Impulse Tryouts - Being Prepared

At this moment, Impulse is 41 members strong and still growing. What I mean by this is that every single one of you is part of this team's success. Whether this is your first year trying out or you are a 4 year veteran, this is YOUR team. Whether you make the team, play Impulse B, or just come to tryouts and go no further, know this: you will have contributed to our successes (and/or failures).

In an effort to create the most level playing field possible, the coaching staff has developed the following "tryout keys." These are aimed at making sure you are prepared and know what we value/are looking for.

Impulse Tryout Keys

1. Day 1 will focus on drills, skills, and mini-games. This is in an effort to see how fast you can pick up new concepts that you are unfamiliar with. Put your head down, open up your ears, and open your mind to seeing the game in a new way.

2. Day 2 will focus on game situations and decision making. This is in an effort to see if you can take the concepts from day 1 and apply them to the full-field game. We will be looking to see you carry over day 1 tactics to day 2 scrimmages.

3. Play fast. Our tryout structure is built around the idea of minimizing what you have to think about at any given time. We only want you thinking about 1-2 aspects of the game during drills so that you can focus on exerting maximum effort and hitting top speed. Don't be tentative, don't worry about mistakes, don't hold back. (note: this does not mean play out of control).

4. Play smart. We do not want to see you trying to do things that aren't part of your game. At tryouts, we want to see you push yourself to your limits, but not to try and go beyond them - we have the rest of the summer for that (note: we will push you WAY beyond those limits later). We want to know that all of you can recognize your weaknesses and your strengths and that you can use them to succeed on the Ultimate field.

5. Be ready to be tired. We have planned water breaks and rest periods, but when we say go - you gotta GO! Tryouts will be fast-paced and full of action and learning. We intend to pack in at least 10 new Ultimate tactics on Day 1. Also, be prepared to run a mile at the end of Day 1.

6. Be a teammate. You will be playing with players who are from different schools, use different systems, are of different ages, and are at different skill levels. YOU have a responsibility to accept where they are as players and adjust YOUR game to help the TEAM succeed. Push your teammates, cheer for them, help them improve.

What to Bring

1. White AND dark shirts. White is WHITE, not gray. Dark is black, blue, brown, etc.

2. Cleats

3. Running sneakers (for the mile)

4. Water bottle (we will have a water cooler for refills)

Times and Location

6:00-9:00 on Monday, June 6th and Tuesday, June 7th (please submit an excuse via email or writing if you will miss either day)

University of Pittsburgh Athletic Fields (473 Robinson Street Extension)

We wish everyone luck in their tryout for Impulse and we cannot wait to see Pittsburgh's youth go after this championship!

We're bringing it back. We're doing it together. No questions asked. Here we go.