Playing Ultimate FrisbeeLooking for the ultimate
summer sport to start playing this summer?. All you need is some grass, some friends and, of course, a flying disc. Kidzworld has the goods on
Ultimate Frisbee.
Diving For A FrisbeeUltimate Frisbee - History
The game of
Ultimate Frisbee was invented by a group of high school kids at Columbia High School in
Maplewood, NJ in the late 1960s. The original rules allowed for 20-30 players on each team. The rules also allowed for players to run with the disc and included a line of scrimmage and a series of downs, like
football. The rules were eventually changed so there were only seven players a team. Running with the
Frisbee was also eliminated and the series of downs were taken out. The game grew in popularity in the 1970s and is now played by thousands of people across the
United States and around the world.
Ultimate Frisbee - The Rules
The Field – an official Ultimate Frisbee field is 70 yards by 40 yards, with 25 yard endzones. However, if you can't find that much space, you can always mark a field a little shorter, depending on what you've got to work with.
Starting the Game - Each point begins with both teams lining up on the front of their respective end zone line. The defense throws the disc to the offense. A regulation game has seven players per team.
Movement of the Disc - The disc may be moved in any direction by completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the disc. The person with the disc ("thrower") has ten seconds to throw the disc. The defender guarding the thrower ("marker") counts out the stall count.
Change of Possession - When a pass in not completed (e.g. the disc goes out of bounds, drops, is blocked, or intercepted), the defense immediately takes possession of the disc and becomes the offense.
Non-contact - No physical contact is allowed between players. Picks and screens are also prohibited. A foul occurs when contact is made.
Fouls - When a player makes contact with another player a foul occurs. When a foul disrupts possession, the play resumes as if the possession was retained. If the player committing the foul disagrees with the foul call, the play is redone.
Self-Refereeing - Players are responsible for their own foul and line calls. Players resolve their own disputes (so don't be a baby and call your mommy or a teacher if you disagree with someone's foul call!)
Spirit of the Game - Ultimate Frisbee stresses sportsmanship and fair play. It's cool to be competitive, but always remember to respect other players, play by the rules and have fun.
Useless Frisbee Facts
Before the invention of the plastic flying disc, or Frisbee, people threw around metal pie tins from the Frisbie Baking Company of Newport, Conneticut. That's how the modern-day Frisbee was given its name. These metal pie tins were fun to toss around but people would often cut their hands on the edge of the metal tins.
The first plastic flying disc, later to be called the Frisbee, was invented in California in 1948.
Since the invention of the Frisbee, more than 200 million have been sold worldwide. It's estimated that more Frisbees are sold each year than footballs, basketballs and baseballs combined.
For more info on everything to do with Ultimate Frisbee, www.ultimatehandbook.com.
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