BPL Players - mid receiver

Third instalment of the BPL players segment - check our Reece and Finn in previous posts. This week, we have Chris 'Spesh' Davis on the line. Although he's one of the fittest guys running around Ultimate, he works at 110% whenever the disc is around. He's my pick for one of the hardest running mid-receivers, chasing (and often laying out) for anything that even smells like a disc. Also, he wins the award for best advice for a male ultimate player in this segment - see last sentence. 

Ads: When did you start to realise that your strength was developing as a receiver? What else where you working on when figured that out?

I first started playing ultimate in my first year of uni (although not because of O-Week or girls) while still playing footy, athletics, swimming & triathlon.  The latter three have since fallen by the wayside, but I have always been attracted to things with a sense of physical accomplishment.  Ultimate was no different.  I rocked up to my first game having NEVER thrown a disc and relied on 80 minutes of run both on O & D.  Having no disc skills there wasn't much point me sitting behind the disc; but rather there it is, go chase it.  Ever since the early days I have always known that my disc skills need to improve, however I have always had a higher endeavour to improve my cutting efficiency, timing and sharpness of turns.

Ads: Anybody in Ultimate inspired you to work at running at the disc so hard?

A lot of the work ethic has been driven from years and years of football.  If you don't run hard at the ball your opponent will either knock you off the contest or beat you to the ball.  Naturally I approached ultimate the same way.  Knowing the disc won't randomly decide to change direction 90 degrees and waste your run gives me real confidence to back myself in no matter what.  In the early days back in Adelaide Matt Ward (read, early days :-)) & Rian Dutch led the way on offense and taught me a lot of what I know.  I also knew the feeling of laying out past someone for a big D and knew that that wasn't something which I want to happen to me.  On a wider scale all of the Asian teams I have ever seen (either online or in person), know they can't win with height so they do it on the ground, through speed, agility and a desire to get the disc.  These are the games I love the most, a real fast, man O & D dogfight.

Ads: If you think about some of the general characteristics of some of the best receivers or their game, what are the similarities?

To be the best, you have to know you're the best.  The top receivers know they are the key target and demand the disc.  They will get themselves in the right position through skill & timing, or they will force their way into a good position through voice and gut running.  This isn't to say they don't work in with team structures, but after the initial 3 cuts, they will continue to be anywhere and everywhere on the field.  A lot of this, as I mentioned comes through timing and an ability to read the play.  They can see cuts developing three or four passes in advance and get themselves to the right position to receive accordingly.  There are plenty of receivers who don't look overly quick or athletic but have an ability to get the disc through their read of the play.  They all also have a great read on the disc once it's in the air, clean hands and some solid throws to back it all up.

Ads: Who in BPL makes it bloody hard to get the disc when they’re on defense and picked you up?

It probably fits with him being labelled one of the best defenders, but Finn is bloody tough.  He is quick off the mark, the right amount of aggressive and won't ever drift in and out of the game.  Finn will also be a brutal matchup for you when you cut deep because he has a bit more size than people give him credit for.  Cola is equally agile and tops it off with a tough mark when you do get the disc.  It's the players who remain switched on for the whole game are the toughest.  Likewise, players who allow you an easy cut somewhere (open side, deep for example) are the ones which can be easily exploited with a bit of footwork and change of angle.

Ads: Who are some of the players you love receiving the disc from – those people who can make your cuts the most effective?

Pretty much anyone who throws the disc in my direction.  There is nothing more heartbreaking than making a good cut only to get looked off for a 40/60 deep option.  I think this is where new players can often get down on themselves also and often is what takes away the enthusiasm and hard run of your downfield receivers.  My mate in Adelaide Sean Lace was one of my favourites; not only did he give you the disc almost every time, but he also followed it up with an enthusiastic run to get the dishy back from you.  If I can gain ground I will give the dishy every time, doesn't bother me if I don't throw forwards all game.  As for Queensland; JMac can hit you pretty much wherever you run (provided he's actually on field and not injured).  Coops is another who will always give you the under.  No matter what the stall count, he'll keep his peripheral and can see you streaking towards him even if he's targeting elsewhere on the field.

Ads: Who are some of the other BPL players who would rate as fantastic mid field receivers? Any younger players that you can see doing well in the future?

If he decided to specialise Jangles would be pretty handy, especially given he has some throws once he gets the disc in hand.  Beans is probably the player I see most similar to myself, willing to hit the deck and doesn't mind playing with a bit of physicality when attacking a disc or making a turn on your cut.  Dan Mammel and George are also notable mentions.  As for the up and comers, keep your eye on Craig Behrendorfffffff.  He has the speed and is starting to develop the game reading ability required to reach the next step.  He just has to take out a careless drop or two ;-)  There is also one or two of the Lovers boys who I have no idea on their names who could end up quite handy, they're pacy and know their limits (well, they do at the moment, let's reevaluate when they get some more disc skills!)

Ads: Any advice to some of the less experienced guys trying to develop as a great receiver?

If you ever find yourself out of position or don't get the disc after two or three repeated cuts, reset yourself short & in the middle of the field.  Take a pass or two to re-evaluate the situation and begin again.  Receiving the disc is 90% timing and this is crucially important.  Also do not underestimate both sides of the field.  Just because your defender is standing on the open side of the field, work them, make them turn their head and get yourself open for an easy catch.  If that doesn't come off, utilise the breakside where your thrower can have a wide space to hit you in.  Finally, never EVER give up on a disc.  Wind can do funny things, as can a pack of players.  Even when the disc is looking like hitting the ground and you're still 5-10 metres away, give the layout a shot.  You can get a lot closer than you probably imagine.  Don't think about the ground, the defender, the graze you're gonna take home to your mum; think about the disc.  Ultimately if you make that catch, scores of women will love you forever, because we all know chicks dig layout burns.