What is this Ultimate thing all about?
It's a fast, non-contact, team sport, played with a disc (not a frisbee!) and no referees.
The sport originated from Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, USA, with the first game being played in 1968. It is now played all over the world, with national organisations in 40 countries. Estimates in 1998 showed over 30,000 enthusiasts and over 2,000 teams.
Ultimate is now played at all levels from beginners events to world events and from juniors to masters. To play at the top level you need to be fit, athletic and enthusiastic, but you can have just as much fun playing with your university team.
So how do you play this ultimate sport?
Well it's played between two teams of seven players (5 indoors), although a squad can be as large as you want. You play on a pitch roughly the size of a football pitch with end zones at either end. (fig 1.0)
fig 1.0
The basic play and scoring is a combination of American Football and Netball. The disc is passed down field between players and a score is when a player catchs the disc in the opposing players end zone. However it is a non-contact sport and you cannot run with the disc. Once you catch the disc you have to stop moving but can use a pivot foot similar to netball.
The defending team try and retrieve the disc by marking closely and once the disc is intercepted, hits the floor or goes out of bounds the defensive team takes possession and become the offence.
Since the sport has no referees it is governed by the Spirit of the Game. Players make their own foul calls and disputes are settled by the players. This makes the sport enjoyable and competitive as it takes away the acting and unsportsmanship that spoils other games.
For more detailed information on the rules of Ultimate, check out the Rules section
Check
out our Glossary of
terms you may hear being
uttered on the Ultimate field.
