Canada vs. Japan: Unspirited Play Isn’t Solved By Observers

August 3, 2012 by Charlie Eisenhood in Opinion, Video with 37 Comments

One of the most talked about games from this year’s Ultimate World Championships was the power pool matchup between Japan and Canada, two of the world’s top teams. Unfortunately, its exciting 14-13 universe point finish and its contrast in playing styles — the things that should have been talked about — were overshadowed by the incredibly poor spirit on display from the Canadian side.

As you can see in the above video, courtesy of Ulti.tv, Canada takes the aggressive play that we’ve come to expect in high-level, elite Ultimate to an unacceptable extreme. At times it looks more like an American football match than an Ultimate game. Apart from the physicality, the screaming, bumping, and general disrespect shown to the Japanese team is really disheartening.

This goes beyond a discussion of “spirit of the game.” The play in this game — Japan at times was guilty as well — was without question unspirited. But, more importantly, is this how we want to represent our sport at the World Championships? You would absolutely not see anything like this tolerated in most sports, especially at big tournaments like Worlds.

It is worth noting that the game was played without observers, according to World Flying Disc Federation rules. After this game, that rule has been subject to criticism, since an observed game would have been much less likely to get so out of control. The overly aggressive play — which looked like a Canadian tactic against the smaller Japanese players — would have been penalized and stopped.

While that is true, the push to implement observers isn’t really the answer — it just shifts the responsibility away from the players to play with spirit and good sportsmanship. Perhaps we have reached a point where elite Ultimate requires some kind of impartial referee, but the real focus should be on each team policing themselves. It has worked since the beginning of Ultimate — it can continue to work today.

Even in an observed or refereed game, good sportsmanship still matters. It’s not more acceptable to cheat, tackle, or disrespect your opponent just because there is someone there to tell you it’s against the rules. Ultimate isn’t all about winning — for many, particularly younger players, it’s about learning to work together, be a leader, and reach a goal. We have to remember that those kids look up to the elite teams as a guide to how to play and act on the field. It’s already crept into college; do we want high school players playing like Canada in this game?

The sport has reached a point where outside people are beginning to pay attention. And for good reason! But that comes with a greater responsibility — especially for the elite teams and especially at big tournaments — to act as ambassadors for the sport. So let’s play intense, but play fair and with respect.

Hat tip to RSD commenter smntstatus for compiling video clips. You can watch more Ultimate games live and on-demand at ulti.tv.

For more on this controversy, read a Team Canada player response, an observer’s thoughts on the game, and WFDF’s continued anti-observer stance. WFDF has subsequently released their Spirit of the Game rankings from Worlds; Canada finished near the bottom. Team Canada also apologized.

Tagged Open, SOTG, worlds

Bug

Unbelievably unspirited. Nearly every one of those plays would warrant a TMF (Team Misconduct Foul) or more in an observed game. And just because a player doesn’t CALL a foul doesn’t mean that there wasn’t a breach of spirit.

The non-handshake at the end was particularly disappointing.
sw

Responsibility does still lie with the players, but the presence of observers can and does encourage players to remember to be more spirited. It is true that sometimes it is only after the fact, when an observer issues a penalty, in which case sure, you could say spirit was still low, but there are certainly instances where an active observer presence can remind players of their responsibilities before things get escalated to the point where official observer actions are needed.

As a very simple example, in probably the majority of observed games there will never be any offsides committed.
Alan

“…the push to implement observers isn’t really the answer — it just shifts the responsibility away from the players to play with spirit and good sportsmanship.”

There’s only two ways this sentence makes any sense in the English language.

One, players have a responsibility based in the rules to engage in good spirited play, and that those rules are easier to enforce without observes. I don’t think this is true. Even though spirit is in the rules, it has no particular prescriptions for conduct. Also, players can’t enforce TMFs on each other.

Two, spirit is an aspirational goal, and it is easier to achieve without observers. While spirit is hard to define and we could waste a lot of space on it, I think it comes down to “don’t be unpleasant to the opponent.” This goal is no more difficult to achieve with observers, and perhaps less so, because you have a third party mediating.
- ceisenhood
  
  Alan, you make good points here.
  
  What I’m trying to say is that people who argue that this game proves the necessity of observers in elite-level games should focus first on sportsmanship, rather than relying on observers to solve the problems caused by poor spirit.
  
  I’m not saying that it is easier to play with more spirit without observers, I’m saying the focus is on the wrong issue.
Chris

That offsides comment is on the money. I don’t think I saw a single pull from worlds where they were there WASN’T an offsides.

I agree that referees could potentially degrade spirit because you could start seeing intentional-but-not-obvious fouling. Or more likely, like in the very first AUDL game I watched, diving to get the call.

However the presence of observers won’t take away spirit because the players still police themselves on foul calls, but the observers just keep them honest. I like observers more for the active line calls (who seriously watches their own feet?) but having an impartial party to dole out misconduct fouls has a way of keeping games from getting out of control like this one.
Troy

I think the most unspirited act in this game did not make the highlight clip.

After Gabe takes out Kei Sasakawa (1:29) he actually grabs the disc off the ground and appears indignant that play is not resuming, all while Kei is on the ground wrything in pain (47:00; http://skydmagazine.com/2012/07/world-championships-2012-japan-v-canada-open/).

Time is not really a factor in WFDF Ultimate (especially in the first half) and being so blantantly impatient and heartless is inexcusable. One could argue that bids on every pass were the product of over aggressive play and being caught up in the moment. However, when you take a guy out and show a complete lack of remorse, you’re really nothing but a goon. At this point in time the game was contentious but had not gone over a cliff and had Gabe taken this opportunity to say, “OK, this just got real. I’m sorry, we’ll snap out of it” I think Canada would not be in their current position.
Jeff Lindquist

Ceisenhood, I’m very curious if you spent any time reaching out to any Canadian players on the team before writing this article? And is there a reason every single thing Japan did was removed in the video?

You talk about a ‘playing style’, as if you’re implying Canada went into this game (or any game) with the intention of hitting or tackling players. As if 28 members of this team were all thinking that this is acceptable. As if the captains are talking to the team about how this will win us games.

The reality is, a few players on the Canadian team reacted to what they viewed as downright cheating by the Japanese by taking some shots in retaliation. That statement is a fact.

Now that being said, I’m not trying to say it was in any way acceptable. I don’t at all think it was. But when you write articles like this, without any idea what you are talking about, you are accusing the entire team – if not all of Canadian Ultimate. Where is the part of the article where Oscar brought us in at half to say it was embarrasing and unacceptable what happened? Or at the end of the game where 1 player didn’t want to shake hands (not Morgan), and Oscar told him to quit being a child and have some maturity.

I can tell you for a fact most of the players on Canada were absolutely embarrased during the game as to what was happening, and every single player was embarrased once their emotions had time to settle.
- Alan
  
  What cheating? Where? Clearly, it was not blatant or persistent enough that anyone felt the need to make an RSD post or video out of it, so can you point out some of these instances? I remember you said elsewhere that you felt the Japanese were not engaging in discussion. That is perhaps the first time that I have ever heard someone ask for more ulti-debating. I wouldn’t want to argue with you either in a second language after you started tackling my players five minutes into the game
  
  And if your team was so ashamed, why did your captains apparently do nothing about it? Did anyone get benched? Did anyone get called out or spoken to? Did you tell Gabe, Andy and Morgan to stop tackling people?
- Jeremy
  
  I guess Morgan must have been absent from that halftime speech because his score/chestbump/staredown/screaming occurred at 11-10.
- T.Hex
  
  every single player was embarrased once their emotions had time to settle.
  Also when the amphetamines settled down a bit. Oops did I just go there? Yep. The look in their eyes during big games… an unnatural hunger, a crazed look. I don’t think this team is alone though…
pacemaker

From the Observer Code of Conduct

1. Spirit of the Game. Helping players adhere to the Spirit of the Game is the paramount consideration in performing the role of an Observer.

2- The Game Belongs to the Players. Managing and conducting the game is primarily the players’ responsibility, and the outcome of a game should be decided by their actions, not those of Observers. An Observer’s role is not to affect the outcome or dictate the course of the game, but only to assist the players in following the rules and to help resolve disputes where necessary. Accordingly, except where Observers are specifically directed to decide a matter by applicable event rules, such as ruling on conduct issues and objective (e.g., time, boundary) limits, all calls and play stoppages are initiated by the players. Likewise, players should be afforded the opportunity, and be encouraged, to resolve disputes on their own before an Observer intervenes
.
3. Instill Sportsmanship. Observers should assist players in creating an environment that fosters sportsmanship and respect towards teammates and opponents. While the game should remain in the players’ hands to the greatest extent possible, Observers should strive to inform players when their actions or manner of treating others during play are inconsistent with the mutual respect dictated by the Spirit of the Game. Performing this function serves to maintain integrity among players familiar with Ultimate and to introduce newer players to the unique spirit with which Ultimate is played.

4. Professionalism. Observers should approach their role and conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism. This includes treating players, coaches and spectators with mutual respect, being as prepared as possible – both mentally and physically – to perform their duties and making every effort to position themselves properly and make the best judgments possible at all times. Observers should make every attempt to improve their observing skills, both individually and in conjunction with their fellow officials, in an effort to do the best job that they can for the players.

more later
pacemaker

I did not watch the low-light video above, but through the first 6 points on the full video, both teams were hacking away. I did watch the entire game video.

That would have been halted by the 2nd point with an observing crew.

i suspect the biggest issue is that the players could not appropriately communicate with each other what their concerns were. Boys being boys, it appears to have escalated into more thumping when verbal communication did not work..

Since mutual respect and playing by the rules takes some verbal give and take, I think the largest issue was that of a lack of communication between the teams.
fatty

RE Troy: Just now noticed that the guy Gabe injured was #29 – the Japanese player guilty of the brutal cheapshot on Andy Collins (11:19 of the original videa), and the hard foul on air-born Seraglia (26:55 in original video); and in both cases, he played the innocent boy scout after the fact. Convenient that you left those clips out. Note that both of these plays occurred before any of the ugly play from Canada. I wonder what else this guy pulled that wasn’t so well captured on camera? I can see what Gabe may not have felt much remorse.

BTW – Canada’s “current position” is having taken the Gold medalists to universe point, and ended up with a bronze – and not really giving a crap what the peanut gallery is yapping about.
- http://ultiworld.com dlberk
  
  re-fatty
  
  -11:19 The japanese player it looks to be changing direction on his cut. It is a foul but does it does not warrant the Canadian reaction of literally pushing the Japanese player. If anything this could have included highlighting the unsportsmanlike reaction to the foul. Yelling is one thing, pushing is something else.
  
  -26:55 This is a pretty standard foul and foul call. There is no pushing or shoving afterwards. Definitely not a “hard” foul. It goes back and play resumes and not unsportsmanlike (until the same Canadian player scores later and decides to spike the disc near the Japanese player and proceed to get in his face, which we did show)
  
  Edit: Added links to the specific clips.
  - fatty
    
    11:19 is a deliberate, violent cheap shot. Distantly worse than the shove that followed, and as bad as anything that the Canadians did afterward.
    
    26:55 is a hard foul. Hard forearm/shoulder from behind to a prone player at the peak of his jump, sending him tumbling. The foul in and of itself isn’t the issue – it’s the contest. He didn’t even pretend to make a play on the disc. How can he contest that? It’s cheating, plain and simple.
    
    Japan got the ball rolling with the ugliness. Canada took it further than they should have in retaliation. Both teams should have done better. Then again, I’ve seen worse games in rec league, so to say they should hang their heads in shame is a bit much.
    - http://pooteeweet.org Lukas
      
      11:19: Its not visible in the video if he only moved his elbow to hit him or what exactly happened. But even if he did, the fact that the Canadian player reacted like he did to me implies that he wasnt surprised this would happen. Now personally if this would happen to me I would first wonder a second because I would not conceive such a possibility. The reaction of the Canadian player was a physical assault on his part. So whatever what happened before he shouldnt be playing ultimate with that attitude.
      
      26:55 this was indeed a foul from what I can see and so imho it shouldnt have been contested. The booing on the side lines is also not cool. saying this was a hard foul or that the japanese player only went in with the intent to hurt is pretty off base from my point of view.
      - Uzoma O
        
        Even then, if you look at the reaction of the japanese player at 11:19, he appeared to attempt to apologize for the hit and was immediately met with aggressive confrontation. He wasn’t even looking in the direction of his defender when he made his cut. Cuts like that are a dime a dozen.
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D-Day

“should focus first on sportsmanship, rather than relying on observers to solve the problems caused by poor spirit.”

I really don’t understand this statement, because the people who are chiming in on this game, no matter what side of the observers/not equation, ARE focusing in on sportsmanship.

People who care about how the sports’ direction and spirit are merely trying to present some sort of solution to the problem, which is something you aren’t doing here.

I don’t mean that to come off as overly harsh, but merely pleading for players’ to focus on playing the game in a more compassionate manner is what has led us to this point. As the sport grows, it becomes more competitive, and the high level of focus we as both players and fans put on premier events such as Worlds and Nationals creates that pressure for success.

What is the next step? How do you positively promote the “sporting ideal” you’d like to see? Should we negatively reinforce this behavior by punishing Canada? Do you hold individual players responsible, or the team captains?

Personally, the more and more I look over the film;

- First bid looks okay. He almost got the D and there looked like no intent to injure.
- The hands to the back was not good by the Japanese player. He was still on his feet. However, any time a player spikes a disc at someone, he should be automatically ejected.
- The IO-backhand collision was just the type of throw that is going to attract that kind of action. But, I’m a huge proponent of guys never trying to make a play on a thrower from behind him. It’s fouling for the sake of stopping a throw with no intent to make a defensive play.
- The slowdown of the vid @ 2:00 is when the game starts going overboard. After tackling the Japanese receiver, Gabe keeps pushing him with hands to the face/body the whole way down to the ground. Disgusting.
- Hibbert’s bid afterwards is “apologized” for, but for crissakes, he doesn’t make physical contact with the Japanese receiver until after the disc is fully caught.

I like observers. They are players who actually care about fairness and sportsmanship enough to go out of their way to educate themselves, train, get certified, and attend events as impartial help. As long as they’re there for the non-judgement calls (offsides, in/out calls) and to provide safety and unbiased judgement in situations such as this, we need more.

– Keep up the absolutely great work.
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Canadian

Shame on you Canada.
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Ultimate Spectator

What was Canada’s defensive strategy? Injure every Japan player till they have to forfeit?
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The Manly Man

This is just a poorly written article.
Sat

Disclosure : I’m Japanese and have experience to play with both Buzz Bullets and Furious George.
I’m also a certified observer of USA ULTIMATE.

After watching the full game footage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxf-HYYEvP0), my opinion is that the Canadian’s layout bids on 8-8 were too physical and a few shouting to Japanese player should be something to avoid,　but other than that, it’s kind a normal physical game which Japan and Canada tend to play.

I’ve communicated with the Japanese coach and he said that it looked some Canadians were a bit too excited, but the atmosphere of the game was not so bad.

On the other hand, there were so many calls and stoppages that I agree we have to improve those.
If non Ultimate players watch this game, we may loose a fan.

Observers could be one option and I like that, but some voting system like SOTG score which can be used for TMF or PMF might help convince people who are very careful of observers.

Just an idea…
http://nycpul.com keith

Wow, I am so relieved that Canada did not win this one! Not only did this game show very poor spirit, but was also dangerous. The defensive bids were more like open field tackles in contact sports with full protective gear, not at all appropriate or even safe on an ultimate field. Team Canada, that game is a real low point in your team’s history, and I am grateful that Japan beat you, even though I was initially rooting for your team.
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Fart Garfunkel

Here’s what everybody seems to miss in every discussion about observers:

The reason that players get angry and games get out of hand is almost invariably because one or both teams feel that the other is trying to cheat (either through bogus calls, or dirty tactics). The presence of observers assures both teams that neither is endeavoring to cheat (at least with respect to calls/actions that are clearly visible to a third party). This takes the venom out of any disagreements that do arise: much easier to accept that an opponent simply doesn’t agree with you, than it is to accept your perception that he’s attempting to cheat.

Add observers, remove perception of cheating, remove frustration and corresponding flaring of tempers. Simple as that.
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Disappointed

Disgusting…. exactly why I left the sport
http://www.beachultimate.org Patrick van der Valk

What some people fail to knowledge is that the VAST majority of games that are played without Observers and have no problems. The games that have problems are easy to highlight and critique, but if Ultimate started as a refereed sport and experimented to play without them, I would consider a 95%+ success rate a great achievement. It doesn’t mean it is perfect and we can sit back and relax. We all need to ensure that Spirit is taught. That goes for team captains, coaches, the WFDF, BULA, national federation, you and me.

One of the things that needs to improve is the role of the coach. If there are problems with a player getting too intense, take him/her out. Talk to the other team. The ‘in the heat of the moment’ argument does not apply to the team leader on the sideline.

Teams that come into a game understanding that Spirit is a key component will have a great game without the need of Observers. I am watching the Open Junior Colombia – USA finals now and it is clear that a great, hard fought game is possible without Observers. Truly the Ultimate in sports.
http://www.beachultimate.org Patrick van der Valk

Team USA just won the finals against Colombia and came in second in Spirit ranking while Colombia won the Spirit award. Truly, no observers are needed. Just a will to do well on both parts of the sport that make it so special.
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Canada vs. Japan: Unspirited Play Isn’t Solved By Observers

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