9 Reasons Why You Should Play Ultimate
The weather is finally getting nicer as we move further into spring, which means spending time outside not on the computer becomes very enjoyable. The one sport I play on a weekly basis just happens to be Ultimate frisbee. Here I list 9 reasons why Ultimate is a fantastic way to spend a morning, afternoon, or evening.
1. It’s simple- conceptually the game is very straight-forward; you throw the disc to a teammate in the end zone to score. Movement of the disc is limited to one motion (throwing), while the rest is just running and catching. Anyone can do it. Required equipment is really just a disc itself.
2. Level playing field- By this, I mean that there is somewhat of a balance between players of different physical skill sets and abilities. Older players who might not have their top-end speed anymore generally are better throwers and readers of the disc than younger, more athletic players. They also know advanced tactics and have practiced them for many years. Conversely, young athletic players can sometimes make up the difference in “game intelligence” by literally outrunning the competition.
3. Great exercise- Even non-competitive Ultimate can be exhausting. Definitely remember to stretch…
4. All-weather, year round- while I suppose that technically any sport is “year-round,” weather conditions just mean one uses different tactics in Ultimate. Wind (affects disc stability and path), rain (affects grip), and snow (offers a cushion for laying out) don’t stop players from having a fun game. For the weak there’s always the indoor option if you can find a large enough space.
5. Team atmosphere- Ultimate is a very team-oriented game on both offense and defense. It is in the team’s best interest to get everyone involved in the action in order to minimize mismatches or generate turnovers.
6. Sportsmanship- Or “Spirit of the Game” as its called is built into the official rules of Ultimate. From the officialUPA manual,
“Ultimate relies upon a spirit of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on the player. Highly competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of mutual respect among competitors, adherence to the agreed upon rules, or the basic joy of play. Protection of these vital elements serves to eliminate unsportsmanlike conduct from the Ultimate field. Such actions as taunting opposing players, dangerous aggression, belligerent intimidation, intentional infractions, or other ‘win-at-all-costs’ behavior are contrary to the Spirit of the Game and must be avoided by all players.”
Spirit of the game is taken quite seriously, and I’ve seen transgressors ejected from tournaments for repeated violations. Nobody wants to have an unpleasant experience participating in a fun activity, so it’s nice that Ultimate states as a rule that you have to be a good sport. Clauses like this should really be used in other sports.
7. You meet awesome people- When you combine the level playing field and Spirit of the Game, people of all ages and backgrounds play the game. It’s a great social opportunity and you build lasting friendships. I know friends that have gotten jobs through their Ultimate relationships, and I’ve also recently discovered that it’s international- at least in Europe it has become increasingly popular among the younger generation. At CERN, Summer Student games have been a big success despite having a dozen nationalities on the field. Furthermore I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t willing to explain rules, throwing technique, or offer advice on a weaker area of your game.
8. Widespread- especially in the United States, it is not hard to find a pick-up Ultimate group. Many if not most colleges these days have teams, and it’s starting to gain popularity in high schools near larger cities. If there isn’t a group in your area, start one! You’ll only need 6 people, a disc, and a field.
9. Last but not least, Ultimate is fun- There’s no pause in the action between scoring, so you are constantly being challenged to find holes in the defense where you can get open or to stick on your mark as close as you can and try and anticipate when and where they’re going to release or catch the disc. There’s nothing better than plucking the disc out of the air away from your defender or stepping in front of your mark for an interception.
So enjoy the outdoors, pick up a disc, and start throwing.
Have you ever played Ultimate? What were/are your impressions of the sport?
Update 4/30/09: The New York Times ran an article about the growing popularity of Ultimate, especially among women.
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