Pickup Quidditch for the Toxically Masculine Man in You!
Author: Tad Walters
Pickup quidditch is in full swing around the country as our sport attempts to replenish our numbers by recruitment in various communities. For some people new to quidditch or even sports as a whole, the unspoken rules of pickup can be confusing, especially for toxically masculine men, so here are some tips to make sure you're not "that guy" this summer!
1. Read the Room
When you arrive at the field, take a look around and gauge the level of talent. Are these veteran MLQ players? Are these young college players? Are these completely new players to the sport? Doing this will give you an idea of the level of play to expect throughout the pickup and how to adjust accordingly. If you're not playing with veterans, don't expect them to always properly set up an offense or defense or know the "correct" plays to make in a situation. Patience and a level of not caring is required so as not to come off as an asshole. Which leads to my next point...
PC: Scott Rein
2. Don't Be a Try Hard
People come to pickups for a variety of reasons: to get extra reps outside of practice, to hang out with their friends, or to try the sport for the first time. It is not game seven of the NBA finals. Tackles are sometimes okay in pickups (see rule one), but don’t obliterate someone. Wraps and fall tackles do wonders. Ain't nobody trying to get hurt on a Tuesday afternoon. Minor fouls happen, but there is no need to complain about them. Bludger control doesn't matter. Turnovers don't matter. Goals don't matter. It's pickup, nothing matters. If someone is doing something wrong that is either ruining the game for everyone else or is dangerous, just being clear and communicative with them fixes the problem almost every time.
PC: Scott Rein
3. Have Fun and Make It Fun For Everybody
Pickups are the biggest cross section of athletes you'll see in the sports world. There is very little barrier to entry, and ANYONE can play. Pickups can be the most fun when you get to play with someone you never get to play with or when you're trying new moves, plays, or even positions! Pickups can also be rewarding when you are simply trying to work on one move or skill the whole time and show improvement. Pickups can be especially fun when you are brand new to the sport! However, people's experiences with quidditch can be marred by things such as bad attitudes, injuries, and lack of opportunity to really experience the game. No matter why YOU show up to pickups, if newer or younger people to the sport show up, you should try to ensure they have a great time! Include them in plays often and even explain certain nuances of the game to help them improve in small ways (be wary of being overly critical, mansplaining, or acting condescendingly). Some people never get a chance to ball carry , cut for a goal, or play beater on their organized team(s), so having patience with players in unfamiliar roles is crucial to make sure everyone is having fun. Afterall, we play this sport because it's fun, right?
So next time you head to your local pick up, remember to keep these rules in mind, keep your toxic masculinity in check, and HAVE FUN! 🥳
