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