The last time we were in semifinals at NPS was 2006. We came in dead last. Over the past five Nationals, our two night prelimenaries totaled 8, 8, 7, 6, and 5 respectively. As you can see we’ve made progress each year for five years in a row. And here’s why:
1. We have a program with integriy. This past 2011 NPS we jumped from 48th in the nation in 2010, to 37th this year – a whole 11 points. We went up against Fort Worth, SlamMN, and Denver Mercury – all teams that went to semifinals. We almost upset the favored SlamMN on our first night. We held our own against Denver, and ultimately forced them to win by using a piece they wanted to save for semifinals. 2012 NPS will continue the trend of breakthrough years for our teams AND WE WANT YOU TO BE APART OF THE SUCCESS. We’ve learned through hard experience, to focus on BASIC POETRY SLAM STRATEGY and TACTICS:
A. Great poems ALONE don’t win poetry slams. Many poets don’t think the format of a slam matters. But there is a distinct difference between the format of half court basketball and full court basketball. There is a difference between softball and hardball even though both games are played on a diamond. The 4×4 poetry slam format is like a baseball diamond with clear landmarks much like baseball’s 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, pitcher, short stop, and so on. WE COMPLETELY IGNORED THIS LAYOUT IN THE PAST. We know now how to approach the management of the classic 4×4 poetry slam format, so we run the 4×4 format for our local slam. By the time we get to Nationals our poets are familiar and comfortable with competing in the 4×4.
B. If you’re a veteran slammer, you know that there are better rotations and worse rotations for any given slam format. If you don’t yet believe that concept, volunteer to go first in a 10 poet slam – ALL THE TIME. As long as regulation slams have random draw for rotation, this aspect of the game is out of your control as a poet. WE COMPLETELY IGNORED ROTATION IN THE PAST. We’ve discovered through HARD EXPERIENCE over the past few years, a simple secret to winning more slams is: YOU NEED TO PLAY YOUR ROTATION. If you’re up against teams that don’t believe rotation matters (and that’s most teams), YOU’LL BEAT THEM EVERY TIME BECAUSE YOU’RE PLAYING YOUR POEMS PROPERLY FOR YOUR ROTATION!
C. We’ve learned A LOT from our losses, but the most important recent discovery is WE’VE LEARNED THE SHORT CUT FOR PREPARING FOR EVERY ROTATION IN THE 4X4 FORMAT!!! This short cut streamlines summer practices and focuses our team of poets on a demonstrable, attainable goal.
2. How do you know it’s worth your while to even try out for our team? I’m probably the only Slammaster in the nation that runs the 4×4. Besides the fact it prepares our poets for Nationals – it makes it easy for great poets to qualify for the local Slam Off. You don’t have to beat 8, 9, or 10 poets to get your ranking like they do in other cities. Plus your accumulated points throughout the season reward you with your choice of rotation when you get to the Slam Off. This minimizes the effect of walk-on poets that haven’t slammed all season from randomly pulling the best rotation in the Grand Slam.
3. We have a Slammaster and coach who’s veteran status is based solidly on the fact that HE’S ALREADY MADE MOST OF HIS MISTAKES! Slammasters, coaches, and team captains WITH NO NPS EXPERIENCE ARE GAURANTEED TO LEAD THEIR TEAM TO A STRING OF LOSSES FOR AT LEAST 5 YEARS. I’ve not only been responsible for some of the most terrible losses in our history, I’ve analized the losses and consulted with some of the most succesful Slammasters no longer in the game. I know where I screwed up. And now I know how to play the game. Plus, I’m an active member of our local non-profit and we’re focused on increasing sponsorship for our teams.
Poetry Slam is about more than luck or even skill. You need a plan and organization. The most successful poetry slam teams in the nation have non-profit or community backing; experienced Slammasters, coaches, and/or captains; and solid, coachable poets always striving to improve on their craft. That’s where you come in. We need more good poets like you to join us. Houston Poetry Slam is COMMITTED AND DEDICATED to joining the elite teams that usually make semifinals and finals at NPS each year. We have the knowledge and experience, we just need you to join our program and help us acheive our ultimate goal.
0 Responses
Stay in touch with the conversation, subscribe to the RSS feed for comments on this post.
You must be logged in to post a comment.