Back in the 40s and 50s dunk shots became common in the sport of basketball. Unlike today, a 7 ft tall center was freakish and could dominate the floor (hence the reason goal tending became illegal and dunk shots were band in college basketball from 1967-1976). To combat dominating giants, shorter and/or slower guys developed their long-distance shot and soon 3-point shots came into play.
As a spectator I enjoy every aspect of the game of basketball. The thrill of a fast break, a perfectly timed and placed pass, the mighty slam dunk, the elegant swish of a three point drop, the mental challenge of a free throw, the spontaneous juke…you name it, all of which compose the game.
The capability of NBA’s 3-point shooters is close to 50% these days. Impending mastery of 3-point shots prompts the NBA league to increase the challenge by periodically expanding its 3-point arc. Imagine if all shooters resorted to half court buckets. What kind of game would it be? Exciting? Maybe, for a minute, but nowhere near the capacity of challenge intended the sport. Player fundamentals would be reduced to a rocket-launch from back court, leaving ball tending/working the court a lost art. The sport would not hold the same capacity of challenge because of its narrowed focus of offense. Therefore, the league continues to preserve balance instigating all aspects of the game.
Just like in basketball, team ropers are constantly pushing the envelope with their long-shot creativity and ability. Certainly successful long-shots will always be spectacular. They were back in the day of HP Evetts, and they still are today. And certainly half-court (team roping) shots are appropriate and appreciated in confined setups like the Thomas and Mac, but it’s not the reality-roping for Salinas, Cheyenne, Pendleton, etc., or the open range. Unfortunately, about the only exposure to team roping our world gets is the televised National Finals. New-generation ropers watch the shark fest in the T & M tank and take on it’s “furious-roping” idea believing it’s the way. They feed on “how-to” articles written by their heroes about knock’n barriers and cut’n corners, even utilizing the force of one’s horse coming off the back of the box to send your loop. Rarely do their heroes promote or share advice on how to be versatile, solid, or consistent, much less the importance of “safety.“ Because most ropers today are arena competitors, not actual “cowboys”, they want speed and limit their (and their horse’s) development to short, quick runs with total disregard for proper mechanics and team dynamics.
The team roping we see today is not what the event was originated to be, but speaking about its authenticity is like speaking a foreign language. Today’s arena is a different time and place. Creativity and phenomenal skill aside, I’m talking about today’s competition A.D.D. and lack of event integrity. As the NBA’s 3-point arc boundary continues to expand, honorable adjustments in the roping arena are nonexistent. It seems cattle get smaller, horse & roper athletes get bigger and better, yet barriers remain short, and money gets shelled out in the wrong direction.
I commend NFR team roping producers for recognizing the need for enforcing the challenge of one loop, but what a roping we’d see if the NFR were to restore the “team” principle in the T & M and revive the game. I propose they lengthen that score a ways, pull a heeler barrier the same as the header’s, oblige competitors to utilize those expensive, 4-legged team members to their maximum potential, and then NFR-boys, let’s rope! Match the best headers & heelers in the world against cattle that finally have some kind of advantage. Give them talented boys an opponent other than themselves. Would it happen?
Most likely not, because only today’s real roper cowboy would understand and appreciate the significance of meeting such challenges, and only he would applaud and call it, “A hell of a run.”
That’s all I know…
Rope Smart!
The Lion
Leo Camarillo Horse & Cattle LLC
Monday, January 3, 2011
Monday, December 27, 2010
What Happens In Vegas Stays In Vegas
As a competitor it’s pretty exciting to be in Vegas, to go to Vegas, even to anticipate going to Vegas, yet, ten days of Vegas for most cowboys stokes a pretty good yearning for the reality of home. Home becomes an escape.
Much of what I saw in this year’s NFR team roping was amazing, and for those who did amazing things, going home is necessary for their reality (how well they actually did) to digest. Those who suffered what was obviously not the roping that got them there, are anxious to get back to their “reality”, the reality-roping that put them in the top 15 in the first place.
Definitely, I admire the competitive spirit of 2010 NFR team ropers, and I want to applaud Trevor Brazile for coming a thin thread away from proving that a guy can reach and catch all 10 steers on the end of his rope. If only one strand more had snagged on, he would have done it!
Though this year’s average Thomas-&-Mac run was somewhere around 6.5 seconds, we saw many 4s and 5s, and nine of the 15 teams stuck one in 3 (seconds). In fact, 3 seconds at the T & M has become common.
Analyzing the great debate, “Which is the wiser way to compete at the Finals? Go for day money or go for the average?” of course, depends on personal agenda. Regardless weather a guy’s there for business, the experience, his grandpa…etc., one must assume all ropers would like to win enough to put their entire rodeo season in the black ($30,000.00 finals money is about the mark). Because ten of this year’s 15 teams met the quota just in day money, it seems a guy could ignore the 10-head pressure, just rope for “day money“, and enjoy himself. Ah, but what happens pressure-wise if by the 3rd or 4th go he hasn’t placed?
Granted, today’s kids don’t have the survival stresses of yesteryear, so winning and money might not pump the same pressures it did back in the day; but if money and winning does matters, the anxiety of slimming chances can be crippling.
Before I preach game theory, lets consider two basic methods of roping: fast and furious. Furious roping is (Thomas & Mac style), “going for time”, day-money gunfire with the clock as a primary focus. Ropers come (across the line) swinging and throws are designated by variables (i.e. when the steer moves, or his horns reach a certain point out the gate, etc.) that determine allotted time frames. After (if) the loop goes on, then the run falls into place.
Fast roping (old fashioned roping) is efficient roping, utilizing solid fundamentals with the primary focus of catching. Opposite furious roping, fast roping sets the run up first implements team components, and throws are designated by positions that ideally seal the deal.
Fast roping sounds too tedious and meticulous for today’s blink-of-an-eye action, but I guarantee when focused on setting things right, high percentage shots appear, and speed, luck, and phenomenal unfolds (just like we witnessed with team Brown & Lucero, the only team to catch all 10 steers) along with consistency. Average winners, Brown & Lucero, proved in rounds 2 and 8, it’s not impossible to speed-strive and catch all 10 steers, but it takes discipline. You’ve got to think about your roping--your run, (not the style of the day) and rope appropriately (steer for steer, rather than round for round). In round two, Brown & Lucero knocked it back and hammered one in 3 (seconds) for a first place check of $17,512.00, but in round 9 got out late and had to follow a steer around for 12 seconds to win $44,909.00. At this year’s NFR their game was about catching, and their only competitors were themselves.
Arguably, five other teams were in it to catch, however, the majority of the 14 teams that went out of the average, played for speed. Two teams impressively caught 9 of their 10 steers (Brazile & Smith and B. Tryan & Long). Three teams caught 8. And while each of the 14 placed in at least one round, Brazile & Smith placed in a total of 8 out of 10 rounds, seating one of the top 3 slots in 5 of those 8 rounds. As day-money leaders they won close to $84,000 and were given a 2nd place check for the average. Though, Daniel and Twissleman didn’t win a single round they roped nine out of 10 steers too, seating consistently 2nd or 3rd in four rounds, taking one 4th place (round 8), earning a total of about $54,000 in day-money.
Not far behind Brazile & Smith in day money, were fierce gun-slingers, Brady Tryan and his heeler Jake Long. Though they missed two of their 10 steers, they won rounds 4 (3.5 sec.) and 7 (3.9 sec.), placed 2nd in rounds 3 and 6, picked up additional checks in rounds 8 and 10, earning the second highest round-money total of around $70,000. I can’t argue with those figures.
Certainly, this year’s day-money strategist chalked up the chips with each round. However they and their many opponents faced and suffered considerable risk. By the 3rd round 5 teams were already out of the average; by the 5th round 11 teams were out, leaving 8 guys a guaranteed minimal payoff of over $21,000.00 just by tangling up 5 more steers. In the 6th round another team went down increasing the Average payoff to almost $29,000.00, and by the end of the 7th round 14 teams were out leaving Brown & Lucero almost FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS just for doing what they do everyday on 3 remaining steers. As an “Average” winner, and one who’s always searching for that path of guaranteed money, it’s a no-brainer for me…“Come on man!”
Admittedly, we all enjoy today’s high speed in the roping arena. It’s impressive, exciting, and keeps the show alive, but when we’re talking a 10 header, roping for speed with disregard for catching glares a lack of event-integrity. But who cares, right? I think I’m the only one. I also believe average payoffs should pay those and only those who went the distance, ate the whole elephant, caught all their steers. Where else in rodeo do they pay average money to a team that didn’t catch all steers? When only one finals team catches all 10 steers, that’s a mighty feat, and that team should be rewarded with mighty recognition and a mighty check. “Average money should go to Average winners. not competitors who came close.
Until the producers set a new bar (highlighting average compensation) we won’t see significant “average” competition. Voiding all integrity, NFR producers encourage speed and the gamble for “day money” (why hell, we’re in Las Vegas, that’s what they do), leaving “average” winning it’s nickel’s worth of consideration. .
The sad thing is all those talented ropers we just watched will probably go on and to their credit probably add another finals feather to their hat, only to come back and cast their fate away again with their day-money loops. The average is merely an aftermath. For most competitors, there it will sit, the surest way to win, hidden in the shadows of discipline.
That’s all I know…
Rope Smart!
The Lion
Much of what I saw in this year’s NFR team roping was amazing, and for those who did amazing things, going home is necessary for their reality (how well they actually did) to digest. Those who suffered what was obviously not the roping that got them there, are anxious to get back to their “reality”, the reality-roping that put them in the top 15 in the first place.
Definitely, I admire the competitive spirit of 2010 NFR team ropers, and I want to applaud Trevor Brazile for coming a thin thread away from proving that a guy can reach and catch all 10 steers on the end of his rope. If only one strand more had snagged on, he would have done it!
Though this year’s average Thomas-&-Mac run was somewhere around 6.5 seconds, we saw many 4s and 5s, and nine of the 15 teams stuck one in 3 (seconds). In fact, 3 seconds at the T & M has become common.
Analyzing the great debate, “Which is the wiser way to compete at the Finals? Go for day money or go for the average?” of course, depends on personal agenda. Regardless weather a guy’s there for business, the experience, his grandpa…etc., one must assume all ropers would like to win enough to put their entire rodeo season in the black ($30,000.00 finals money is about the mark). Because ten of this year’s 15 teams met the quota just in day money, it seems a guy could ignore the 10-head pressure, just rope for “day money“, and enjoy himself. Ah, but what happens pressure-wise if by the 3rd or 4th go he hasn’t placed?
Granted, today’s kids don’t have the survival stresses of yesteryear, so winning and money might not pump the same pressures it did back in the day; but if money and winning does matters, the anxiety of slimming chances can be crippling.
Before I preach game theory, lets consider two basic methods of roping: fast and furious. Furious roping is (Thomas & Mac style), “going for time”, day-money gunfire with the clock as a primary focus. Ropers come (across the line) swinging and throws are designated by variables (i.e. when the steer moves, or his horns reach a certain point out the gate, etc.) that determine allotted time frames. After (if) the loop goes on, then the run falls into place.
Fast roping (old fashioned roping) is efficient roping, utilizing solid fundamentals with the primary focus of catching. Opposite furious roping, fast roping sets the run up first implements team components, and throws are designated by positions that ideally seal the deal.
Fast roping sounds too tedious and meticulous for today’s blink-of-an-eye action, but I guarantee when focused on setting things right, high percentage shots appear, and speed, luck, and phenomenal unfolds (just like we witnessed with team Brown & Lucero, the only team to catch all 10 steers) along with consistency. Average winners, Brown & Lucero, proved in rounds 2 and 8, it’s not impossible to speed-strive and catch all 10 steers, but it takes discipline. You’ve got to think about your roping--your run, (not the style of the day) and rope appropriately (steer for steer, rather than round for round). In round two, Brown & Lucero knocked it back and hammered one in 3 (seconds) for a first place check of $17,512.00, but in round 9 got out late and had to follow a steer around for 12 seconds to win $44,909.00. At this year’s NFR their game was about catching, and their only competitors were themselves.
Arguably, five other teams were in it to catch, however, the majority of the 14 teams that went out of the average, played for speed. Two teams impressively caught 9 of their 10 steers (Brazile & Smith and B. Tryan & Long). Three teams caught 8. And while each of the 14 placed in at least one round, Brazile & Smith placed in a total of 8 out of 10 rounds, seating one of the top 3 slots in 5 of those 8 rounds. As day-money leaders they won close to $84,000 and were given a 2nd place check for the average. Though, Daniel and Twissleman didn’t win a single round they roped nine out of 10 steers too, seating consistently 2nd or 3rd in four rounds, taking one 4th place (round 8), earning a total of about $54,000 in day-money.
Not far behind Brazile & Smith in day money, were fierce gun-slingers, Brady Tryan and his heeler Jake Long. Though they missed two of their 10 steers, they won rounds 4 (3.5 sec.) and 7 (3.9 sec.), placed 2nd in rounds 3 and 6, picked up additional checks in rounds 8 and 10, earning the second highest round-money total of around $70,000. I can’t argue with those figures.
Certainly, this year’s day-money strategist chalked up the chips with each round. However they and their many opponents faced and suffered considerable risk. By the 3rd round 5 teams were already out of the average; by the 5th round 11 teams were out, leaving 8 guys a guaranteed minimal payoff of over $21,000.00 just by tangling up 5 more steers. In the 6th round another team went down increasing the Average payoff to almost $29,000.00, and by the end of the 7th round 14 teams were out leaving Brown & Lucero almost FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS just for doing what they do everyday on 3 remaining steers. As an “Average” winner, and one who’s always searching for that path of guaranteed money, it’s a no-brainer for me…“Come on man!”
Admittedly, we all enjoy today’s high speed in the roping arena. It’s impressive, exciting, and keeps the show alive, but when we’re talking a 10 header, roping for speed with disregard for catching glares a lack of event-integrity. But who cares, right? I think I’m the only one. I also believe average payoffs should pay those and only those who went the distance, ate the whole elephant, caught all their steers. Where else in rodeo do they pay average money to a team that didn’t catch all steers? When only one finals team catches all 10 steers, that’s a mighty feat, and that team should be rewarded with mighty recognition and a mighty check. “Average money should go to Average winners. not competitors who came close.
Until the producers set a new bar (highlighting average compensation) we won’t see significant “average” competition. Voiding all integrity, NFR producers encourage speed and the gamble for “day money” (why hell, we’re in Las Vegas, that’s what they do), leaving “average” winning it’s nickel’s worth of consideration. .
The sad thing is all those talented ropers we just watched will probably go on and to their credit probably add another finals feather to their hat, only to come back and cast their fate away again with their day-money loops. The average is merely an aftermath. For most competitors, there it will sit, the surest way to win, hidden in the shadows of discipline.
That’s all I know…
Rope Smart!
The Lion
Friday, December 10, 2010
Deja Vu?? - Mistakes Repeated in 2010
Am I watching the 2009 NFR or is it 2010? It’s the 9th round and again there’s only one team that has caught all steers. Back in the day, it was not unusual to have only one team catch all 10 because back in the day there was an ability problem, hence the reason for 3 loops. Today, the problem is not in their ability, it’s in their head. Last night at the conclusion of the 8th go ‘round, 12.9 won 5th in the round, yet I ask, “Where were the other 9 teams?” My guess is they stepped out of their hotel rooms, threw their ropes and hit the strip. It’s the N-F-R boys, we play to win the game. Come on man!
When you stumble across the Camarillo name in the rodeo archives the definition reads: we rope for food. Along the way you may win a significant trophy like an NFR buckle, or 6, but it was serious salsa every time we backed in the box. Never…I repeat NEVER, any mucking around. We always showed up, and we always left some kind of evidence that we’d meant business. If a partner took a flash-shot and cost you a paycheck being a show off he was fired on the spot. I had a hot-shot heading for me one time try to ocean wave one to please the crowd and his fancy ocean wave-off! cost me a perpetual award that had a $5,000.00 bonus to it. As you guessed, I gave him the rest of his life (with me) off.
Today, catching 10 head pays two and a half times the money of what a round pays. Do the math. To the NFR qualifier I ask, “Did you work all year long to make it to the NFR so you could gamble it all away? Did you go to Vegas intending to launch your rope from the hotel room and get back to the slot machine as fast as you can or did you go to Vegas to do business?” Understandably, my plan for a competitor my be completely my own, nevertheless, it pains me to watch the many careless mistakes. “Just catching” 10 steers buys a lot of groceries boys. As well, it just might get you a gold buckle.
That’s all I know…
Rope Smart!
The Lion
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
million dollar team roping cooper camarillo
If you are going to Las Vegas for the NFR, then run out to the Million Dollar roping at South Pointe and watch two legends rope on Tuesday. Roy Cooper and Jerold Camarillo! There is young guns, and there are champions. You might want to bet on the latter. Two of the worlds best known ropers in tie down as well as team roping will partner up and compete at 4pm on Tueday December 7th, at the South Pointe. You really need to be there. Good luck Jerold!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Changing the Game - How the Camarillo Family Revolutionized the Sport of Rodeo
If you love team roping, and the history of rodeo, you're going to want to get your hands on a copy of Changing the Game - How the Camarillo Family Revolutionized the Sport of Rodeo. Its going to be available Fall 2010. Watch the trailer at: www.facebook.com/changingthegamedvd
Young Guns
Jerold gets excited everytime a new student masters a lesson, or he hears about students doing well. He has lots to be proud of this month. A number of his students (all adults) competed at the ACTRA Finals in California and numerous youth students competed at the junior high, and high school level rodeos as well. The Camarillo's also had a good showing at the NCJRA Finals last month where students placed well and collected awards and cash, including a Steer Stopping Year End Champion Title. The JHSRA first two District 5 rodeos of the season were held in conjunction with the first two District 5 HSRA rodeos. There were numerous Camarillo students, both boys and girls, competing and placing. Two Camp Jerold cowboys, (one each from jr. high & high school) faired very well. The high school cowboy won a 1st/2nd in Tie Down Roping and 1st in the Average, 1st/3rd Team Roping (as a Header) and 1st in the Average, Senior All-Around Cowboy. The junior high competitor finished with a 1st/1st Breakaway, 1st/2nd Ribbon Roping, 1st Team Roping (as a Heeler), 1st/1st Goat Tying, Junior All-Around Cowboy. Note: the JHSRA rodeos did not have an average. Other Camp Jerold students did well, placing in various events. In the past 6 months there has been a steady increase in youth students at the teaching arena (Camp Jerold) in Oakdale, CA and you can see the competition heating up at the rodeos throughout California. There was a steady stream of new and advanced students (youth and adults) last week, but there is always room to schedule lessons, including multi-day, stay over lessons. Leo is in Arizona and conducts lessons for youth and adults on a regular basis as well.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Camarillos Receive Top Honor at Oakdale Cowboy Museum's Annual Benefit Dinner
This year, the board of directors at the Oakdale Cowboy Museum has selected Leo, Jerold, and Reg Camarillo as their honorees. No stranger to awards, this one hits home, literally. Leo and Jerold moved to Oakdale at a young age relocating from a ranch in Santa Ynez. The boys, along with their cousin Reg have put the Camarillo name at the forefront of Team Roping with many successful wins, NFR appearances and inductions into the PRCA Hall of Fame to name a few. PRCA Director of Communications Kendra Santos said of the Camarillo's influence, "It's not a stretch to say that the Camarillos revolutionized team roping. They are true pioneers and living legends in the cowboy community, and will go down in history among the sport's all-time greats. Leo, Jerold and Reg showed up with that rare combination of natural talent and tireless work ethic. Their discipline and fierce competitive spirit could not be denied. They were a dominant force that raised the roping bar forever". Leo says the change in Team Roping was born out of necessity. "We found that when roping in a pasture with tall grass, the 'trap loop' which was the style back then didn't work. We found that by getting in time or rhythm with the steer, we could rope the hind feet while still in the air. This new way cut seconds off the old style and subsequently changed the game."
You'll still see Jerold and Leo regularly competing in roping competitions. This weekend, Jerold Camarillo will be competing in the 55th Annual Oakdale Ten Steer. A nearly week long 10 steer marathon that has become an iconic roping event on the West Coast. What is perhaps even more pleasing to youth and adult ropers alike is that Jerold and Leo have slowed down their competition schedule and opened up more time for individualized roper and rope-horse training. Both Leo and Jerold conduct regular lessons for adults and youth in California, Arizona and other locations by request. Congratulations to all three Camarillos for being honored at this year's Oakdale Cowboy Museum annual benefit dinner.
You'll still see Jerold and Leo regularly competing in roping competitions. This weekend, Jerold Camarillo will be competing in the 55th Annual Oakdale Ten Steer. A nearly week long 10 steer marathon that has become an iconic roping event on the West Coast. What is perhaps even more pleasing to youth and adult ropers alike is that Jerold and Leo have slowed down their competition schedule and opened up more time for individualized roper and rope-horse training. Both Leo and Jerold conduct regular lessons for adults and youth in California, Arizona and other locations by request. Congratulations to all three Camarillos for being honored at this year's Oakdale Cowboy Museum annual benefit dinner.
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