Seattle Sockeye

Q: I want to try out. What do I do?

A: Register for Sockeye tryouts by sending an email to info@seattlesockeye.org. The captains will respond to let you know if you’ve been accepted for the Combine or invited to Sockeye tryout practices, and you’ll be put on the list for future emails about optional training and scrimmages throughout the pre-season.

Q: What is the Combine?

A: The Combine is our one-day open tryout tournament. This year, the Combine will be held on March 6th in Monroe, WA at Sky River Park from 10am-5pm. Interested players register to be placed on teams, and then we play one full day of at least 3 games in. The cost is minimal ($10). The Combine is open to all male players looking to play Club Ultimate in the Seattle area as the try-outs are used by Downpour, Sockeye and Voodoo (as well as, occasionally, mixed teams in Seattle). Everyone who plays at the Combine MUST sign a waiver. They will be available at the Combine or by email beforehand. If you do not sign one, you do not play- sorry to be so heavy-handed, but no one should have to risk the liability if you roll your ankle and decide to sue.

Q: Who makes roster decisions for Sockeye?

A: A group of players known as the Personnel Committee make all Sockeye roster decisions. This group usually includes the captains and at least one other player from the previous year’s team. As soon as we know who these people will be, we’ll try to update the website with this information.

Q: How do I get past the Combine? What happens next?

A: The PC will offer practice invites to an undetermined number of players based on Combine performance and potential. If you make it past the Combine, you’ll be given an ‘Agent’, which means one of the PC members will be assigned to communicate with you about practice logistics and feedback about your play. Tryouts will be invited to a tournament in California in early April (attendance at the tournament is not mandatory, but is our best possible way to evaluate players as well as being the most fun part of the process so it is suggested that tryouts attend if they can).

Q: How are cuts made?

A: We are changing our normal system for 2010 because of the timing of the World Club Championships which we will attend in July. This year, cuts will be made on a rolling basis throughout tryouts. Returning players get a free pass until the end of the tryout season, which will be April 26th. At this point, all cuts will be made and announced and the final 2010 team will be constructed. Typically, decisions are announced via personal email with all players having the option of receiving the word by phone instead.

Q: What is the cost?

A: The Combine will cost $10 to cover field/supply costs. Further practices will require dues, which we will try to keep as low as we can for tryouts. These dues must be paid before a player practices, and are not used as a way to fund any Sockeye activities beyond the administrative costs for those practices. Players that attend the tournament will pay for a share of any expenses like team housing and rental cars (the same for all players, and kept as low as possible).

Q: I want to try out, but I will be in the middle of my high-school/college/other sport season and can’t attend all of the practices. Can I still try out?

A: Yes, absolutely. The captains will work with you as best we can to make arrangements where possible. We can’t guarantee a look at or a practice with every player, but we will try to do so as much as possible. Good, early communication is very important (and appreciated!).

Q: I want to try out, but I don’t live in the Seattle area. Do I have a chance?

A: Yes. The PC will consider out-of-area players on a case-by-case basis. We want to build the strongest team possible, and there are important components of brotherhood and mutual hard work that are hard to build without being at practices…but it isn’t impossible, and we encourage any interested players to contact the captains.

Q: I want to try out, but I am not yet 18. Can I play at the Combine?

A: Yes. Absolutely!

You’ll need to register as normal and complete a waiver that needs to be signed by your parents. We’ll need to have that waiver in hand before you start playing. If you make it past the Combine, we’ll want to have a short discussion with your parents to let them know our policies on minors playing for the team. Ultimate is for everyone…but the culture of the game is typically suited to adults, and we want to make sure that you, we, and your parents are all on the same page about what is appropriate for minors on the team. We’ll treat you like an adult, but we are very strict about supervising minors (half of our team teach in the Washington school systems) and attendance at practices or tournaments may require a parental chaperone, case depending.

Q: What should I do to prepare for the Combine?

A: Getting in solid physical shape is the best way to prepare yourself to play injury-free, fast, and aggressive Ultimate. This has never been a problem in the past, but we reserve the right to use our best judgement and remove a player from an obviusly harmful situation if they are not in the necessary physical shape. Please ask us if you think this might be an issue, we’ll give you as honest an assessment as we can. Like we said, this has never been a problem in the past.

Q: How many spots are open?

A: All, except for the 5-6 spots already given to the players on the PC. Tryouts have an equal chance to prove themselves better players than returning Sockeye members. That said, Sockeye players by and large are annually very well-prepared for the new season, so you should be too! We need runners, catchers, defenders and throwers. There is no set group of skills we are looking for. Do what you do best. We will change our team strategies to fit outstanding talents, not ignore talents that don’t fit into our strategies.