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