If you are asking yourself what is Ultimate Frisbee or how to play ultimate frisbee, then you are in the right place. We will thoroughly cover these two questions below. Firstly we’ll cover what it is, for those of you who don’t know much about it, and then we’ll tell you all you need to know to play it. So if you are here to find out how to play ultimate Frisbee, just scroll on down.

For those of you who don’t know much about it, you should first know that the popularity of Ultimate Frisbee has skyrocketed in recent years, not only in the United States but also the rest of the world. It started as a simple pastime, but now the game has grown to become very competitive. In fact, due to its popularity, many organizations have been formed to oversee its development. The sport has grown to such appreciation that, in the near future it will be included in more and more international tournaments, such as the Olympic Games. The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) is among the most popular ultimate frisbee organizations in the US. Other countries such as Australia and Britain also have well-established bodies and associations that govern this sport. Rumor has it that ultimate Frisbee will feature in the Summer Olympics in the near future, since there are serious efforts being made for it to be included as an official team sport.

 

What Is Ultimate Frisbee?

Ultimate Frisbee is a team sport that involves two teams with an equal number of players (7 players each). The members work together to pass a frisbee disc, which looks like a flying saucer, from one person to another without dropping it, or without it being intercepted by the opposite team members. A team will score or get points after successfully passing the dish amongst themselves, without dropping it, and reach the other end of the ultimate frisbee field (opponents side). It combines elements of soccer, basketball, and American football where the teams need to have good passing skills, grace, power, and agility. The sport can be enjoyed by people of all ages. But in truth, the competitive sport is a fast-paced dynamic one, and it helps to be physically fit.

 

Who Came Up With Ultimate Frisbee?

According to records, the game was invented in 1968 by Joel Silver. He was a student at the Columbia High School in the US and was a member of the School Paper and Student Council. After their lunch, which was served in pie dishes, the students got into a habit of tossing the dishes amongst them. Slowly-by-slowly, this activity gained popularity and the number of students engaged in it grew.

During his visit to Mount Hernon in 1967, Joel played Frisbee Football and he tried to convince the students to also form a Frisbee Football team of their own. However, his suggestion was not taken seriously.

Despite the skepticism of his colleagues, over time, he and a few friends started organizing matches at lunchtime, which escalated sometimes over the weekends, and later included nights and school holidays. By the time he and his friends were leaving college in 1970, they had managed to create rules and regulations, some of which stand to date and govern Ultimate Frisbee. You can check the complete ultimate frisbee history here. Now that you know a bit more about what is ultimate frisbee, check out how to play it.

 

How To Play Ultimate Frisbee

Although along the years the game has turned into a serious sport, with its own well-established leagues and tournaments, learning how to play ultimate frisbee can be quite easy, if you follow the main points below:

 

1. Find A Playing Ground

The first step to playing ultimate frisbee is finding the right playing ground. It should be a flat open field and should measure at least 40 by 70 yards. This dimension can nonetheless be varied when not playing officially. It’s paramount to make certain the field of play is clear with no obstacles such as tree stumps, structures, rocks or any other things lying around, as this may trip and injure the players.

 

2. Mark the Ultimate Field

You should clearly mark the ultimate frisbee field for the players to know where the end zones are. The regulation size of the end zone is 20 yards deep. However, this can also be varied if not playing officially. Both end zones should be equal and visible and each team stands on its half before the play begins.

 

3. Form Two Teams

The rules of the game say that the participants have to form two teams of equal players. The official number of members of each team is 7 per side, but you can still play with fewer or more if it’s going to be a friendly unofficial match. However, when the number of people that play is smaller, it becomes more challenging as the player has to run faster, further, and work harder to stop the opponent. There are going to be higher chances of not getting it right. When teams are too big, this can create confusion and there is a chance of bumping into one another because of the crowded field. So, keep that in mind.

 

4. Starting The Game

With the players picked and the teams all set-up, the game can now begin. It helps to first go through the rules just to be clear and avoid halting the game because there is a dispute. The more accustomed the players are to the rules, the less the misunderstandings. Basic rules include avoiding contact, not holding on the disc for more than 10 seconds, and not dropping the disc on the ground. To choose the starting side, you can flip the Frisbee, toss a coin, or use any other method. The team that wins the coin toss will be handed the Frisbee to start the game.

 

5. How To Play The Actual Ultimate Frisbee Game

The starting team begins from their end zone with one player, puller, tossing the disc into the air towards the opponent’s side (this throw is called the “pull”). It is similar to how a player kicks off the ball in American Football. Every time a team scores, the game is stopped. The team that scored is supposed to remain in that end zone, and throws the pull and becomes the defensive team. So teams swap the direction of attack after each goal they score. Just like in American football, the puller should be in communication with his/her teammates and make sure they are all ready. The team members then run towards the opponent’s side to defend their territory. The goal is to intercept the disc that is being thrown at another person and trying to hang on it until you score.

Remember that there will be no running with the Frisbee. Once you catch it you must stop in your tracks and not advance with it, because that is called traveling. When you stop you can still move one foot, but the other one must be kept still. This is called pivoting and it is allowed.

 

6. In Bounds vs. Out Of Bounds in Ultimate Frisbee

When you throw a pull, the Frisbee disc can have a trajectory that curves out of bounds. But that is not a problem. It’s not out of bounds as long as the final landing point is in bounds. The catchers must always catch the Frisbee while in the field. You can jump to catch a Frisbee, but in order to keep it in-bounds, your landing point after the jump has to be inside the field of play. Yes, momentum from the jump can make you travel out of bounds after you landed. But that is acceptable, and all you have to do is return to the point you first landed in-bounds from your jump. However, if you land with your feet crossing the line, then you have to turn over the Frisbee to the opposing team.

 

7. Turnovers

In ultimate frisbee, a turnover means handing over the possession of the disc to the opposing team. A turnover occurs when you fail to catch a pass and drop the Frisbee on the ground, if the Frisbee is caught out of bounds, or if the defensive team manages to intercept the disc or to knock it down. You also hand over the Frisbee if you hold onto it longer than 10 seconds, the disc is handed from player to player and not actually thrown, the thrower catches their own throw without it being touched by another player, or when the offensive team throws a pull but the catcher drops it. After a turnover, the teams instantly resume play at the point where the disc was dropped.

 

8. Scoring in Ultimate Frisbee

A point is scored when the team with the Frisbee successfully passes it from one player to another (without dropping it on the ground, or being intercepted by the opponents) all the way until they reach the opponents’ end zone. To score, the player catching the frisbee must be standing in the end zone and will receive it from another player who is still in the field. If the catcher is jumping in the air to catch that final Frisbee pass, then he must land within the end zone in order to score.

 

9. Keeping scores

Unlike other games, this one does not rely on line judges, umpires, or referees. It is upon the players to self-regulate and this means being very open, honest, and exercising fair play. The teams will agree upon and deal with any fouls and penalties during the game and this is why it is always important to be very clear on the rules as any dispute may lead to a lot of disarray in the game. It is becoming common to have an independent observer who may help in keeping time and scores.

 

10. Ultimate Frisbee Is Point-based

The game does not have an allocated time for the duration of play. Instead, the game ends when a team scores 15 points. It’s possible for a game to end very fast especially when professionals are playing with amateurs. It’s may also last for one and half hours or even longer when the two teams are equally matched and both are experienced. Usually, the more the players, the shorter the playing duration.

 

Handy Tips

– The game is all about agility, grace, speed, and accuracy. You can become better at it through regular practice. You should try to toss the disc accurately, make a fast catch, throw at a long distance, maintain the right pose, and most importantly, ensure you are holding it in the right manner.

– Gear up accordingly. Here is the comprehensive list of ultimate frisbee gear that you should check out.

– Practice makes perfect, so be sure to check our tips and guides in order to get better.

 

A Brief Recap Of The Rules Of Ultimate Frisbee

Like other sports, Ultimate is also governed by rules. This is aimed at making the game better and more organized. Generally, there should be two teams each comprising of seven players. However, you can still play with fewer but not less than four members. It’s important to choose an open field that measures at minimum 70 x 40 yards. The regulation end zone is 20 yards deep and the official playing disc is the Discraft Ultra-Star 175, although people use other types when playing unofficially. A player shouldn’t hold on to the disc for more than 10 seconds, once a player catches the Frisbee he can’t run or move with it, asides pivoting, and there should be no contact between the players, since ultimate is a no-contact sport. You can get more familiar with the ultimate frisbee rules here.

All in all, by now you should have a better understanding of what is Ultimate Frisbee and how to play it!