Jaidip: As a club team coach in India I've often used the words 'if you're on the side-line there are loads of things you can do, probably 100!'. As I too often saw players standing around, checking their phones or anything else unrelated to what was happening on the field, it puzzled me.
I asked Mehr to collaborate with me on a list of things and she more than succeeded in doing so. Enjoy!
Take stats
Fill water bottles
Make energy drinks
Create notes for player feedback
Setup cones on the field
Keep score
8th player on defence
Clean up the field of hazardous objects
Film individual players
Film the whole game
Do game commentary
Practice basic throws (forehands, backhands, 6 point releases)
Practice fancy throws (Hammers, scoobers)
Practice useless but fun throws (Chicken wings!)
Teach throws to new players
Coach the team
Distribute bibs to substitutes
Manage practice logistics - field booking
Manage practice logistics - fee collection
Manage tournament logistics - accommodation
Manage tournament logistics - Food/ snacks/ drinks
Do body strengthening/ personal workout
Help other injured players in recovery
Massages!!!
Collect stray discs from out of bounds
Help carry injured players off the field
Mentor new players
Plan the next drill
Watch out for spectators (and dogs) breaching the playing field
Play with a dog
Build team strategy based on game play
Study other team strategies
Scout other team players
Wave the team flag
Lead warmup
Lead cool down
Give free hugs!
Keep time
Setup spikeball
Play spikeball!
Organise spirit games
Get to know teammates
Encourage demotivated players
Clean bibs for next practice
Clean discs for next practice
Clean cones for next practice
Sing a song
Watch for spirit violations
Check for team offside
Check if opponents are offside
Be a game advisor
Study the rules of Ultimate
Guard valuables and belongings of players (especially from rogue squirrels)
Study decision diagrams
Study spirit examples sheet
Play fantasy Ultimate!
Play disc golf
Play double disc court
Be the team DJ
Capture cool moments on camera
Make team cheers
Do team cheers!
Quiz players on rules
Echo calls
Pester the coaches for individual feedback
Make weekly goals
Stalk and closely observe players you want to learn from
Run the team social media
Publicize ultimate on personal social media
Be the team mascot
Make caricatures of your team mates
Make a blog post of things a sideline player can do
Plan a team outing
Plan a practice match with another team
Plan a practice camp
Build relationships with opposing teams and players
Spread good vibes - keep up the team’s morale
Meditate
Offer perspective on calls
Clear the area when the disc is on the sideline
Make sure that the playing field lines are visible during a tournament
Hydrate
Keep others hydrated
Plan inspirational speech for team huddle
Practice throwing stance
Practice throwing yourself on the ground for layouts
Practice grabs
Do shopping - buy discs/ gloves/ jerseys
Make spirit gifts
Fall in love with a teammate
Explain ultimate to bystanders
Tell all your team’s woes and joys to the one UPAI member in the vicinity
Give everyone a hose-pipe bath on a hot day and offer jackets on a cold day
Look for sponsors/ funding opportunities
Come up with team jersey/ logo/ sticker designs
Take gender specific stats to understand gender differences in the team
Ensure the team uses hand signals during calls
Make notes on how well/ badly teammates are resolving calls
Switch on lights when it gets dark
Fool around
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