ultimate frisbee
description
Ultimate Frisbee is very similar to football. Teams compete against each other trying to score points by catching the Frisbee in the endzone. It is one of the most exciting and fast-paced games the 8th grade plays all year. Although throwing and catching a Frisbee can be difficult, the game allows for participation by everyone. The students will begin the unit by learning the basic throws used in Ultimate: forehand, backhand, and hammer. They also learn how to catch the Frisbee using the 'C' grip or alligator grip. We spend a good portion of the first class just throwing and catching to stationary targets. After all, you have to be able to throw to a stationary target before you can even think about throwing to someone that is moving.
After practicing a series of drills, the students are ready to start playing in small games. We start with a basic game of keep away, which allows the students some time to practice maintaining possession of the Frisbee while utilizing the passing and catching techniques mentioned above. Afterwards, the class is split in half and the groups will play larger games. The teams are encouraged to try to play man-to-man and zone defense, both of which I explain, and demonstrate, beforehand. It tends to take some time before everyone gets a feel for how the Frisbee moves through the air, but once they figure it out, games on!
For more information about the Ultimate Frisbee unit, check out the Introduction PowerPoint here.
After practicing a series of drills, the students are ready to start playing in small games. We start with a basic game of keep away, which allows the students some time to practice maintaining possession of the Frisbee while utilizing the passing and catching techniques mentioned above. Afterwards, the class is split in half and the groups will play larger games. The teams are encouraged to try to play man-to-man and zone defense, both of which I explain, and demonstrate, beforehand. It tends to take some time before everyone gets a feel for how the Frisbee moves through the air, but once they figure it out, games on!
For more information about the Ultimate Frisbee unit, check out the Introduction PowerPoint here.
learning objectives
- Be able to work with classmates of varying ability levels in a modified game of Ultimate Frisbee
- Demonstrate competency in the backhand and forehand throws
- Understand the various positions and be able to play each position in a modified game
- Implement offensive and defensive strategies in modified games
- Learn the rules associated with a game of Ultimate Frisbee