What is it with Andy?

So, what is it with Andy Crews that when he shows up, I fluster and feel like a gangly, uncoordinated teenager? I swear, that man is going to be the death of me one of these days.

We're all at practice today. Andy agreed to be the team's coach, so he was helping out coordinating the practice, keeping us on time, explaining drills, giving pointers, inspiring the lot of us. When he talks, everyone listens, which is absolutely wonderful. When he explains some skill, or some drill, or some finer point to some technique, there is no ego in his explanation: the explanation is very much to help the recipient become a better player. I'm fairly certain we all lurve the Andy. Just lurve him.

During practice, Tyler explained a drill he wanted us to run, one that showed and ingrained certain cuts that are very effective for him. The paper Tyler showed to us had very good explanations for each cut, each change of directions, and the timing of both. It was well written, and clearly well thought out, as the end of the cuts flowed easily into the line of the next step in the drill.

One step of the drill involved faking to the first cutter to signal to the cutter to change direction, as the thrower dumped the disc for a give and go. After the team had run though each of the four steps in the drill several times, Andy started marking the thrower, then following the thrower to put another mark on the upfield throw after the give and go. Simple.

He started by marking other people. Somehow, I managed to avoid being marked by Andy.

Until I didn't.

He flustered me. He always flusters me. I hate that he flusters me. Hate it.

I turned and ran with the disc. I moved until I heard Doyle yell, "TRAVEL!" I stopped, threw the disc to my dump, who was standing in front of a large number of very humoured teammates, then ran for the give and go. I ran as hard as I could, received the disc, turned, and there he was again. My continuation pass was pathetic.

I moved to the side of the field, bent over, and nearly cried from embarrassment. DanO asked if I was okay, which, well, technically, I was. Except for the embarrassment part. Could I curl up into a little tiny ball and disappear? Please?

Beth does this to me, too. I notice her when she's marking me. I don't notice a lot of marks, at least until they handblock me, then I'm way more careful the next time I'm marked, but Beth I notice every time. Though, not as bad as Andy.

Gah.