ULTIMATE!
A Look at Frisbee in Ateneo
By Johann Lu
What is Ultimate?
Ultimate or Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact team sport played with a flying disc. It is played on a field that is 100 meters long and 37 meters wide with opposite end-zones that are 37x18 meters. The goal of the game is to score the most points by passing the disc until a player catches it on the opposing end-zone. Players however cannot run with the disc and can only move one foot while holding the disc (pivot foot). The defensive team can only intercept the disc and force a turnover if the disc is flying in the air.
Each team generally has 7 players. Each play begins with both teams lining up horizontally on each end-zone. Play is initiated after each point. To initiate the play, the defensive team makes a “pull” by throwing the disc to the offensive team. During the play, the disc can be passed in any direction. The player holding the disc is called the “thrower” and he only has 10 seconds to pass the disc to a teammate. The player defending the thrower or the “marker” counts the 10 second stall-count. There will be a change in possession or turnover when a thrower fails to pass the disc to another teammate (out of bounds, stall count, disc is intercepted in the air) and the defense will be the offense.
"Spirit of the Game"
Generally, Ultimate is self-refereed. Opposing players call each other’s violations and players must resolve their own disputes. The “Spirit of the Game” is an actual term in the sport which is the value of fair play, sportsmanship and respect among players. Each team must be competitive to win but not at the expense of compliance with the rules, respect among players and the joy of playing the game
Johann with the team