Learn to Play Ultimate

[Glen]

For many of the new people on the list I thought it might be helpful to share some of the ultimate learning resources I've comes across in my years playing.  So, below are these resources.  For you old pros this might be a bit of a refresher, but I often find a brush up refreshing and useful.  There's always something new to learn.

Check them out when you have free time (like while you're eating lunch at work)...

ASKING FOR HELP

First and foremost, if you want to learn something or get advice on something, come to one of the games and ask.  A number of people whom come to our everyday games are happy to teach and help people of all levels.  And players of all levels are ALWAYS WELCOME.  From the complete newbie all the way to the most hardcore of players.

THE BASICS

At it's simplest form, Ultimate can be summed up in ten easy rules: http://www.upa.org/ultimate/rules/10simplerules

REQUIRED READING

Required reading for just about anyone playing ultimate is this PDF that is by the people that put up the site listed below.  Everyone, in my opinion should read http://www.frisbeesportverband.de/verband/dokumente/ultimate-handbook and memorize it.  There are great chapters here about throwing, stacking, cheering and spirit.  Read it, Live it!

The people that wrote the PDF in above have a full site up at http://www.ultimatehandbook.com.  The periodically revise the site but personally I like the older version of the site which you can find at http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/.

REQUIRED VIEWING

If you go to YouTube there are a number of videos showing you how to play Ultimate.  I personally recommend the following series from the Ultimate Handbook people.  These cover everything from the basics down to simple man/stack strategy.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSfMwoKWcDg

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbxR8ebPmxU

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfvI3uPVYr8

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neXCImpUttI

THE BASICS OF THROWING

A lot of people ask for advice on throwing. The single most important throw in ultimate is the forehand throw.  It is also the hardest throw to learn.  While reading a website can provide you some hints, the
only real way to get better at this is to get out and do it... and get out and do it DURNIG THE GAME.  So check out the link http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/training_forehand.html but
especially get out and practice and get out and play!

HOW TO CUT

Cutting is important to our offense, so read http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/basics_cutting.html for all about how to make the perfect cuts.  The only bad cuts are side to side cuts or lazy cuts.

THE BASICS OF OFFENSE AND DEFENSE

The most basics things you should know about defense http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/basics_defence.html and offense http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/basics_offence.html.

STACK OR MAN DEFENSE AND OFFENSE

Building on Offense and Defense basic, is the Stack.  The Stack is the most basic form of offensive and defensive strategy in ultimate.  This link reviews the concepts of the stack.  These examples are stacks
that cut off the back of the stack.  It's also possible to cut from the front of the stack as well. Learn more about stack at http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/basics_offence.html.

A video outlining stacking and forcing can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uRtTEQmUGU. The video uses icons instead of people to illustrate, which makes it easier to understand, although it is lacking a bit in production values.

WHAT THE HELL IS A PICK?

We don't really call picks in Pickup league.  Yet, we still frown on people whom do pick one another.  So knowing what a pick is is critical.  Find out more at http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/basics_other.html#2.

ZONE

Occasionally we've introduced Zone into a game from time to time. Zone is an alternative Offensive and Defensive Strategy. Zone is primarily a more organized approach to strategy than Stack where everyone seems to just be running around.  It is about playing a position and the entire team working in a coordinated effort.  It relies on communication and team work more than Stack.

As with any strategy Zone has its strengths and it weaknesses.  As such in any given game one will see both Zone and Stack played against them and one must be able to transition between the two seamlessly.

You should begin by reading the Wikipedia entry about Zone Defense at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultimate_frisbee#Zone_defense.  It's a quick read and a fine primer. Please note that mostly we play the
"Cup" style of Zone versus the "Wall" or "Wedge" styles.

Then you can move on to the Ultimate Handbook section on Zone Strategy at http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/strategy_zone.html - Pay particular attention to the 3-3-1 approach as that is the most common approach.

Next, you should check out the individual sections on Zone Defense http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/Webpages/Intermediate/defensez.html and Zone Offense http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/Webpages/Intermediate/offensez.html. Again, the most common approach is a 3 person cup.  The other approaches such as Salmon, Rabbit, etc, are much less frequently used.

GET OUT AND PLAY

Finally, reading these articles and watching these videos will only get you so far.  The only real way to learn in ultimate is to get out and do it.  So come on out and join us Tuesday or Thursday nights for
some awesome pickup Ultimate, and the opportunity to improve your skills... no matter what your level.