Image courtesy of http://www.whatisultimate.com
Ultiamte Frisbee is not unlike football in many ways. Ultimate is played seven a side, and there is always one team on offense and one team on defense. An incomplete pass results in a change of possession, as does an interception. Players cannot run with the disc, but rather must stop to throw it within ten seconds of catching it. Three steps are allowed, but only if necessary to slow down the motion you had when you caught the disc.
The object of the game is to catch the frisbee in the other team's endzone, which scores one point. After a touchdown, the teams line up on opposite goal lines and the scoring team throws the disc off to the other, much like a kickoff in football. Games can be played to as many points as desired, but teams normally play to 15 or 17, and teams must win by two points. Endzones are 25 yards deep, and the field is normally 70 yards in length and 40 yards in width. A full set of rules may be found at The Ultimate Players Association Website (UPA). Another useful link for those who want to get involved in Ultimate in the St. Louis area is The Saint Louis Ultimate Association's Website.
The SLUH Ultimate team prepares for a tough game against DeSmet.
Ultimate Frisbee originated in the late 1960s in Maplewood, N.J. What started as a game a few highschoolers invented and played amongst themselves has become a sport with international competition. The World Games will have teams from the US, Germany, Australia, Finland, Japan, and Canada will compete in the games in Germany in 2005.
Frisbee is a game that requires skill, knowledge of the game, and fitness. Skill is needed to be able to throw and catch the disc well. Players need knowledge of the game to know when and where to throw the disc, and when they need to wait and let things reset. Players also need to know different defensive and offensive strategies, such as different zone or man defenses. Fitness is necessary because of the upbeat tempo of the game, and sprinting is a must to both mark your man on defense and get open on offense. High vertical leap is also useful to jump over the opposition to acquire the disc.
Nick Ruemker makes a touchdown catch against DeSmet in the semifinals of the Rockurst Tournament last March.
What makes Ultimate unique is the Spirit of the Game. According to the UPA's website, The Spirit of the Game is a "sportsmanship which places the responsibility for fair play on the player himself." In other words, players referee themselves, having faith in one another that they are honestly trying to make the fairest, most unbiased calls possible. Rather than make cheating more plentiful, games of Ultimate usually have few if any disputes and are played very fairly. Ultimate is not about how much rule-breaking you can get away with, but rather about allowing the best team to win without the controversy referees can often cause through questionable calls. When you feel that you were fouled, you call a foul. If the accused fouler disagrees, the play is redone. The receiver of a catch always makes the call as to whether he caught the frisbee in bounds, out of bounds, in the endzone, or just out of it. No matter what the receiver's call is, it cannot be disputed. In this way, every player must be genuine and truthful to make a game of Ultimate successful and fun. In this way, faith in both one's own team and the opposition is well placed and is rewarded.
The team after a 2nd place finish in the Rockhurst Tournament.
Image courtesy of http://www.sluh.org.
Sources: http://www.upa.org; http://www.whatisultimate.com; http://www.ultimatehandbook.com All pictures not credited are my own.