Wednesday 2 May 2012

Tips on how to catch properly

Since we have taught you about the basic throw of Ultimate Frisbee, let's bring you to explore in catching the Frisbee plate. There are different ways in catching the Frisbee plate.

This shows how a "pancake" catch is.
Firstly, there is the catch that requires the use of two hands. From here, there are many different ways in catching with two hands. One of the most basic catching is called the "pancake"
This catch is usually caught in between the palms of two hands (UltimateFrisbee.com, 2012).







Other than that, there is the layout catch. This players can either use two hands or single hand to catch the Frisbee disc. This depends on the players choice and convenience in catching. The layout catch is more of a challenge for the player to attempt to catch the disc. This pushes one player to strive their best to get the disc from falling the ground, thus this attempt cause them to impact with the ground where this impact can caused the disc that has already been grabbed by the players to fall to the ground , and this is called the ground strip (Catching, n.d.).
A beautiful lay out done using the rim catch
It is advisable to use a rim catch when a layout is necessary to be done. This is because it is more difficult for the disc to dislodge from the players' hands. A rim catch is mostly catches disc that comes below the waist and it is a better variety of choice of grabbing discs that are close to the ground (UltimateRob, 2010). In such catch, players usually catch their disc by the edge or the rim of the Frisbee disc.



The video clip below shows one of the Ultimate Frisbee catch: The Layout.

EverythingUltimate, 2011


However, no matter what type of catch you do or how you catch the disc, the most important thing is to focus and know the direction of where your team mates will be throwing the disc and prevent it from falling to the ground.
Continue to be amazed with the many hidden talents in Ultimate Frisbee. 



UltimateFrisbee.com. (2012). The Basics Of Ultimate. Retrieved from, http://www.ultimatefrisbee.com/ultimate_beginner.php

Catching. (n.d.). 1.Introduction. Retrieved from, http://www.afda.com/skills/catching.htm

UltimateRob. (2010). The Basics Of Catching. Retrieved from, http://www.ultimaterob.com/2010/10/27/the-basics-of-catching/

EverythingUltimate. (2011). Greatest Ultimate Frisbee Catch Ever. [Video File]. Retrieved, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBaB1SI_Lk4

Thursday 26 April 2012

Spirit Of The Game

Smiles given after having a competitive match between the two teams

Since now we have introduced you the basic throws, you can start playing the game of Ultimate Frisbee. Grab a few friends and you can have your mini game of Ultimate Frisbee. However, in Ultimate, it is played and judged differently from the rest of the sports around. This in other words is known as "The Spirit Of The Game".

So here, is the question: What do you mean as the Spirit Of The Game?
In such sports, there is no referee to judge whether the players are right or not. Every players have the right to call whether there is a foul or not. Both players of each team must hold the responsible and must agree with the foul called. If either one of the player that has been fouled by the opponent, and disagree to such action, a 'contest' is called to discuss the problem that they are facing with their opponent (Lynch, 2011) Players have to resolve their own problems in the game until both parties or teams agrees. However, in Ultimate, a foul that is purposely called would be known as cheating and a gross offense against the spirit of the sportsmanship (USA Ultimate, 2010). As a result of this, the Spirit of The Game is ruined. The Spirit of The Game must be maintained in good sportsmanship and fair play. It is good to have a competitive side in playing Ultimate but, continue to enjoy the fun and joy in this game, at the same time, respecting each of the players in both of the teams (UltimateRob, 2010).

Continue to keep the spirits going in playing Ultimate Frisbee, to enjoy the game.
"Personally learnt sportsmanship and teamwork through this team of mine"

References:


Lynch, P. (2010). Ultimate Frisbee: The Spirit Of The Game. Retrieved from,



USA Ultimate. (2010). Rules Of Ultimate. Retrieved from, http://www.usaultimate.org/resources/officiating/rules/default.aspx

UltimateRob. (2010). Spirit Of The Game. Retrieved from, http://www.ultimaterob.com/2010/10/25/spirit-of-the-game/

Wednesday 18 April 2012

2nd Lesson: The flicks



Enough about the backhand throw, now it is the time for you to learn another trick of throwing in Ultimate Frisbee. This throwing skill is called the forehand throw or in other words, it is also known as the flicks. Throwing the flicks is a little different in throwing the backhand throw. First, the grip of throwing the flicks or the forehand throw is slightly different.


The Grip
Since it is said to be the "forehand throw", it is thrown usually from the side arms with the grip of usually two-fingers only. These two fingers used are the middle finger and the index finger. The middle finger is usually placed at the rim of the underside of the frisbee plate while the index fingers supports the middle finger in holding the plate on the underside as well, which forms a 'V' shape on the underside of the frisbee plate. Your thumb will be grasping on the front side of the Frisbee plate, steadying the position of the Frisbee disc.







Next, moving along to:

The Swing and The Release
Players have to know where their target is first, before able to throw their Frisbee plate disc out of their hands. Usually the player target is throwing to an area where their team mates is able to run and catch the disc without dropping it to the ground. Thus, the right method is needed to throw so that the disc travels horizontally. Most of the swing strength is in the wrist. Bend the Frisbee disc a little bit with your wrist and release the disc just with a simple flick, letting go the thumb on the Frisbee disc.


The Position of Throwing
There is different position for the players to throw. A lower position of throwing can be used instead of just standing there and throw. The main advantage for the player to throw the from a lower position is so that they are able to control the disc when there is an uprising in the wind, as wind is able to bring the Frisbee disc to fly higher than expected causing it to fly over the the head of the receiver (Mutiply, 2007). Dropping to a lower position, the player must maintained a balance position to prevent from falling backwards. However, with a standing position, it saves time for the player to bend down his or her body to a lower position. This enables the player to throw the disc out releasing it quickly.

No matter what position the player used to throw the disc, remember to keep the player's back relatively straight. This enables more space for the player to throw the Frisbee disc, as the player's arm is not near the side from the body that will allow the player to throw further (Mutiply, 2007). More force is needed to throw the longer throws.


However, please be noted to throwing the forehand with a different plane or angle. If a player throws the forehand in a different angle that is off, it can cause the Frisbee disc to wobble which in the end, the Frisbee disc will fly sidetrack from where the player initially wanted to throw to (UltimateRob, 2010).

Still not getting the idea or the picture? Here is a short video on how a forehand throw looks like when it is throwing and when the Frisbee disc is thrown.

brodiesmith21, 2011

Thats all about the basic forehand throw. Continue to read this blog for more techniques of Ultimate Frisbee.

References:
Mutiply. (2007). Ultimate 101: How to throw a Forehand. Retrieved from, http://makatiultimatedisc.multiply.com/journal/item/7?&show_interstitial=1&u=/journal/item

UltimateRob. ( 2010). Planes of the forehand- Throwing Tips. Retrieved from,
http://www.ultimaterob.com/2010/04/14/planes-of-the-forehand-throwing-tips/

brodiesmith21. (2011, April 3). How To Throw A Forehand | Brodie Smith. Retrieved
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgUyW5aGC2U&feature=related





Friday 13 April 2012

1st Lesson: The back hand throw with correct foot positioning

Here's the question: How am I supposed to pass it properly to my team mates?
From here, we can see the different technique of throwing the frisbee.
Firstly, players are needed to know the essential feet positioning while throwing the frisbee disc.
One of your legs should step out and be pivoted while throwing the frisbee disc or defending your opponent.Your hands have to be extended as wide as your pivoted legs. Your stepping foot and leg should be out and straight with your body, and your pivot foot and leg should be straight with the knee slightly bent.
In direct saying, players have to step with the same foot as the hand they throw with (M, 2012).
As a result of this, it would be easier for each of the players to either defend or to throw the disc to their next fellow team mates without any turnovers occur.

So how can the players throw their disc to their player trying the best possible for the disc not to fall to the ground?
One of the basic methods that usually players start learning is the backhand throw. This is not only the basic throw but also an essential method to learn to play in competitive game of Ultimate Frisbee.
The backhand throw starts off with the focus and the aim of the target. After the player has set the focus where he or she wants to throw then, they have to positioned their foot and body mentioned above. The body must be turn side ways to the specific target.The player then takes hold of the frisbee disc by placing the thumb at the top margin rim of the frisbee disc. The rest of the fingers, is curled up and placed inside and under the rim of the frisbee disc. The pivoted foot cannot be move and is only able to rest at one position, whereas the other foot, pushes the body finding the right possible position for a confident throw of the frisbee disc to the targeted team mates. The other foot (not the pivoted foot) is usually stepped forward for bigger space of throwing. Once, the player thinks that he or she is confident enough to throw the disc to their team mates, release the frisbee disc with the wrist of the hands. Most of the power that is thrown comes from the wrist.

Cannot get a clear picture on how to throw a backhand? Here's a short tutorial that can actually bring a picture for you to see.
(brodiesmith21, 2011).


So, practice and master this throw first. Stay tuned for the following posts to show you more about the different methods of throwing to learn.
References:
brodiesmith21. (2011, March 28). How To Throw A Backhand | Brodie Smith [Video File]. Retrieved from, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlf7nfKYK40
M, B. (2012). How To Throw A Frisbee. Retrieved from, http://benm.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Throw-A-Frisbee

Tuesday 3 April 2012

a brief look on Ultimate Frisbee


Firstly, let me bring you on how this extraordinary game started.
It started way back in 1968, by The Founders (USA Ultimate). Who is The Founders you would ask? From the Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J., Joel Silver is the guy who made this sports happened along with his two other friends Bernard "Buzzy" Hellring and Jonathan "Johny" Hines. Slowly in the late 70s, it continued to expand to different colleges and eventually bringing this sports popular.



What is the real definition of Ultimate Frisbee you shall ask?
Ultimate Frisbee is defined as a sports quite similar to American Football. Ultimate is played within two teams as much as seven players each in a large football field. There are two "endzones" at the end of each field, which is for goals to be made. A goal is scored in this area when any one of a team manage to pass to their player that is in the "endzones" while they are on offence side.


At the start, both team stands at their "endzones". The defense side will start to throw the disc as far as possible which is called "The Pull". Once the pull is made, this is the start of the game and the offense team starts to attack. If the player is holding the disc, he/she is not allowed to move. The offense team will try their best to pass it to their own player while the defense team tries to block the opponent from passing. If the offence team failed to make a pass to their team mates and the frisbee disc lands on the ground, the offensive team would then turn over to the defense team. This is known as "Turnover".
However, there is a time limit for the offense team to make a pass. The defense team has to count for ten seconds which is called the "stall" counts. If the offense team did not manage to pass the disc in that ten seconds, then the possession of the disc is given to the defense team.
Each team is enquire to earn as much as point scored into the "endzones" in order to win the match. A match is usually about an hour long with a ten minutes break in between. Substitutes can only be made after any one side of the team has succeeded in scoring into the "endzones".

This is basically the rules of this sports.Still cannot get a picture?
well, here's a short highlight of a match in Ultimate Frisbee.


(beef64, 2008).

So, how much level of interest are you towards this sports now? Stay tuned and will keep you posted on more about this sports that will bring an impact to you. 


References:
USA Ultimate. (2010). History. Retrieved from, http://www.usaultimate.org/about/history/default.aspx

beef64. (2008, August 27). Ultimate Frisbee Highlights [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAyEti-_lR8




Friday 30 March 2012

Of all sports, Ultimate Frisbee?


Good greetings! A very warm welcome to those who has clicked stepping into this blog of mine. This blog is first created for assignment purpose for the unit Web Communication 101. Everyone in class is to choose a topic of something that relates and connects to an individual, thus, this is how the topic “Ultimate Frisbee” comes about.
Like the title mentioned: Of all the sports, why Ultimate Frisbee? I started playing Ultimate Frisbee two years ago, and this two short years, Ultimate Frisbee has stirred a passion in my heart and made me grow into an Ultimate Frisbee player. Along the step of the way, Ultimate Frisbee continues to bring the best out of me that I never knew.

I may not be known as one of the strongest Ultimate Frisbee player, but my purpose of creating this topic as my blog, is not only because it relates to me, but I also want to change the assumption of what most people tend to think of in Ultimate Frisbee. The reason why is because most of the time I asked what Frisbee is, the highest possible answer received is “It’s a game that is played between two people, throwing and catching a Frisbee disc.”

However, that is not the real meaning and the game of Ultimate Frisbee. It is more than just throwing and catching. In this blog, every posts will bring readers to take one step closer in exploring this sports. From the true definition of Ultimate Frisbee to the different kinds of tactics and strategies you can do while playing this sports.

So stick around and find out. Ultimate Frisbee is going to leave a mark in your heart.