Until Next Time - In Conclusion...

Well this is it, we've gone as far as this road can take us. Now you're on your own, but I have faith that you'll do just fine. 

Just remember the basic things, like your throws and your plays, and don't be afraid to ask others for help or advice. Ultimate Frisbee is a social sport and there are tons of friendly people out there that would be more than happy to get you into the game, so don't hold back!

Into this blog I have put all I know about Ultimate Frisbee in the hope that others can learn from it and become players themselves. But just because I have divulged all of my knowledge does not mean there is nothing more to be learned. Like many other things, Ultimate Frisbee is ever-evolving. New strategies will be made, new throws will be learned, and great plays will be had for generations to come. All we have to do is play. Good deal, isn't it?

Ultimate!

First Hand Experience - An Interview

I recently had the chance to ask some Ultimate Frisbee veterans a few questions about the game. Here's what they had to say.

Also, apologies for the weird white text background. I can't seem to get it to go away so I made the text a different color to make it as readable as possible. I think Blogger doesn't like me very much.

Ishan J.

What has your experience been playing Ultimate Frisbee? Have you enjoyed it?

It's been a fun game which I can play with my friends. 

Do you believe Ultimate Frisbee has been beneficial to you as a person? Why or why not?

Of course. Great physical activity, good way to hang out with friends, good way to relieve stress.

 
The article "Got disc? The 'Ultimate' experience in physical education" believes that Ultimate Frisbee would be an excellent physical activity for children and teenagers in school, what do you think about the possible addition of Ultimate Frisbee in schools?

Would be a great addition to schools. It's a relatively safe sport and that doesn't need to be made safer for kids to play. Also its a relatively easy sport to pick up. Throwing and catching a Frisbee is easier than throwing and catching a football or kicking a soccer ball. Easier to learn means that more people would be willing to play and feel more accepted while playing.

The article "The tactical games model sport experience" discuses how tactical physical games benefit the human body and the human psyche. How do you think Ultimate could benefit someone psychologically?

Helps in the way of keeping people relaxed by relieving stress. Also helps train the mind to work with a team which can help later on in life. Can help with planning if actual strategy is used in the games however I see this as not being a thing that would happen a lot.

Wilson V.

What has your experience been playing Ultimate Frisbee? Have you enjoyed it?

I've been a huge fan of ultimate since my first game. When I was a beginner, I was really nervous about screwing up, but I've always enjoyed it. It's a great game for pre made teams or pick up groups. I've met awesome people and created lasting memories playing ultimate. It's always fun to reminisce on the huge play that someone made. Ultimate has a wonderful ebb and flow that makes it really exciting to play. One second the disc is going towards the end zone, and has switched possession in another. I play for the social interaction and the big plays.

Do you believe Ultimate Frisbee has been beneficial to you as a person? Why or why not?

I think that I've gained a lot from ultimate. I'm always trying to make my communication more effective, and Ultimate usually requires a little bit of that. It's helped me become patient with people who are new to the game. This consideration for new players translates over to other activities as well. The "Spirit of the Game" aspect of ultimate has helped me become a more honorable opponent. I always try to make the fair call, even if that means losing a point. While Ultimate might not be the first topic I think of when I hear self-improvement, I can comfortably say I've benefited a lot from the sport. 

The article "Got disc? The 'Ultimate' experience in physical education" believes that Ultimate Frisbee would be an excellent physical activity for children and teenagers in school, what do you think about the possible addition of Ultimate Frisbee in schools?

Ultimate would translate extremely well into the school system. The fact that other team sports like football, basketball, and soccer are so popular as physical education is proof of this. Ultimate is also a great spectator sport, given its fast pace.  It's a non-contact sport with an emphasis on sportsmanship. Everything checks out.

The article "The tactical games model sport experience" discuses how tactical physical games benefit the human body and the human psyche. How do you think Ultimate could benefit someone psychologically?

Playing Ultimate offers a lot of psychological perks that might be taken for granted. During a game, you sometimes have to make difficult decisions quickly. Learning from previous experience and knowing strategy can help one with decision making. Again, I've made a bunch of friends playing Ultimate and have become a more effective communicator because of the game. It's hard to argue that being placed in a scenario where communication is key doesn't positively affect one's psychological development.

That's what they have to say for Ultimate Frisbee, what do you think?

Johnson, T. G., Darst, P. W., & Brusseau, T. A. (2006). "got disc?" the "ultimate" experience in physical education. Journal of physical education, recreation and dance, 77(9), 27-33

Carpenter, E. J. (2010) The tactical games model sport experience: An examination of student motivation and game performance during an ultimate frisbee unit. (Doctoral dissertation), Available from Scholarworks of Umass Amherst

The Ultimate Podcast

Today is podcast day!

Apologies for my sick person voice, I'm battling a cold. Enjoy!

Hubbard, M., & Hummel, S.A. (2000). Simulation of frisbee flight. Informally published academic manuscript, Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California.

Patterson, L. (2011). 'the dynamics of the disc:' ultimate (frisbee), community, & memory, 1968-2011.1 (Master's thesis), Available from Concordia University Spectrum Research Repository

Griggs, G. (2009). 'kist a sport made up in a car park?': The 'soft' landscape of Ultimate Frisbee. Social and cultural geography, 10(7), 757-770. Doi:10.1080/14649360903205124

Kerins, A.J. (2005) Relax dude, we just play for fun! The flatlining trajectory of recreation specialization in the context of ultimate frisbee. (Master's thesis),Texas A&M University.

Injuries in Ultimate Frisbee - An Infographic

Guest Blog - Julie V.

My name is Julie V. and I have just discovered the sport Ultimate Frisbee. Before reading Lane’s blog, I had no idea what Ultimate Frisbee involved or how it was played. I used to think a Frisbee was just a dog’s toy. It was not until recently that I played Disc Golf.  Who knew playing with Frisbees could be so fun yet so hard! Now I am trying to learn the art of Ultimate Frisbee and Lane’s blog has really helped me.

Based on what I have read from Lane’s blog, Ultimate Frisbee takes a lot of:

• arm strength
• hand-eye coordination
• strategy and
• skill

There are many rules to the game and seems much more difficult than simply throwing the Frisbee from person to person. I plan on practicing my forehand throw, backhand throw, and flick moves. The next time I find an open field, I will gather up a couple of friends to play some Ultimate Frisbee!

Strategy on the Battlefield Part 2 - Defense

There can be no offense without a defense. As an Ultimate Frisbee player, one must know how to play on both sides of the disc. At any time a point can change from an all-out attack to an on-the-heels defense. In this case, it's better to be not be "on your heels" when defense comes knocking.

Defense in Ultimate Frisbee normally comes pretty naturally. Guard people, stop throws, keep the Frisbee from getting into your end zone; easy stuff. However, if the effort is organized confusion and question will never be and issue and efficiency will be the only concern.

Unlike offense, there aren't any special terms for the players on defense. Everyone on the defensive end constitutes a defender, and while they each have their own job to do, the kind of defense doesn't change from player to player.

There are, however, still key things that need to be done in order to be effective. When covering a cutter it is the defender's job to keep up with them at all times and cover avenues through which the handlers could pass. When covering a handler, the defender stands a few feet away from them and attempts to cover the pass without physical contact. As soon as the defender reaches the handler holding the disc they are allowed to begin a "stall call". To perform a stall call the defender will count from one to ten saying "stall one, stall two..." in a time frame close to a second. If the player hasn't thrown the disc by the count of 10 then the disc is forfeit to the defending team.

Now on to the plays.

This play is called man to man defense, also known as man on. In this picture the blue team, the offense, is attempting to pass down the field and score. The red team, the defenders, are playing man to man defense in an attempt to cover all possible means of moving the Frisbee forward. In this play the defenders are tasked with staying on the man they are assigned to at all times. If the defender is covering a cutter they will be following the cutter's every movement on the field trying to stop the Frisbee from getting to them. If a defender is covering a handler they will be attempting to block the handlers throw and will be calling stalls. This play is incredibly straight forward and easy to use.

This play is called zone defense. This play consists of a few crucial parts: the cup, the wing-men, the middle man, and the safety. The cup is a unique way of covering handlers. In a play using a cup, three defensive players will have the task of forming a semi-circle around the player with the Frisbee at all times. These defenders must stand at least 15 feet away and sprint to every throw from the handlers, making this one of the most tiring roles in Frisbee. Next is the wing-men. These two defenders stand on the right and left sides of the field and are tasked with stopping cutters from being passed the disc. Third is the middle man. This defender stands near the middle of the field near the middle of the offensive stack and watches for cuts straight up the field or to the side and rear. Lastly there is the safety. This defensive player is tasked with keeping any long throws from happening, but can also guard throws to the back sides of the offensive stack. Zone defense can be a little confusing and very convoluted but can pay off immensely with large defensive plays.

There you have the two most prominent defensive plays. Zone may be a bit harder to explain and implement in a pick-up game, but be persistent and the time will come to use it. As with anything involving Ultimate Frisbee, practice makes perfect. Man and zone guarding are both very difficult and require a large amount of skill and agility. Knowing what kind of offense or defense to use, however, will certainly help on the battlefield.

Defense in ultimate frisbee. (2004, November 21). Retrieved from http://www.hartdesign.us/vansaunultimate/html/defense.html

Strategy on the Battlefield Part 1 - Offense

A firm understanding of Ultimate Frisbee doesn't mean much if a team can't score. Any team can run out onto a field and throw a disc until it ends up in an end zone, but the coordinated teams are the ones that strike the fastest and hardest and score the most reliably. This post will cover offensive strategy in Ultimate Frisbee both as a team and as an individual. 

All offensive strategies follow the same basic principle: get the Frisbee down the field with as little hassle as possible and score. To do this Ultimate Frisbee players came up with plays to move the disc from player to player. These plays have been time tested and run thousand and thousands of times on the field and have proven to be some of the most effective ways to score. 

Before getting into detail about the plays, however, it is important to go over two crucial aspects; cutters and handlers. Handlers are the players towards the back of the field who are tasked with passing up the field to other players, and cutters are the players out in the field making cuts. A cut is performed when a player is running in one direction and quickly cuts to another direction. This is most often used to shake off defenders and get open for passes. Typically, a handler will pass to a cutter and cutter the will look for an open pass in front of them. If the cutter can't find an open pass within a few seconds the cutter will pass the Frisbee back behind them a short distance to a handler and the process will begin again. 

Now on to the plays.

This play is called the vertical stack. In the image, the blue team has the Frisbee and is attempting to pass down the field to score. To set up for this play the blue team has three handlers in the backfield and four cutters set up in a vertical stack standing still. When the disc is called in the cutters, in no particular order, will begin to cut outwards from the stack and make cuts in the sides of the field. The cutters will cut at different times and move away from each other in an attempt to give the handler as many options as possible. From time to time cutters may even have the chance to break off from the pack and go far down the field for a long pass, also known as a huck. If the handler unable to pass the disc to any of the cutters for an extended period of time then he or she will pass to one of the other handlers. When this happens the cutters will reset the vertical stack and begin the play again. This play is extremely straight forward and easy to execute making it the bread and butter play for a majority of teams.

This play is called the horizontal stack. While a bit less prominent than the vertical stack, this play can still be very effective. When the disc is called in the cutters will begin to run up and down the field (vertically) in their respective lanes at different intervals. When an opportunity is presented a cut will be made from the lane in an attempt to receive a pass. If the cutter does not receive the pass they will go back to their area, or another open area. Just as in the vertical stack, once a pass is caught up-field the cutter will look for another pass to make and if there are no open options they will throw back to one of the handlers. This play can prove to be a bit more confusing, but can open large holes in the defense allowing for consistent gains.

Those are the two plays most commonly seen on the field. If you find yourself playing in an unorganized game try and explain one of the plays in between points and try it out. There can be no team without a defense, however. Part two will cover the most common defensive plays in the world of Ultimate Frisbee.

Duraney, W. (2009, March 09). Offensive strategies for ultimate frisbee. Retrieved from http://www.helium.com/items/1370565-ultimate-offensive-strategy-stacks

Toss Up - Part 2

Now that the starter throws are out of the way and the basic toolkit is complete it's time to cover the crazier stuff. These are the throws that are situational and sometimes a bit risky, but very rewarding.

This post will cover three of the most advanced throws that a player can have in his arsenal. Just as in the last post, if you are a left hand dominant player, the instructions will be on the opposite side of the body. There will be pictures accompanying each description to aid the learning process.

The first throw in this post is a modified version of the backhand throw known as a lift pass or lift throw. This throw operates identically to the standard backhand, but instead of just throwing the disc out from the body, the disc will be thrown upwards and outwards. This is done from a standing position with the disc a bit under shoulder height. The player will push equal portions upward and outward, releasing the disc at the peak of height with a large flick of the wrist to give it a good amount of spin. If performed properly, the disc will go up for a few feet and then quickly drop back towards the ground all while moving forward. This throw is very useful for getting around defenders, but it can easily be blocked or intercepted.

The second throw, covered in this post is what's known as a push pass. The push pass is a lot like the lift pass in style, just reversed to the other side of the body. The grip requires four fingers under the disc and the thumb on the lip forming a c-like shape. Then, to throw the disc, the player starts with the disk at shoulder height or higher with the elbow slightly bent and pushes outward quickly with a small bit of spin clockwise on the disc. This throw is extremely difficult to master, as the disc never really seems to want to cooperate. A balance of force and speed are required to achieve balance. This pass is mainly used to catch defenders off guard in short-range passing situations. 

The last throw that will be covered, and by far the most peculiar of the whole bunch, is the scoober. Yes, you read that correctly. This throw is an odd combination of the hammer, a lift pass and a flick all rolled into one. The grip is identical to the flick with two fingers on the inside and the thumb on the outside, but the disk is going to be on your left and upside down. To throw this, stretch your arm out at a 45 degree angle to the ground with the disc upside down in a flick grip and lever your arm at the elbow and throw outwards, just like a flick. This throw is extremely difficult to use effectively because the disc will be upside down in the air, and Frisbees don't behave particularly well upside down. This pass is rarely used, but it can be used to throw around defenders and to the left side of the field.

There you have it. A collection of throws in Ultimate Frisbee from the basic to the downright uncanny. Learning to perform any throw well takes time and practice. Passing back and forth with a friend is a great way to get your bearings, or try out that crazy throw you saw online. Either way, the oldest of sayings holds true here: practice makes perfect.

Toss Up - Part 1

The basics have been covered and you're ready to hit the field. There's one tiny problem though, you don't know how to throw a Frisbee! Fear not, another two part post is coming to satisfy your disc throwing needs. It's time to cover how to throw a Frisbee.

This post will cover three of the most common throws used in the game of Ultimate Frisbee. These throws are some of the most used in the game and are great tools for and player. These will be reversed if you are a left hand dominant player. Each of the throws described here will have a corresponding picture to help show the throwing process.

First off is the most basic of all throws, the standard backhand. For this throw, the player brings the disc across to his or her left side and in a twisting motion brings the arm from left to right in a quick motion, releasing the Frisbee in the process. This throw hinges on the players ability to move their body during a throw and flick their wrist outwards during the disc release. This is the throw that comes most naturally to most people who have used a Frisbee, so getting the hang of this one shouldn't prove too difficult over time.

Second on the list is the next most basic of all throws, the forehand throw, also known as the flick. To perform this throw the player grips the disc with the index and middle finger together on the underside and the thumb in it's natural position on the lip. The throw itself is quite simple. The player extends their arm to the right, leaving the elbow bent. The player then flicks their hand forward with a slight bit of arm movement and voila, a flick. Despite being a very basic throw, this one takes many players the longest amount of time to master. It's counter-intuitive minimalistic gestures can send any beginner for a loop. This one takes lots of time and practice to find the sweet spot.

Third and last on this list is the most advanced (and odd) of the basic throws. This throw is known as the hammer. For this throw, take a grip identical to the one used for a flick. As seen in the picture, put the arm over the head with the disc near the center of the body and the elbow bent backwards. To throw the disc, keep it near a 45 degree angle from the ground and in a quick motion lever your arm forward at the elbow and flick the disc out from the hand. This throw can be a real stickler, but once mastered it can be one of the most powerful in a player's arsenal, allowing the player to throw over entire groups of defenders.

These three throws constitute the basic toolkit for an ultimate player. One throw from the left, one throw from the right, and one throw over the top. In the second part of this post, we'll discuss three more advanced throws, some that are practical and some that are not. Either way, it's better to understand a throw than to be left confused.

The Ultimate Crash Course - Part 2

So now that you know the basics, it's time to really learn how to play Ultimate Frisbee. While it is not an incredibly complex game this post will cover a whole lot of information, so take the time to read until everything clicks.

Explaining every rule separately would be very difficult, so we're going to observe an example point in Ultimate Frisbee which I will narrate and explain. Afterwards there will be a recap to make sure all the important points are obvious.

Here is an example Ultimate Frisbee field with two teams of seven, ready to play. First thing is first, to start the point, one of the teams (the blue team on the left in this case) must throw the Frisbee to the other team across the field; this is the throw-off. The opposite team (the red team on the right) will then retrieve the Frisbee and attempt to work it's way up the field.

One of the most important rules in Ultimate Frisbee now comes into play. This rule states that whoever is in possession of the Frisbee must not move from the place they are standing. The red team has obtained the Frisbee and is now passing up the field, each player stopping in place once they get the disc. If the red team successfully passes all the way up to the opposing end zone, they score a point. 

But what about the blue team? They have to be doing something while the red team attacks, right? The team that does not currently have possession of the Frisbee is tasked with keeping the attacking team out of the defending end zone. The blue team has to do whatever they can to keep the red team from scoring, barring physical harm or roughing. In this example, the blue team intercepted a pass from the red team and passed it back the other direction to score in the red goal.

This brings up another very important rule in Ultimate Frisbee. If the disc ever hits the ground after being thrown or is intercepted by the defending team then the defending team gains possession of the Frisbee and becomes the attacking team. This is a turnover, and it is a crucial part of Ultimate Frisbee.

So let's review the main points from this crash course:

• One team throws to the other to start the point
• The goal of the attacking team is to pass the disc up the field and catch it in the end zone to score
• The goal of the defending team is to keep the attacking team from scoring, optimally by causing a turnover and attacking to score
• Once someone comes into possession of the Frisbee they must stop in place
• If the Frisbee hits the ground possession is turned over to the defending team

There you have it. Those are the things anyone needs to know to play Ultimate Frisbee. Consider yourself prepared. There are even more rules, but they are more akin to nuances and will be discussed at some point in the future. Now get out there and play some Frisbee.

What is ultimate frisbee?. (2000, August 14). Retrieved from http://www.whatisultimate.com/what/what_game_en.html

The Ultimate Crash Course - Part 1

Like many other sports, Ultimate Frisbee revolves around a set of conventions and rules. Things such as field size, disc type, scoring, and fouls all fit into these categories. This post will cover the basic things you need to know to be able to play Ultimate Frisbee. In the not-too-distant future we'll be talking about the more nuanced rules and regulations, but for now we'll be sticking to the basics.

To play Ultimate Frisbee, one must first understand the game they are playing. Here are some of the most basic pieces of the Ultimate formula.

• Ultimate Frisbee can be played in any flat, open area inside a field akin to a football field. (see figure 1)
• The Frisbee, or disc typically used is a standard size, 175 gram Frisbee. Discraft Frisbees are a fine example.
• There are typically seven players to a team making for 14 on the field at once.
• There are no referees in Ultimate Frisbee, so it is up to the players to be honest and fair. This is called the Spirit of the Game (more on that in another post). 

Figure 1. A typical Ultimate Frisbee Field 

Now you know the absolute basics of Ultimate Frisbee including field layout and number of players. But wait! That doesn't mean you're ready to take on the world quite yet. There is still a lot more to learn. Fortunately, this is only part one of a two part crash course in Ultimate Frisbee. Part two will delve into the specific rules that form the game, and will prepare you to play the game of Ultimate Frisbee. 

Bridging the Gap - The Start of Something New

Ultimate Frisbee is an established, yet growing sport played around the world. The game revolves around the use of a Frisbee and a field slightly larger than an American football field. This sport is still in its infant stages, however. While there are many players and places to play, organized play is just gaining a foothold and detailed information is somewhat difficult to come by.

Therefore I will be making this blog as a place for all things Ultimate Frisbee. This will include:

     ·         Basic and advanced guides on how to play Ultimate Frisbee

     ·         Details on tournaments, local and non-local

     ·         How to practice for Ultimate Frisbee     

     ·         Injuries and how to avoid them

     ·         Cultural and communal implications of Ultimate Frisbee

This is only the tip of the Frisbee. There is much more to talk about and I will be going into detail about everything Ultimate Frisbee as I create this blog.

A blog such as this may seem trivial, but take a look at the informational options currently available. There are websites that can explain the basics of Ultimate Frisbee such as usaultimate.org or ultimatefrisbeerules.org, but these websites merely explain the game and how it is played. An easily accessible, organic, first-hand-experience guide to Ultimate Frisbee is not readily available. This blog will help fill that void.

Why am I qualified to write such a detailed blog? I have been playing Ultimate Frisbee for six years and have played in most every play setting available. This includes intramural, pick-up, collegiate, and tournament; the four main ways Ultimate Frisbee is played today.

The mission of this blog is to become a place where any player, beginner or veteran, can visit and learn something they may not have known. It will be a source for any and all to understand the wonderful game of Ultimate Frisbee.