Spring Break
The Daily OrangeUnique styles secret to beer-pong success
By Brian Tahmosh
Posted: 4/25/07, 1:32 AM EST Section: Feature
He gives credit to his exercise science professor, Dali Xu, for teaching him about short motor programs and repeating the same motions for every shot.
"It's like a foul shot," Jiunta said. "You do the same thing every time, and it's programmed in. As long as you're comfortable, it doesn't matter how you shoot."
For some, comfort takes on a whole new meaning when they have to adjust to meet physical needs.
Dave Kelsey, a 1999 graduate from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and current Syracuse resident, is right-handed, but left-eye dominant.
"It's like aiming a gun," Kelsey said. "If you're aiming with the wrong eye, it is very difficult."
To compensate, Kelsey holds the ball between his index finger and ring finger, in front of his left eye, before every toss. Once he feels properly aligned, he pulls the ball back, holding it with his middle finger and thumb and fires off a shot.
The strange finger placement has no real explanation, except for the fact that it makes Kelsey feel confident.
"In all honesty, I don't even know why I do it," he said. "I just started doing it, and it worked. When I don't do that, I don't do as well."
Manlius residents Brandon Woodcock and Mike Doolittle believe their differing styles will give them an advantage in beer pong. The two members of Blue Doggies came to the event clad in yellow baseball jerseys. The shirts were custom-made - for $22.50 - and had pictures of blue dachshunds and the words "The Wellington House" printed on them, in reference to a restaurant Doolittle used to work at.
Doolittle is the touch shooter. He said the high ceilings at Chuck's were designed for his type of lofting shot.
Woodcock is the straight shooter. He grew up playing with quarters instead of ping pong balls and said the different projectile led him to adapt a lower, faster shot, more like throwing darts.
"We've got the best of both worlds," Woodcock said. "No matter what happens, we can adjust."
But for O'Brien, the game is not about making adjustments. It is not about fancy rituals or muscle memory. It's about confidence, and saying "Vegas" as he shoots.
"Pretend it's like basketball," O'Brien suggests. "Square up, line it up, nothing but brew."
"It's like a foul shot," Jiunta said. "You do the same thing every time, and it's programmed in. As long as you're comfortable, it doesn't matter how you shoot."
For some, comfort takes on a whole new meaning when they have to adjust to meet physical needs.
Dave Kelsey, a 1999 graduate from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and current Syracuse resident, is right-handed, but left-eye dominant.
"It's like aiming a gun," Kelsey said. "If you're aiming with the wrong eye, it is very difficult."
To compensate, Kelsey holds the ball between his index finger and ring finger, in front of his left eye, before every toss. Once he feels properly aligned, he pulls the ball back, holding it with his middle finger and thumb and fires off a shot.
The strange finger placement has no real explanation, except for the fact that it makes Kelsey feel confident.
"In all honesty, I don't even know why I do it," he said. "I just started doing it, and it worked. When I don't do that, I don't do as well."
Manlius residents Brandon Woodcock and Mike Doolittle believe their differing styles will give them an advantage in beer pong. The two members of Blue Doggies came to the event clad in yellow baseball jerseys. The shirts were custom-made - for $22.50 - and had pictures of blue dachshunds and the words "The Wellington House" printed on them, in reference to a restaurant Doolittle used to work at.
Doolittle is the touch shooter. He said the high ceilings at Chuck's were designed for his type of lofting shot.
Woodcock is the straight shooter. He grew up playing with quarters instead of ping pong balls and said the different projectile led him to adapt a lower, faster shot, more like throwing darts.
"We've got the best of both worlds," Woodcock said. "No matter what happens, we can adjust."
But for O'Brien, the game is not about making adjustments. It is not about fancy rituals or muscle memory. It's about confidence, and saying "Vegas" as he shoots.
"Pretend it's like basketball," O'Brien suggests. "Square up, line it up, nothing but brew."
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Marissa
posted 2/18/08 @ 3:31 PM EST
SU!!! ESF !!
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