Middle School Physical Education
Frisbee Unit Study Guide
History of the Game
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In 1920, Yale University students discover the sport of throwing pie tins from the Mother Frisbee’s
Baking Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
1948 The first plastic flying disc is manufactured by Fred Morrison, a California carpenter and building
inspector.
1967 The international Frisbee Tournament is held in Escanaba, Michigan.
1969 Ultimate Frisbee is invented in Maplewood, New Jersey by Columbia High School students.
1973 The first intercollegiate Ultimate Frisbee game is played between Rutgers University and
Princeton University in New Jersey.
1993 The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports accepts flying disc sports as a new
category for the President Sports Award.
Object of the Game
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Frisbee is a new, exciting lifetime physical activity that can offer success and challenge at all ability levels.
Frisbee can be played on almost any size field or gymnasium and can be used by individuals, small groups, or
teams.
The International Frisbee Disc Association, which numbers over 100,000 members, has statistics showing
that more Frisbee discs are sold yearly in the United States than footballs and basketballs combined.
Frisbee competition is judged by distance, accuracy, free style, and other games.
Frisbee Activities
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Throw for Distance
Throw for Distance and Accuracy
Throw for Accuracy
Throw and Catch with Self
Twenty-one
Ultimate Frisbee
Frisbee Soccer
Frisbee Softball
Disc Golf
Basic Frisbee Throw
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Right-handers: Stand with the right shoulder facing the target. Left-handers: Stand with the left
shoulder facing the target.
Spread the feet about hip-width apart, with knees flexed slightly.
Grip the edge of the disc firmly, but not tightly. Place the thumb on top, with the first two or three
fingers underneath and slightly behind.
The point in the motion at which the disc is released will determine where it goes.
Four types of Frisbee throws are: Backhand throw, Underhand throw, Sidearm throw, and Overhand wrist
flip.
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee combines elements of soccer, football, and touch football. The goal is for the team with the disc
to pass it up the field without dropping it and catch it in the end zone. The other team tries to intercept the disc
or knock it down. A regulation game has seven players on each team. Each point begins with both teams lining up
on the front of their respective end zone. The defense throws the disc to the offense. Each time the offense
completes a pass in the defense’s end zone, the offense scores a point. The disc may be advanced in any direction
by completing a pass to a teammate. Ultimate Frisbee stresses sportsmanship and fair play.
Modified Physical Education Rules
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Players may not run with the disc (turnover). Pivot and step throw are allowed.
The player with the disc has five seconds to throw the disc; otherwise it’s a turnover.
All defenders must remain at least 5 feet away from the offensive player with the disc (penalty).
When a pass is not complete, the defense immediately takes possession of the disc and becomes the
offense.
If the disc hits the wall it is out of play. Otherwise, no sidelines are used.
No physical contact is allowed between players. Contact with another player is a foul (penalty).
Picks and screens are also prohibited.
When a foul disrupts possession, the play resumes as if the possession was retained. The offending player
may receive a penalty time out.
Each goal is worth 1 point.
Upon scoring, the opposing team will take the disc out of bounds, like in basketball.
Players may only contact the floor with their feet, otherwise, penalty.
Players must receive the Frisbee between the cones for a goal to be scored.
Players may not contact the walls at any time, a timed penalty will result.
Disc Golf
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The game consists of throwing a disc from a teeing area to a target by a throw or successive throws.
The competitor who plays the round in the fewest throws (including penalty throws) is the winner.
Players should not throw until they are certain that the thrown disc will not distract another player or
potentially injure anyone present.
Players should watch the other members of their group throw in order to aid in locating wild throws and to
make sure they are following the rules.
Players should take care not to produce any distracting noises or any potential visual distractions for other
players who are throwing.
Unsportsmanlike actions include shouting, free styling, throwing out of turn, throwing or kicking equipment,
and advancing on the fairway before the other players have thrown.
If the previous hole was a tie, the scores are to be counted back until the order is resolved.
After all the players in the group have teed off, the player farthest from the hole (the away player)
throws first.
Strategies
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04/2009
Spread out an open area for a pass.
Attack the opponent’s goal by moving to an open space.
Maintain possession of the frisbee by making short, safe passes.
Be aware of the time when possessing the frisbee.
When you lose possession of the disc, quickly find someone to guard.