AGE-UP Retreat: Day Two

Those in my cabin who had actually been able to sleep until eight, the scheduled wake up time, awoke the second day of the retreat to a chorus of shrieking monkeys outside our cabin. I peeked curiously from the sleeping bag in which I was deeply nestled to catch a glimpse of Tiffany’s wide eyed screeching face in the foggy window and I was left to imagine the sight of the rest of cabin three, in their pajamas, encircling our cabin.

Once everyone had pulled themselves out of bed, rolled up their sleeping bags and made it to our dining room, we loaded our stomachs up with bagels (or in some cases leftover lasagna) for the exercise that lay in wait.But first: our coaching clinic continued by Miyo and Tiffany. The emphasis was “how to teach.”  At the clinics we will be coaching at elementary and middle schools, we will need to be able to teach kids effectively so that they are engaged, improve their ultimate technique, and leave the clinic with a sense of Spirit if the Game and a desire to continue playing. To learn how to accomplish these goals, first and second year AGE-UPers split into five teams to do skits. There were skits of explaining how to open a jar, demonstrating how to do the Macarena, and wrapping up a visit to the zoo. These were based on the important skills of giving a clear and simple explanation, teaching through a visual demonstration, and closing a drill.

The two other teams had a showdown…who could give the best explanation of a dog drill? While the cheers of the audience voted for group five, my group obviously was the real winner because THEY CHEATED!Our practice that day was coached by everyone. Each team from mini the day before was given a drill to teach and lead. We warmed up, threw forehands, threw backhands, focused on catching, played boot (lead by group 4!), and scrimmaged for the first time together with full teams on a full sized field! We concluded our season of workshops with a big AGE-UP!!!, now prepared to spread our energy and love of Ultimate through Seattle. Here we come!