If you’re under the age of 50, you can probably remember a time, not so long ago, when you and your friends would throw around a circular disc of molded plastic for fun. Since the invention of the frisbee, this cheap, unassuming discus has entertained dogs, children, and young adults. The basics of frisbee involve tossing it to one another over great distances. It’s catch, but with extra steps, and while it is enjoyable, it isn’t all that complicated. We assume that this why someone decided to take frisbee up a notch.
This brings us to Ultimate Frisbee, a fast-paced and exciting team sport that combines elements of soccer, basketball, and football all into one. Despite how complicated it might sound at first glance, Ultimate Frisbee is actually quite easy to learn. It doesn’t require a lot of equipment and it’s a perfect sport for kids, especially kids who love to run, jump, and work together.
In this article, we will teach you everything you or your child needs to know in order to get started. We will help you to understand the rules and learn the basic throws, so that by the time you’re ready to play, you’ll be an absolute expert!
What Is Ultimate Frisbee?
Despite some of its football-like rules, Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact team sport. The game is played between two teams, each aiming to score points by catching the Frisbee in the opposing team’s end zone. The game is played on a field similar in size to a football field, but it can also be adapted for smaller spaces like parks or backyards, if necessary. This means it’s frightfully easy to set up, so all you really need is a Frisbee and some friends to throw it around.
One unique aspect of the sport is that there is no referee. Ultimate Frisbee is self-officiated, meaning players are responsible for calling fouls and ensuring fair play. Thus, there is a serious focus on sportsmanship and honesty. Those who toss around the disc know this sense of sportsmanship and honesty by another term; it’s called the “Spirit of the Game” and is one of the sport’s most important principles.
How to Play Ultimate Frisbee
The other rules of Ultimate Frisbee are pretty simple, making it an easy sport for children to pick up. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the game is played:
1. Teams and Players
- Ultimate Frisbee is typically played with seven players on each team. This number is more for official games, but you can always adjust the number of players depending on the size of your group.
- Teams can be made up of boys, girls, or a mix of both, making it a great co-ed sport for children.
2. The Field
- A standard Ultimate Frisbee field is along 70 yards long and 40 yards wide, with two 20-yard end zones at each end.
- If your home or neighborhood doesn’t have space for a full field, just mark out two smaller end zones and adjust the field size to fit your area.
3. Starting the Game
- Each game begins with a “pull,” where one team throws the Frisbee down the field to the other team.
- The receiving team starts with possession of the titular frisbee and tries to advance it toward the opposing team’s end zone.
4. Moving the Frisbee
- One hard and fast rule is that players cannot run while holding the Frisbee. Once you catch the frisbee, you must establish a pivot foot and pass it to a teammate.
- That said, the Frisbee can be thrown in any direction, but it must be caught in the air by a teammate in order to keep possession.
5. Scoring Points
- To score a point, a player must catch the Frisbee in the opposing team’s end zone.
- Each goal that a team gets is worth one point. After a score, the teams switch sides, and the game restarts with another pull.
6. Turnovers
- If the Frisbee hits the ground for any reason, a turnover occurs. The same is true if the Frisbee is intercepted, goes out of bounds, or is dropped by the receiving player.
- When a turnover happens, the opposing team immediately takes possession of the Frisbee and tries to score in the opposite direction.
7. Fouls and Fair Play
- Again, we must make it very clear that Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport. Therefore, players must avoid physical contact with other players whenever possible. Nevertheless, fouls do happen from time to time. If a foul does occurs, the players involved discuss it and agree on a resolution.
- This is where the Spirit of the Game comes in to play. The very establishment of that credo encourages players to be honest, respectful, and fair at all times.
Essential Skills for Ultimate Frisbee
To play Ultimate well, players will need to master a few basic skills. Here are the most important ones for young athletes to learn:
Throwing the Frisbee
To play the game, you need to throw the disc. There are several types of throws that players can use in Ultimate Frisbee, but the two most common are:
Backhand Throw: This is the most classic Frisbee throw and the one that you might not even realize you use whenever you find yourself throwing a Frisbee. To do this throw, simply hold the Frisbee with your fingers under the rim and your thumb on top. Pull your arm across your body and release the Frisbee with a flick of your wrist.
Forehand Throw (or Flick): The forehand throw requires a little more control and finesse than the backhand. First, hold the Frisbee with your thumb on top and your index and middle fingers under the rim before swinging your arm forward and flick your wrist to send the Frisbee spinning.
Catching the Frisbee
In Ultimate Frisbee, catching is just as important as throwing. If you’re a dog playing the game, there’s really only one way to catch the darn thing. However, if you’re a human, you have two main catching techniques at your disposal:
Pancake Catch: This method involves using both hands to clap down on the Frisbee, like you’re catching a sandwich. This is the safest and most reliable catch.
Two-Handed Rim Catch: If you’re particularly adept at Frisbee or want to look a little more impressive, you can try the two-handed rim catch. To accomplish this, simply grab the edge of the Frisbee with both hands. Note that this catch is most useful for high or low throws.
Running and Cutting
- In Ultimate Frisbee, players need to move quickly to get open for a pass or to defend against opponents.
- Kids should practice making sharp cuts, or quick changes in direction. This will help them learn to shake off defenders and create space for a pass.
Strategies for Success
Ultimate Frisbee isn’t just about throwing and catching…though that is the vast majority of it. Nevertheless, the game is also about working together with teammates and employing effective strategies, Here are some tips to help your team play better:
Spread Out
Don’t crowd around the Frisbee. players should spread out across the field so that teammates have space to move and pass.
Communicate
Have your kid talk to their teammates! Teach them to communicate when they are open for a pass or how to warn them about approaching defenders.
Play Smart Defense
On defense, teach kids to stay between their opponent and the end zone to make it harder for them to catch the Frisbee. They could also try to “mark” the player with the Frisbee to block their throws.
Why Ultimate Frisbee Is Great for Kids
Ultimate Frisbee isn’t just fun—it’s also packed with benefits that make it a fantastic sport for young children to learn and play:
- Teamwork: Ultimate Frisbee teaches kids how to work together and rely on their teammates.
- Fitness: With all the running, jumping, and quick movements, Ultimate Frisbee is a great way for children to stay active and healthy.
- Sportsmanship: The Spirit of the Game emphasizes honesty, respect, and fair play, helping kids develop positive values right from the start.
- Inclusivity: Ultimate Frisbee is welcoming to players of all skill levels and can be played by boys, girls, or mixed teams.
Joining an Ultimate Frisbee Team
If your kid is really serious about playing Ultimate Frisbee, you might consider looking onto a local team or league for them to join. Many communities have youth Ultimate programs where likeminded kids can meet other players, learn advanced skills, and compete in games. Ultimate Frisbee is also played in some schools and at summer camps, so keep an eye out for opportunities for your child to join in.
Ultimate Frisbee Tips for Beginners
When starting a new sport, kids can sometimes feel overwhelmed. If that happens, these tips will help them to succeed in Ultimate Frisbee:
- Practice Your Throws: Have kids spend time working on their backhand and forehand throws to improve accuracy and power.
- Stay Active: Exercise is key to success. Have kids keep moving on the field to make it easier for their teammates to pass to them.
- Be Positive: Tell your child not to worry if they drop the Frisbee or miss a pass—mistakes are part of the game. The focus should be on having fun and improving.
- Encourage Your Team: Have kids cheer for their teammates and celebrate their successes to build a positive team atmosphere.
The Spirit of the Game: What Makes Ultimate Special
One of the standout features of Ultimate Frisbee is the emphasis on the Spirit of the Game. This concept is a guiding principle that values sportsmanship, respect, and fair play above all else. It teaches children important life lessons, like how to handle conflicts respectfully, play with integrity, and prioritize the joy of the game over winning at all costs.
Building Friendships Through Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is about community and teamwork, it is about good sportsmanship and inclusivity. Those who play Ultimate Frisbee are welcoming of all players, of all ages, from all backgrounds. The main emphasis of the sport is on communication, cooperation, and trust; not only of your team but for your opponents as well. The bond that players form while playing this amazing game can travel with them away from the sports field, and that’s what youth sports is all about.
If you or your child is interested in meeting new people or becoming part of a team, joining an Ultimate Frisbee league or club is a great way for both of you to make friends. It could be a real chance to enter into a positive, supportive community.
Ultimate Frisbee for Fitness and Health
Ultimate Frisbee is also a fantastic workout that benefits both body and mind. It can be helpful for athletic kids and those who need a little more exercise or social interaction. Below, we have listed some of the ways the sport can improve your child’s physical and mental fitness:
Cardiovascular Endurance: Ultimate Frisbee involves a lot of running, whether your child is chasing the Frisbee, sprinting to defend their opponent, or making quick cuts to get open. All this movement boosts heart health and builds stamina.
Strength and Agility: Jumping to catch the Frisbee, diving for a pass, and pivoting on one foot to throw all help develop a young athlete’s strength, coordination, and agility.
Flexibility: The movements in Ultimate Frisbee—stretching to catch a throw, bending for a low pass—improves a child’s flexibility over time.
Mental Health: Playing Ultimate is also great for a kid’s developing mental health. The combination of teamwork, exercise, and outdoor play helps reduce stress, improve a child’s mood, and boost their self-esteem.
The Future of Ultimate Frisbee
Many people might not realize it, but Ultimate Frisbee has grown tremendously in the past few decades. It has grown so much, in fact, that many players are hoping to see it included in the Olympics someday. As it turns out, there are actually some international efforts underway to make that dream into a reality. Unfortunately, those efforts have been largely unsuccessful.
Cultured Athlete Says…
As you can see, Ultimate Frisbee is more than just a game one plays on the college quad. This game has evolved into a full-blown sport that can help kids stay active, make friends, learn teamwork, and practice good sportsmanship in a self-governing capacity. Unlike other sports, Ultimate Frisbee allows young players to police themselves and adhere to the rules via self-determination. So grab a Frisbee, hit the local park, and teach your own children what it really means to toss around the disc!
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