Rules

Ultimate, also and originally known as ultimate frisbee, is a low-contact team sport played with a flying disc. 

Ultimate was developed in 1968 by a group of students at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey.

The playing field: Rectangular (64 meters by 36 meters), with an end zone at each end (18 meters each). That is, 100 meters total.

 

Each point begins with both teams lining up on the front of their respective end zone line. The defending team throws the disc (called the pull) to the attacking team.

Pincha aquí para ver como se saca.

Points are scored by passing the disc to a teammate in the opposing endzone. The disc must completely cross the goal line and the receiving player must keep at least one foot in the endzone for the goal to count.

Pincha aquí para ver como se marca un punto.

 

You can pass the disc between teammates in any direction but you’re not allowed to run with the disc. In fact, once you cacth the disc you must stop immediately, you are then allowed one step in any direction to throw the disc. A violation of this is called a "travel".

The defending team will try and stop the attacking team by blocking discs in the air, intersecting the disc or forcing their opponents to either drop the disc or throw it out of bounds. If this happens the opposing team will gain possession of the disc.

Spirit of the game: Ultimate emphasizes sportsmanship and fair play. Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of the respect between players, observation of the rules or the enjoyment of playing the sport.

Each player is responsible for calling his or her own fouls and for resolving any disputes that might arise. Even at the highest level of Ultimate, there is no offical referee.

 

Substitutions: Substititutions can only be made after scoring a point, or if a player is injured during a point.

 

Contact: The sport is considered non-contact. If there is contact between two players, the result is a foul. Picks and other obstructions are also prohibited by the fules.

 

Fouls: When there's contact between players, the result is a foul. If the foul causes a turnover, the attacking team remains in possession of the disc and play is restarted.

Throwing techniques

There are two basic throws in Ultimate frisbee, the Backhand and the Forehand.

Backhand throw

Pincha aquí para ver el backhand throw.

The easiest and probably most commonly used throw. It is the most generic and natural way to throw a disc. You will put your thumb on top of the disc and the rest of your fingers on the bottom or put your index finger along the rim of the frisbee with three fingers on the bottom. 

If you are a right handed you would stand straight up, twist to the left, bend your wrist and elbow in front of you so they are in front of the disc. Then un-do all of that as you step with same foot as the throwing hand in one steady motion releasing the disc. Try to keep the disc as level as possible and to give it spin. Remember that most of the spin comes from bending your wrist then snapping it. 

 

Forehand throw(Flick)

 Pincha aquí para ver el forehand throw.

 Put 2 fingers (Pointer & middle) under the disc and your thumb on top. You can spread these fingers apart or put together.

 Keeping the disc parallel with the ground is really important. The key element to the flick throw is the spin you put on the disc.  Do this by pulling your wrist as far back as it will go and snapping it forward while bringing your arm through the motion.

Catching techniques

There are two basic catching techniques that every Ultimate Frisbee player must master:

Pancake Catch
The pancake catch, also known as clap catch, is the easiest and most effective catch in Ultimate. By using two open and outstretched hands the player will clap so that the disc is caught in between.

 When attempting this, keep your hands in front of and close to your body with both hands at right angles to gather the disc. You have to use this catch when the disc is between your waist and your chin.

 Rim catch

Also known as crab catch It’s best used for the below the waist and above the chin throws. You can use one or two hands. However, by catching the disk by the rim, you might allow it to have a tendency to spin out of control and out of your hands.

 When the disc is above the chin, catch it with your hand thumb down.

  When the disc is below your waist execute it thumb up.

 

 Watch this video to see these techniques very well explained and performed:

Pincha aquí para ver la ejecución de estas técnicas.