It might sound strange, but across university campuses in the US, intercollegiate athletes are putting a new spin on a familiar sport: Ultimate Frisbee. Nicknamed “Ultimate,” Ultimate Frisbee has gone from a casual pastime in the early ‘70s to a serious sport with sponsored teams, championships, and even a Hall of Fame at the Ultimate Players Association in Boulder, Colorado.
A typical game consists of two seven-player teams competing for control of a disc in constant motion. Although to outsiders it might at first seem like a laid-back leisure activity, don’t be fooled. Ultimate Frisbee requires its participants to have the endurance, stamina, strength, and coordination usually required of football or soccer. In fact, Ultimate Frisbee looks like the child of rugby and handball, with players yelling calls, cheers, and even some trash-talking. Yet, unlike typical college sports where the ref might call a foul when a play goes awry, in Ultimate, sportsmanship is paramount; there are no refs to call a time-out if the disc is held too long or if a player gets knocked down. Instead, Ultimate’s rules and regulations remain in the hands of the players. This may be what makes the game so different from typical college sports: Designed and structured by college kids who were players themselves, Ultimate remains balanced between competition and all-around fun.
At Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where I attended school, our only truly official team sport was Ultimate Frisbee. Our resident team “Red Scare” (its namesake comes from the strong-anti-communist fears of the ‘50s) were the only true “jocks” in the college. Not only did they have uniforms and team captains, but they also had regular practices, traveled across the state for away games, took annual trips to Georgia for tournaments, and had a “nude” fundraising calendar. Although Ultimate Frisbee is a co-ed sport, Red Scare (and many other intercollegiate teams) often divided up into men’s and women’s teams to play nearby all-female schools and all-male teams from local universities. During my first semester I participated in an “Ultimate Orientation,” which was both my introduction to the college and to Ultimate Frisbee. With no prior knowledge of the sport, I got a three-day crash course in “thumb throws” and “wrist flips,” turnovers, and guarding opponents. It was a grueling and unexpected intro – from the layouts (long dives to make a catch) into mud puddles and learning how to catch a quick-flying disc without breaking a finger or wrist. At the end of the orientation, I was sunburned, exhausted, dirty, and sore. Yet at the end of the night, the camaraderie and secret cheers made the grass stains completely worthwhile.
I never played seriously, unlike the organized teams at established schools like North Carolina State, Tufts, Williams, Amherst, and my alma mater. But I recognized the appeal and respect the game as a serious sport. It was hard, but lighthearted. It was an athletic pursuit that demanded dedication…but also knew how to party at the end of the night. Not too high pressure, with room for rivalry, skills, and glory – the perfect college sport.
Want more info? Looking to learn the rules of the game or join a league? Check out these links below:
The Ultimate Players Association: the website for the governing body for Ultimate in the US; check out the different divisions (high school, college, youth), where to find teams, and the section on “Spirit of the Game” -
World Flying Disc Federation: look here for international player-approved disc regulations, different disciplines, and world rankings
The Ultimate Handbook: a great 101 for everything Ultimate, including throws, defensive strategies, and tips for improving your game
Ultimate Frisbee: for all your merchandise, gear, and video needs
Bec Gathmann is the newest member to the VM editorial team.
Originally posted on the VM Blog .