Ultimate Frisbee Study Guide

Ultimate Frisbee was invented in 1968 by a group of high school students lead by

Joel Silver in Maplewood, NJ. The invention of the game occurred within a year of the

first patent on the flying disc made by Ed Headrick and Wham-O toys. The idea to

invent the first flying disc was realized by students at Yale campus. Students at the

campus used to visit the Connecticut’s Frisbie Pie Company and when they finished their

treats they would toss the metal pie tins back and forth over short distances.

The strategies of Ultimate Frisbee are similar to those of football, soccer, and

basketball. The players need good hand-eye coordination, speed, quickness and agility.

The spirit of the game embraces sportsmanship, fair play, player respect, self-officiating

and the joy of playing.

Ultimate is a great lifetime sport. It is played in schools, colleges, and

universities. There are even competitive leagues in some communities. Ultimate is a

game that people of all ages and abilities can participate in and enjoy.

Object of the Game

To outscore your opponent by scoring the most goals.

Players

Team consists of 7 players.

Start of play

A throw off initiates the start of play.

During the throw off members of each team must be in their own end zone.

A throw off is repeated after each score.

Disc movement

A player has 10 seconds to get rid of the Frisbee while the defender loudly counts.

The player with disc may not run but may pivot.

The receiver cannot take more than 2 steps (from momentum) to establish a pivot

foot.

Possession Change

A change of possession occurs when the defending team blocks or intercepts the

Frisbee.

A change of possession occurs when the offensive team drop or throws the Frisbee

out of bounds.

When possession is changed the new defender must give the person with the disc a

full arms length space to begin play.

Defense

Man to man

Defender must give opponent at least one arms length space

No double teams

Ultimate Frisbee Study Guide

Fouls

Any contact with another player results in a foul.

Double teaming is not allowed when on defense.

Scoring

One point is scored if the disc is caught inside the team’s end zone.

Throwing Skills

Back Hand

o (most common) For a right-handed player used to throw to receivers on the left

For a left- handed player used to throw to receivers on the right

Side Arm (skipping a rock across a lake)

For a Right- handed player used to throw to players on the right

For a Left- handed player used to throw to players on the left

Hammer

o An overhead throw- similar to a chop

** The more spin a disc has the better throw it will be**

Catching Skills

Sandwich Catch (Pancake)

o Use two hands to catch the disc; one hand on top and the other on the bottom.

C-Catch (one handed or two handed)

o Form a “C” with the thumb and fingers, and close them to grasp the disc.

o The fingers are up for catching high throws, whereas the thumb is up when

receiving low throws

Vocabulary

Pivot- Moving while keeping one foot planted, sort of like spinning.

Equipment

Not much equipment is need to play a game of ultimate, a disc and 8 cones.

The disc: weights 165-175 grams and 10-11 inches in diameter

Field Diagram

20 yards

End

Zone Playing Area

70 yards

40

yards