I have very strong feelings when it comes to the Spirit of the Game vs. Competitive Nature conversation in Ultimate, especially in recreational leagues. I’ve taken part in the same conversation dozens on times, whether with teammates or opponents, friends or strangers, in-person or online (a very common Reddit discussion topic).
My past impulse was usually to enter a multiple-hundred-word tirade against those ultra-competitive players that injure some people and anger others in their quest for temporary glory, and my argument normally falls unheard upon their deaf ears. If anything, my argument is mostly for myself; to convince myself that I don’t have to abandon my spirited nature to be successful in this sport.
I don’t have that impulse anymore, as this past weekend has affirmed my argument for myself, and maybe for others as well.
Teams Red State (red) and The Royal We (blue)
In the finale of the Portland Ultimate Spring League tournament, the two remaining teams shared much in common; most importantly: spirit. Red State and The Royal We tied to win the Most Spirited Team award during the course of the multi-month league, and then found themselves playing each other in the championship of the final tournament.
My team, The Royal We, were seeded 9th coming in, and Red State even lower. I doubt anyone outside the two teams ever expected either team to make it to the finals, and for good reason: both teams had average/below-average regular seasons on the scoreboard.
From inside our huddle, however, this came at no surprise at all.
At the start of the season, when this random group of players came together, the two captains that drafted us were very clear in their intentions for the season: “We drafted for spirit”. Winning was never high on our list. Instead of talking strategy and field adjustments on the sidelines, we drafted parody songs to fit the opposing team’s name. Instead of calling lines, we used a pseudo-Rochambeau game on the line to decide handlers/cutters. Halfway through the season, our only goal was to try and end with a completely even record, e.g. 6-6-6.
Half way through the season, we were informed that we were in the top four in spirit scores in the league. This was amazing news, as we worked really hard in our own time to contribute to our team’s spirit presence, whether on the field, off the field, or in the spirit game after each match. At the end of the season, we were informed that we were in the top three of the spirit scores, and that the three other teams in the running at the half-way point were no longer in the running. That means that The Royal We had been one of the most spirited teams the entire season, and were the only ones to accomplish that measurable.
If you paid close attention, you could see the talent we had hidden beneath the surface. Some of our better players had injuries during the season, others played it cool on the field while focusing on sideline drinks and royal attire. Our captains would remind us of our skill most every week, however, and slowly we looked forward to the tournament and introduced a simple zone and line calling in the last couple weeks.
Then the tournament came about. We rolled into the park with our crowns on our heads. We did our first warm-up drill of the season, and then we were off. We won the first game by a single point, and were treated to what had to have been the best spirit game of our season. I’ll let the following pictures do the talking for me.
We played game number two against the number one seed. We beat them by two.
With two games down, and a possibility of two more to come, we were informed that we had split the Spirit Award with Red State, and the team erupted with glee. I think that award was always our goal. We took our time to enjoy the moment and apply some new spray-painted swag, and in the frenzy of winning the award, we checked over our shoulders to notice that Red State was playing a couple fields down, still alive in the tournament.
“Wouldn’t it be awesome if the two Spirit Award winners played each other in the finals?”
Game three pitted us against another really good team, and we won by two points. Lo and behold, who do we see sauntering over to the championship field to join us but our bold, brave, American spirit co-winners. The winning team would be taking home both the Spring League Championship and the Spirit Award.
Pre-game massage train.
It had been a long, hot day for both teams, but the game that was put on for the ~150 person crowd was a great one. We opened with four straight breaks, only to find Red State hold and break for three of their own for the 4-4 tie. A slight breeze and tight zones from both teams made for long points. The game would end with We scoring to avoid a universe point. The tournament was won.
I’m proud to say that we didn’t abandon our spirited ways on tournament day. If anything, our cheers got better. We even adapted a pre-game ritual of dancing with the opposition to “The Circle of Life”, which created our best moment as a team: one-hand lifting our teammate to the skies as the song climaxed (pictured first in this post).
So I sit here now, a few days after the tournament, and my inner Ultimate player is content. Not just for winning my first tournament, or because I’ve made some amazing new friends, but because I know that I can play this sport the way I want to: avoiding dangerous plays, even if I give away a chance to benefit the team; playing with my opponents instead of just against them; leaving the pressures of winning at home and focusing on enjoying my teammates. Multiple teammates concurred that we felt no pressure during any of the games, despite the close, competitive nature of them.
Sure, this has been just one singular experience, and yes, it was “just Spring League”. Maybe this story won’t change anyone’s mind about putting winning before all else. Yes, the conversation about spirit vs. competitive natures will continue for a long time in this sport.
But not for me. My view has been affirmed.
All photos credited to Flatball Photography. Like on Facebook for more stellar pictures.
Not A Handler 