Your information is safe with us, and will only be used for the purpose of notifying you about Fish events.
What is the point of the tryout process?
Sockeye is trying to form the most competitive team for the 2008 season. Tryouts is a means to that end; we want to take the best 20-some player team that we can possibly form, and holding open tryouts is the best way for us to do that.
What is the tryout schedule?
We start tryouts with the Combine on May 3rd or 4th, pending field availability. This is an open day of Ultimate, and male players of all ages and skill levels attend with the goal of trying out for the team and/or getting involved with some high-level Ultimate. In the past, we've had about 100 players attend. We split into teams, run some initial drills to focus on fundamentals, give some initial instruction on offensive and defensive strategies, and then play a round-robin tournament.
After the Combine, the Personnel Committee makes decisions down to 35 players. Those 35 move on to the second part of the tryout process, where we train and practice together for about a month. We prepare to play a tournament (usually CalStates, in Santa Cruz in early June). We take two teams of 17-18 folks to this tournament, and then make final roster decisions soon afterwards.
How do I sign up?
We need to know who is showing up! If you are interested, submit your information on the form provided on the Sockeye webpage. Not only does this sign you up for the Combine, it also gets you on our list for further information about the spring and for information about other activities like optional track workouts and pre-Combine open high-level pickup. Get us your information today if you are interested! Just showing up on the day of the Combine does not guarantee you a spot. The earlier you sign up, the more information you will get from us.
I want to try out, but I've already told folks that I am interested. Do I still need to sign up?
Yes, please! This helps a lot with administration and organization...even if we probably know you are coming, please fill out the form.
How much does it cost?
To cover Combine costs, we may charge per player for the Combine (Max cost for all-day Ultimate: $3). We will try to keep it free as in past years, but fields are getting more expensive all the time. If you get past the Combine with us, Spring due (covering field and facility costs and tournament fees) will be in the neighborhood of $70-90 for all players. (Returning players pay the same costs...we aren't trying to make money off tryouts, obviously!).
Who makes the roster decisions?
The Personnel Committee is made up of the 4 newly elected captains of the team, plus 2-3 returning players nominated by the '07 team.
If I make the team this year, will I be on the roster for the World Championships in August?
Yes.
How many open spots are there? Is everyone trying out, or are returning players already on?
Everyone tries out every year. We won't know how many 'open spots' there are until we finish sign-ups for the Combine, and no returning spots are 'safe', so there may be more rookies making the team than there are 'open spots'.
What should I do at tryouts? What is the team looking for this year?
In a word, everything. We need throwers, runners, defenders, markers, cutters, and great teammates. Do what you do well, and feel free to ask a PC member (or any returning player) for input or feedback at the Combine. We'll try to give you as much information as we can to help you play your best...but for the most part, we are looking for players that are versatile, aggressive, intelligent and skilled. Show us you are one of those!
Are there other options if I don't make the team for Club Ultimate this year?
Absolutely. We run our tryout process in coordination with Voodoo, an up-and-coming club team based in Seattle that has a two year history of success against the country's best teams. Voodoo captains will be in contact with the tryout list and will attend the Combine, looking to facilitate their own tryouts.
There will also be a third traveling-and-practicing men's team. We will be posting updates regarding this team as we learn more. We will also keep and forward to this team the contact information for Combine participants that indicate they are interested. The more folks playing, the more fun it is for everyone!
There are also several Mixed teams in Seattle, and we hope to work with them to coordinate our tryout process. The best way to get more information is to sign up on our website; we will keep you informed as best we can.
I'm a college player, and my team made it to Nationals. Can I still try out?
Get in touch with us! Sign up, and after your Regionals, let us know if you can't make the Combine. We will work around your schedule and find a way to get the PC to see you play.
I have a wedding (or business trip, or bar mitzvah, etc) to attend on May 3rd and I can't be at the Combine...can I still try out?
Get in touch with us! The PC will decide what you should do. In some cases, playing at an earlier scrimmage or high-level pickup will suffice. It'll be up to the PC...let us know early so we can plan if possible.
I'm a college player, and I don't think I will make the team this year...should I try out?
Yes. Come get some experience playing with and against some of the top players in the region. Get seen, ask some questions, make some plays and make some mistakes...and leave a better player than when you showed up.
