History of Ultimate Frisbee

• Ultimate Frisbee began in the late 19th century at Yale and other New England universities.
• Students played catch with pie plates from Frisbie Baking Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut and yelled "Frisbie!" to warn others.

Origin in 1968

• Ultimate was created at Columbia High School, New Jersey, by students led by Joel Silver and Brian Goff.
• The inaugural game was played with two teams of seven players.

1970s Expansion

• In 1970, Ultimate spread to colleges.
• The first intercollegiate game was played in 1972 between Rutgers and Princeton.

Formation of UPA in 1979

• The Ultimate Players Association (now USA Ultimate) was established to standardize rules and promote the sport.

First College Nationals in 1983

• The UPA hosted the first College National Championship.

International Championships (1987-1989)

• The first World Ultimate Club Championship (WUCC) was held in Cologne, Germany in 1987.
• The first World Ultimate Championship (WUC) for national teams was held in Toronto, Canada in 1989.

Gender Equity in 1993

• The UPA implemented ensuring equal opportunities for men and women.

IOC Recognition in 2010

• Ultimate Frisbee provisionally gained recognition from the International Olympic Committee.

Name Change in 2012

• The UPA was renamed USA Ultimate, due to the sport's growth.

Key Individuals

• Joel Silver founded Ultimate Frisbee and helped create the game and early rules.
• Joan Xavier & Buzzy Hellring were Teachers at Columbia High School who supported its spread.
• Walter Morrison invented the modern Frisbee.
• Tom Kennedy formalized its structure.
• Ken Westerfield & Jim Kenner promoted Ultimate and freestyle Frisbee in the 1970s.
• Tom "TK" Kennedy contributed to the rules and growth at the collegiate level.
• Tom Crawford was important in forming the Ultimate Players Association (UPA).
• Dan Roddick ("Stork") was an ambassador who helped grow the sport globally and supported the UPA.
• Michael E. Iacovella organized the first College National Championship in 1983.
• Tom Schot played a crucial role in organizing the first World Ultimate Club.

Key Developments and Changes

• Standardized Rules: Early informal rules were unified/ providing consistency.
• Governing Bodies: Organizations like USA Ultimate and WFDF promote international growth
• Gender Equity: Ultimate champions equal opportunities for men and women, both on and off the field.
• Tournaments Expansion: Regular competitions highlight the sport's global competitiveness.
• World Ultimate Club Championships (WUCC): Connects club teams worldwide and fosters a global community.
• Multisport event Inclusion: Ultimate gains broader recognition.
• Spirit of the Game: Sportsmanship and self-officiating sets Ultimate apart.
• Mixed Division Growth: Teams with male and female players promote inclusivity/collaboration.
• Youth and College Development: Programs in schools and universities introduce Ultimate.
• Community Outreach: Clinics, youth programs, and leagues grow the sport.
• Technological Advances: Improved disc designs enhance gameplay/training.

Equipment

• Disc: A standardized plastic flying disc, designed for accuracy in throws and catches.
• Cleats: Shoes with spikes for traction.
• Apparel: Athletic clothing like jerseys, shorts, and sometimes compression gear for comfort and mobility.
• Markers or Cones: Outline the field + mark the end zones
• Field Markings: Official field lines + rectangular endzones.

Facilities

• Field Layout: typically 64 meters long and 36 meters wide.
• End Zones: Rectangular scoring areas at each end, 23 meters deep.
• Sidelines: Long boundaries of the field
• Goal Lines: Mark the front edges of the end zones.
• Center of the field: Marks the field's center.
• Markers or Cones: Outline corners, end zones, and field boundaries.
• Flat, Open Playing Surface: Played on flat, open grass or turf, free of obstacles.
• Permanent or Temporary Field Markings: Painted lines or temporary (cones or chalk).

Rules and Regulations - Teams

• Players: 7 players per team.
• Substitutions: Allowed during stoppages.

Starting Play

• Pull: The game starts with one team throwing the disc to the other.
• End Zones: Each team has an end zone to score points.

Movement & Scoring

• Passing: Players throw the disc to teammates.
• Pivot: Player keeps one foot planted while throwing.
• Scoring: Catch disc in opponent's endzone = score

Turnovers and Change of Possession

• Interceptions: Defense catches the disc = turnover.
• Drops/Out-of-Bounds: Possession switches.
• Stall Count: Throw disc within 10 seconds.

Fouls & Penalties

• No Contact: Physical contact causes a stoppage; the fouled player keeps possession.
• Traveling: Running while holding the disc causes a turnover.
• No Double-Teams: Only one defender can guard a player.

Stoppage and Resumption of Play

• Timeouts: can pause the game for strategy.
• Substitutions: are allowed during timeouts or for injuries.
• Resumption: Restart play with a "check" after stoppages.

Game Duration

• Halftime: Teams switch ends after reaching half the points goal.
• Game End: when a team reaches the target or time ends.

Spirit of the Game

• Ultimate emphasizes sportsmanship, fair play, and respect.
• Players self-officiate and resolve disputes honestly.

Basic skills

• Throwing: Forehand, backhand and hammer throws.
• Catching: Two-hand, one-hand, and layout (diving) catches.
• Defensive Skills: Marking, intercepting, and forcing opponents to one side.

Strategies

• Offensive strategies include Cutting, Stack Formation, and Give and Go.
• Defensive strategies include marking, interception, and force.

Fitness

• Endurance: Requires stamina for continuous running.
• Agility: Requires quick direction changes.
• Speed: Essential for both offense and defense.