance pad) at a specified rate and sequence. The game is fun and challenging with a variety of different modes and music for all levels and tastes.

It turns out that DDR is very similar to ladder agility drills except that you're not moving forward. In addition, DDR requires both memorization and reaction, which are both simple skills to practice. In other words, you've got a home training system that disguises itself as a game.

I, personally, haven't had my pads out for a while. This is, mainly, due to how loud it is on a second floor living room with wooden floors. Some day I'll have my pads back out, and I'll be following the paths of the many who use DDR as an exercise program. Consider this as another training option as silly as it sounds.

PJ