Match Diesel on Junior Worlds

Match's article on mssui.com - World Class... Teenagers?

Read an excerpt:

Despite the skill level of these players, there has been some controversy associated with the selection criteria. Many tryouts felt that the physical aspect of the tryouts was too intense and that too many participants were chosen because of their ‘coach-able’ abilities. As far as the first concern goes, it is pretty obvious that the scheme of any tryout process is to push everyone to their limits and the 20 or so that hold on the longest can and should earn their spot on the team. Hopefully any of the disgruntled kids toughen up in college, especially if they head to programs that routinely go to Centex, Trouble In Vegas, or Pres Day. A timed mile after a day of competition will seem like a vacation relative to 5 pool play games or 11 games in 3 days.

Please comment below - the article begs for discussion.

Worlds Tryouts - Atlanta

Word on the street is that Ollie Honderd played just as well as his Michigan teammates at Centex. Who else impressed? Who looks like a lock to make the team, and who would you pick? 40 players attended tryouts - some unheralded players seemed to make a splash, like Nick from Florida, while other players didn't quite seem to belong. Let's hear all of this weekend's Worlds chatter.

Post-Junior Worlds West Coast Try-out (Girls)

So, the thread on this last weekend has grown and is quite interesting, but as at least one commenter noticed... there was no discussion of the girls' side. So, for those of you who attended this last weekends' Try-Out, what was the ladies division looking like? Who stood out? Was the try-out completely different than the open division? What elements separated the girls from one another? Who attended that surprised you?
(photo: credit to Jason Mechler from YCC 2007)

Post-Junior Worlds West Coast Try-out

The first weekend of World Try-outs are over and all the hopefuls are on their ways home to Oregon, California and probably a few other states...

After a vigorous weekend of drills, scrimmages, timed mile, and even small group interviews, the players fortunate enough to have been invited leave with a wealth of new ultimate knowledge they will be able to take back to their programs.

For those of you who attended, let us know how you felt it went. What aspects of the try-out were most difficult? What was easiest? What shouldn't have been a part of it and what stood out as essential?

Who do you think should make it after seeing the diversity of talent present? (If only 10 could be picked from the west coast, who should it be?)

Junior World's Try-outs...

Tonight the first batch of emails began to be sent out to the juniors players whom applied for the try-out and a chance to represent their country at the Junior World Championships in Vancouver, BC on August 2nd-9th.

The Junior division will have teams from all over the world, but before our US boys and girls team can get there, the UPA has organized a thorough try-out process that will put the best talent in both Atlanta & Seattle. Tonight up to 80 of the top talent are receiving an email asking them to come attend one of the try-out camps. Players have until February 10th to confirm that they are still interested and able to attend one of the camps on either March 8/9 or 22/23. Then on March 31st, the teams will be announced with up to 20 players per team making it along with 4-6 alternates. After that, the real work begins and the plan can be seen here on the UPA pages.

So, if you're willing to let us know, many out there would be curious what 80 have been invited? And possibly just as interesting, though I know it may be difficult to share, who has not been invited?

Junior Worlds

The Junior National Team Application were due TODAY. If for some reason you're reading this and it is before midnight, you still have a chance, albeit slim, to get your application in.

Who do you know has applied?

With more than 250 players looking to attend, how many will be selected to come try-out in either Seattle on March 8/9 or Atlanta on March 22/23?

How much will the decision be based on the scouting that was done back in Blaine, MN at the 2007 Youth Club Championships?

Will the same number of post-HS players falling in the U-19 category still be picked (6 I believe two years ago)?