The Craven Captains
September 14, 2007 8:45 AM
Pecari <s>Tryouts</s> Bootcamp. Walk-ons "welcome" by The Craven Captains
As usual, more people had signed up than the team could take. It just showed the Pecaris were mad about sport, and this year the Cravens were going to convert that into an all out win. The first test had already begun, as - at quarter to eight on a Saturday morning - the twins were already out on the pitch. Tryouts began at 8 o'clock sharp. Whilst they held little regard for the importance of things like punctuality and deadlines for classes, the chances of anyone who showed up late were going to be severely damaged. Anyone who couldn't get themselves up for tryouts clearly lacked dedication. Especially when you could use magic to set all kinds of anti-lie-in measures on yourself (as Ash's usually gelled, but today damp and dishevelled hair attested). Contractually, they were also obliged to welcome walk-ons, but how welcome anyone was going to be who hadn't bothered to make the minimal effort of writing their name onto a piece of paper remained to be seen. The chances were they would have to work twice as hard to prove themselves half as good."There's lots of skills needed to make you a good Quidditch player," Sorrel began, once the players had assembled. Not so much as a 'good morning' or 'sorry to drag you out so early'. They weren't sorry. If people didn't like it, they weren't team material.
"But it can be divided into four main categories we want to see from you today."
"Dedication,"
"Agility,"
"Ability,"
"And endurance. You've shown something towards the first by making it out for this time, well done," Ash nodded, figuring that a little praise here and there was due. You had to have a team feel happy and valued, otherwise they weren't going to put in the work.
"We're going to be doing a range of agility and ability tests throughout the day. Yes, you heard me correctly,"
"throughout the day," Ash echoed. "That's where the endurance comes in. A match could last for days. It's no good having someone who can blaze it, but burns out after five minutes."
"You'll get a mid-morning, mid-afternoon and a lunch break, but the rest of the day's going to be full-on. Take a warm up session - whatever you feel's most relevant to you and the positions you're trying out for. If you want to do practice passes, ask one of us, if no one else wants to do them with you."
"We'll blow a whistle when it's time to come down, and then we'll set you your first exercise of the day. We know this is a big ask, but Quidditch is tough, and we need to know who's got it."
"If you don't like it, and don't want to be involved, you can walk away now."
"Are there any questions?" Ash asked. If not, it was straight into the air to warm up.
OOC - ok, I want to see warm-up posts people! Whilst bored at work tonight and having cheesy music forcibly pumped into my ears, I will be preserving my sanity by devising the full schedule for these try-outs. It will be published tomorrow, so you know what you're getting yourselves into. Broadly speaking, there are going to be writing challenges for each of the categories the twins listed, and there will be deadlines for each. I'm testing your ability in writing and to post promptly. I know I'm not one to talk, but with the tight Quidditch schedule this year, it's going to be vital, and I'm promising that I'll be on the ball as captain, therefore I need to see that back from you. I, unlike the Cravens, really am sorry to be being so militant. They seem to have spilt over and are brainwashing me with their crazed enthusiasm. Walk-ons are more welcome from me, and I will give you a fairer shot OOC than their attitude will be IC.
Subthreads: Warming up by Saul Pierce, Pecari Chaser with Meredith Lail, Irene, Caedence
*salutes* Yes, Captains! by Elly Eriksson with Caedence Redoak, Elly
Reporting with Fido by Stephen Baxter
Go time! by Irene
[OOC - The Plan] by The Twins with The Craven Twins, The Cravens, Elly
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The Craven Captains
Pecari <s>Tryouts</s> Bootcamp. Walk-ons "welcome"
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The Craven Captains
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Saul Pierce
September 20, 2007 10:50 AM
I will follow Elly's lead and be . . . a pineapple by Saul Pierce
Saul was still huffing a puffing a bit from his running lap (perhaps after a summer long road trip was not the best time for an endurance test after all) while the twins explained their next task. It sounded easy enough and his aim was pretty good, so he was sure he'd do just fine for this part of the try-out.It was good that his hands came up and automatically caught the Quaffle tossed right at him because he wasn't expecting to be named to go first. "Aye, aye, captains," he grinned at them and flew up toward the ribbon. He had four shots for seven baskets. He took a moment to look over his choices.
He picked a medium sized hoop about ten feet away and above the shooting line as his first one. It wasn't the hardest one of the exercise, but Saul was going for chaser so he thought he should try one that was at least a little challenging. He tossed the red ball and it dropped through, no rim. Saul grinned, pleased, the flew over to it to fetch the ball from inside the wicker tub.
Flying back up to the ribbon he picked out his second choice. It was the same size as his first choice and at about the same altitude, but this one was more than twice as far away. Saul eyed the distance, hefted the Quaffle, and gave it a go. It bounced of the edge of the basket's rim and didn't go in.
Saul dove and caught the ball before it hit the ground and went back to the same spot as before. For try number three, he picked the same basket as last time and adjusted his aim just a little bit. This time it dropped in after hitting the far rim. Letting out a rush of breath, he flew over to collect the ball, and returned to the ribbon for his final shot.
The last basket above the line was small and nearly as far as the one he'd just made. Saul doubted his ability to get the ball inside (he was sure he could hit it, he just didn't want to risk losing the points because it bounced wrong). He looked back at the others, bit his lip, and wished he knew what kinds of scores they were going to have. Going first stunk.
Risk a lot, gain a lot. He went for the basket tried for twice and only got once. If he got it, he'd show he'd definitely fixed his error. If he didn't, he'd show the second time was luck. He was about eighty percent sure he'd actually fixed his error.
He took a deep breath. He aimed. He shot. He pumped his fist in the air and gave a shout. It went in.
He collected the quaffle for the last time and returned to the others. Tossing the ball to the next person, he called out cheerfully, "Your go."
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Saul Pierce
I will follow Elly's lead and be . . . a pineapple
82
Saul Pierce
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Irene
September 20, 2007 4:32 PM
I'll be... an orange! *getting hungry* by Irene
Irene stood by their next challenge, taking deep calming breaths. It had just occurred to her how good everyone here was, not to mention older (but she sternly told herself that it didn't matter), and she was beginning to panic slightly. What if she didn't make it? Well, then she had obviously not tried hard enough, right? But did that make her like Damon? She certainly knew how she would feel if she didn't make it at all. Reserve was great and all that. She remembered the fun she'd had last year, but she wanted to push for that first-string spot...In front of her was a series of baskets, all different sizes, distances, some moving, and materials. They had to shoot from behind a ribbon in the air. Some of the baskets were metal, which would make the ball bounce off the rim easier. Some were sort of cloth-like, like a basketball net. Those would be easier to shoot for. Irene wasn't too sure about this one... When she was called to do something when she wasn't, you know, "in-the-zone" or playing, she didn't seem to do as well... She wasn't sure why, but when it was a game she just played better. It was like her entire being was focused on this one thing: Quidditch. It was almost like second nature when she was out there. Catch. Throw. Duck.
Irene watched as the Quaffle was tossed to Saul. Saul was good. He was nice too. She had talked with him at the Fury! last year. She hoped he got a spot, he deserved it. She hoped Caedence and Elly did too. They had been so awesome through last year, plus they were pretty great at the sport! And Lizzie. She was really great in the Pecari/Crotalus game last year before she was hit. Meredith was so nice too. She had joined Irene for practice last year and had been her fellow reserve. Ahh! If she wanted everyone to get a spot that meant that she wouldn't! Darn it, nice people... Irene looked on with her blue-green eyes as Saul shot once, making it no problem. The second time... Not so much. Close, but no cigar, or some other random old saying like that. Saul shot again and made it right into the basket. He tried the same with his last shot, making that too. Irene's theory was to go for the difficult shots. Not too difficult, because she thought that going for the farthest back metal baskets bordered on maybe being a little too sure of yourself. Saul headed back, looking pretty happy with himself. He tossed her the Quaffle with a happy, Your go." Irene caught it and grabbed her broom. Her turn...
She flew up to the marked altitude. She had four shots. Irene examined the baskets, trying to figure out which of the seven she wanted to pick. There was a medium sized metal basket placed near the back-middle. It looked promising enough. Irene lifted the Quaffle back and let the ball go towards the basket. She crossed her fingers, praying karma was with her... It was. Irene smiled a bit and flew to retrieve the Quaffle. She took her place back at the ribbon, picking out another basket. There was a basketball net looking hoop farther to the back, but not ridiculously far. Irene took aim again, taking a calming breath, and launched the Quaffle towards the basket. For a moment she thought it was going to miss, but a spin on the Quaffle pulled it back to its target. She couldn't help but sigh in relief as she went to go retrieve the oh-so-generous ball.
Irene looked down at the players below her. She was going to have to do something great if she wanted to really show what she was made of... She picked out a metal basket at a tricky, but (she thought) doable angle. Irene pictured a game thundering all around her. There was a Keeper, Beaters behind her, Seekers circling the pitch, her teammates playing to their fullest. Irene flew back a few feet. In order to really feel in the game she flew towards the ribbon, aiming the Quaffle. As she reached the ribbon she hurled the Quaffle towards her goal. It bounced on the rim, bouncing onto the other side of the rim, and falling into the bin. She bit her lip to keep from shouting out in happiness and relief.
Irene took off, retrieved the beautiful merciful Quaffle, and headed back to her spot. Maybe... Just maybe, she could try a moving target. They were in the middle, but no doubt the most difficult. Maybe she was letting the last goal get to her head... But it was worth a try, right? Irene decided that if she made it, it would be awesome. If not, she gave it a try. If she did a really horrible throw maybe it would go into a different basket! Not probable, but, hey, she had to be optimistic. She arched her arm, observing the speed of the basket. It reminded her of a game at a carnival her mother had taken her to for her fifth birthday. The hoops moved back and forth. Irene took aim and pitched the Quaffle at the spot she had picked. It soared through the air, hit the rim of the basket, and bounced away.
Irene felt a small let down of disappointment as she fetched the Quaffle, but she couldn't say she was surprised. She gave it a good effort and she was happy with how she'd done. Irene hopped off her broom and tossed the ball to the next person.
Smiling, she said, "Tag."
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Irene
I'll be... an orange! *getting hungry*
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Irene
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Caedence
September 21, 2007 6:05 PM
Fruit is overrated, i'm a carrot by Caedence
Caedence did her push ups silently, feeling pretty good with herself. Sure, Elly and Irene did better at the flight test, but Saul did worse and Meredith tied with her. During her break, she got a quick drink, but didn’t delay. After she got back to the pitch, with seven minutes to spare, she stretched her arms, shoulders, back and legs. While she was warmed up, there was no such thing as too warmed up. While swinging her head from side to side to stretch her neck, she noticed other people coming. Show time, kiddies. With a big grin, and a thumbs up at Elly, she took off on her practice lap, taking calculated breaths through her nose and out the mouth.She listened to the Cravens’ speech, smirking at the promise that this would benefit chasers. That would be good, since she wanted to become a chaser. And she was merely making goals, with a slight twist. That was bound to be fun.
Saul went first, missing his second shot, but getting the other three. Irene’s first shot made it in beautifully, as did her second. The third not so much. This was beginning to look a bit tougher than Caedence thought. She knew she could do it however. Being a chaser was what she did second best. Bashing a metal ball at semi-suspecting opponents was what she did best but the captains had that covered.
She saw something red streaking towards her face. Out of reflexes, she grabbed the ball and tucked it under her elbow, against her side. Blushing, she took it out from under her elbow and got on her broom. She kicked off hard, shooting towards the red ribbon.
Now she was faced with seven hoops. One, very close, seemed all too easy and she was sure that she could get it. However, she doubted it would be worth many points. One was farther away, but very small opening, probably only big enough for the quaffle to fit, but with no room for error. She knew that it would probably be worth the most, but she didn’t want to risk looking the fool. Finally, she settled on a medium sized hoop half way between the two. Taking careful aim, she chucked the quaffle at it. Her heart fell fast as the quaffle went way off course, instead making it into the basket to the intended one’s left. Caedence cursed, but the one to the left was smaller, so it must have been worth more, but not too much more. She went to retrieve it, vowing to get it in the hoop she wanted this time.
She closed her eyes, trying to place herself in the last game, the championship, the one they lost. She could almost feel the wind ruffling her hair, hear the crowds screaming. She imagined that things were different. She had the quaffle, and it was one score to win. Elly was streaking towards the snitch. Saul and Lizzie were flanking her, waiting for a pass that she wasn’t giving them. A bludger whistled past her head, and a Craven zipped past to follow it. She opened her eyes, no longer seeing baskets, but hoops. Three gold hoops. She took careful aim at the middle one, and threw with all her might. The ball soared through. She let out a victorious whoop before coming back to reality. The ball, in reality, had settled inside of a medium sized basket set the farthest back from the others. She couldn’t help cheering for the good shot before going to retrieve it.
She felt pretty good about herself. Maybe too good, but she didn’t think it. She took a shot at the tiny basket she had considered before. The red ball bounced straight off of it. Caedence cursed as she sped off after the falling ball. Too cocky. She found a closer basket that was no doubt worth less points, of medium size, and shot it in easily. Maybe she should have gone for a tougher one her last shot, but she didn’t want to screw it up.
As she touched down, she smiled at Elly. She looked around at the remaining people. “Umm… next up I guess?” She said looking at the Cravens before sitting down on the field, broom laying at her side. Her nerves were getting very frayed. She hoped her temper didn’t start to arise, as it would be terrible to shout at her captains. Endurance next, she realized with a groan. Well, relax until then, she reasoned, laying back to watch the person up in the air.\n
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Caedence
Fruit is overrated, i'm a carrot
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Caedence
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Elly
September 22, 2007 6:37 PM
Go Caede! Don't conform - be a carrot! by Elly
Twenty press-ups? Only the twins’ dropping to start the exercises themselves persuaded Elly that they weren’t joking. Press-ups it was then. She managed ten before collapsing onto the floor and laughing at her lack of stamina. She completed the rest in two lots of five, and did an extra two afterwards as self-inflicted punishment for her lame attempt. In her defence, being a Seeker didn’t really require especially strong arm muscles – not like being a Beater.In the break, Elly jogged up to the castle for a drink, as she hadn’t thought to bring one down with her. She returned with a bottle of water and sat on the grass in the sun with her friends, waiting for the next part of the tryout to begin. Before that happened though, the captains led their team on a lap around the pitch. Suddenly the pitch seemed a lot bigger. Elly managed the run without a great deal of trouble, but she knew that two years ago she would have found it a lot easier. She realised that the problem with the training she’d been doing for Quidditch was that it was all broom-mounted, and her legs hadn’t had much training at all. That needed sorting.
The next task was Chaser-oriented, according to the Cravens. Elly agreed – placing balls into baskets was definitely a Chaser thing to do. On the other hand, though, Elly thought she might do okay. The previous summer she’d done a decent job of playing goal shooter in netball games with her hockey team, and that was what had encouraged her decision to sign up for Quidditch in the first place – as a Chaser. She’d ended up being Seeker because that was the vacancy on the team, and she’d turned out to be good at that, too.
Elly watched with interest as Saul, Irene and Caedence all took their try at the task. She grinned and gave Caedence a thumbs up as she flew back down. “Next up I guess,” she said as she passed the Quaffle to Elly.
“Yeah, thanks,” Elly replied, catching the Quaffle and taking to the air. Despite her skills at shooting two summers ago, Elly hadn’t tried aiming for a hoop since then, and wasn’t sure her skills would come flying back to her in that instant. Bearing this in mind, she tried for one of the easier shots first – a big basket below the red ribbon. The ball hit the rim of the wicker basket then, to Elly’s relief, fell in. Pleased her first shot had gone to plan, Elly picked another easy target for her second go. This one was above the line, but still large, and relatively close. It was more like the netball shooting, and again Elly was pleased to see the ball safely enter the basket. Her third try, however, was not so lucky. Encouraged by her successes, she tried for one of the baskets that was both a little further away and comparatively smaller than the first two had been. She thought the Quaffle had skimmed the rim of the basket, but the ball didn’t go in. Deterred by her failure, on her fourth and final go, Elly went for the second basket again – the shot was messier and the ball hit the rim before falling in, but it was good enough for her. She flew back down to the ground, waiting to watch Mere as she took her turn.
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Elly
Go Caede! Don't conform - be a carrot!
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Elly
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Meredith
September 23, 2007 12:31 AM
Peanut! We legumes are cool. by Meredith
So Meredith hadn’t gotten through the slalom the most times. She didn’t feel bad. She was far more proud of Elly and Irene for doing so well. She did her best and that was all she could do. They were asked for push-ups before going to break. Mere shrugged and got down to do as told. It wasn’t hard having plenty of upper body strength. It came with the beater position and gymnastics helped to, but she didn’t rush herself through it. When she finished, she walked her legs forward and did a walkover to a standing position. She missed that over the summer.After a quick water break, Mere was back at the Pitch. She waited by readjusting her ponytail and doing another quick stretch. It couldn’t hurt to be limber especially when you could do fun things like splits. Mere did one and waited that way for the short while it took everyone to return and for the captains to start. She was ready for the second test. She picked herself up and began her lap on the captains’ word. Afterwards she was certainly breathing heavier than before. She could appreciate the size of the Pitch.
The next task was explained. An ability task. Shooting. Perfect chaser business. Aim didn’t worry Mere too much. Then again those baskets were looking pretty tricky. She didn’t get the same luck as last time with going early. She watched, flexing her left hand that would be doing the throwing, as her friends went before her. They were all good competition. Mere was itching to get back on her broom. After what felt like an eternity, it was her turn after Elly’s. Mere took up her broom and a quaffle and made her way to the red ribbon in the air.
It was hard to decide which of the seven baskets to go for first. She passed the ball between her hands for a few moments as she thought and then let it stay in her left. She decided to make each shot progressively harder. The ones up close were far too easy. She wanted to keep away from those if she could. She went for a middle basket below the ribbon. It was a decent size smaller than the ‘give away’ baskets. She aimed and then let the quaffle fly. It did a ring around the basket before falling in. Mere smiled and retrieved it. Three more. She eyed a middle basket above the line. It was a hair’s width smaller than the other and about five feet farther back. She adjusted herself, backing up for a clearer view of the basket (and for a bit of sport) and shot again.
She watched the quaffle arch through the air and felt that rush when you just know for sure you made a perfect shot. There was a satisfying swish. Down to two. It was time to look at the harder baskets. The ones near the back. Mere took a deep breath and tried to measure how far the next target was. Another ten feet from the farther middle basket. At that far a distance she could make it for sure if it was a regular hoop, but this basket business threw her off some. She didn’t linger in thought for too long and threw the quaffle again. It did a bounce on the rim that sent a jolt through Mere’s body and then fell in. Mere slumped with relief. She honestly didn’t think that one would make it. Fate was on her side that day or at least for this task. She quelled the ever growing grin because, continuing with her plan, the last basket was the farthest from her and it was difficult to aim at. But she aimed and she fired. Another jolt inducing bounce, followed by a second, but not a third. It slipped off the rim and dropped towards the ground.
Meredith mentally shrugged and dove down, catching the quaffle. She thought she had a good run. It would have been so awesome if all four went in, but no one had that luck for the task. She didn’t think it was the end of the world. She flew back down to the ground, returned the quaffle, and shouldered her broom as she returned to her friends in the group with a half satisfied, half relieved smile.
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Meredith
Peanut! We legumes are cool.
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Meredith
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5