Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Ultimate?
- How can I get involved?
- What kind of equipment do you recommend for playing Ultimate?
- I've seen some people play before, but how official does the sport really get?
- How do the competitions work?
- Are there any real High School/Middle School/Elementary teams?
- My school doesn't have an Ultimate team! How can I get one started?
- I really want to play Ultimate, but I'm scared to come out to a pickup? I can't even throw a disc.
- Does it matter what disc you use?
- Where can I buy these discs?
- Why do you always use the word disc instead of Frisbee®?
- How long do normal games of Ultimate last?
- I'm a parent/educater/etc. and would like to learn more?
What is Ultimate?
Combining the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of soccer with the aerial passing skills of football, a game of Ultimate is played by two seven-player squads with a high-tech plastic disc on a field similar to football. The object of the game is to score by catching a pass in the opponent's end zone. A player must stop running while in possession of the disc, but may pivot and pass to any of the other receivers on the field. Ultimate is a transition game in which players move quickly from offense to defense on turnovers that occur with a dropped pass, an interception, a pass out of bounds, or when a player is caught holding the disc for more than ten seconds. Ultimate is governed by Spirit of the Game, a tradition of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on the players rather than referees. Ultimate is played in more than 42 countries by hundreds of thousands of men and women, girls and boys.
How can I get involved?
More and more oppurtunities are becoming available for youth participation in the sport. Our organization, the UPOz, strives to provide those opportunities for players of all ages and any skill level to experience the sport of Ultimate. The best place to look is under our pickup page. At any UPOz sponsored pickup, players of any age, skill, and experience can participate. Pickups are great resources to begin playing because they are less competitive and a great learning oppurtunity. Also, be sure and see if we are currently running any leagues. Leagues are a great way to get to know fellow players and learn the game in a weekly atmosphere.
What kind of equipment do you recommend for playing Ultimate?
The best part of Ultimate is that you don't need much equipment to play at all. Really, all you need is a disc. However, we do recommend getting yourself a good pair of cleats and bringing a white and a dark shirt if you're attending one of our pickups or leagues. Water is always helpful as well!
I've seen some people play before, but how official does the sport really get?
Ultimate is played competitively at all levels now. Almost every university has a college team that practices throughout the week and attends tournaments at least once or twice a month competing in the UPA College series. Some colleges even offer scholarships in the sport. Most big cities also have “club teams” which also travel to tournaments on the weekends and allow anybody regardless of age to play. As for the youth level, 23 states (including Missouri) hosts High School State Championships which qualifies the winners for the UPA High School Championships. There is also a Youth Club Series allowing non-High School affiliated teams to participate. In many cities across the country leagues and tournaments exist for High School, Middle School, and even Elementary students. Ultimate also has two different World's competitions. Although the sport is currently not played in the Olympics, there are currently petitions to get it included.
How do the competitions work?
Most Ultimate competitions are held over a Saturday and Sunday where teams of the same caliber gather to play. Saturday is reserved for pool play which seeds into a bracket play on Sunday. At most tournaments teams will play 4-5 games on Saturday and 2-4 games on Sunday lasting from 9-5 both days.
Are there any real High School/Middle School/Elementary teams?
Yes, Ultimate is exponentially growing throughout the youth divisions. Although the sport is currently a lot bigger on the east and west coast, the UPOz and other organizations are working hard to bring it to the Midwest. In many high schools now, the sport of Ultimate is being recognized as a Varsity sport. There are also many middle school and elementary school leagues currently set up in some areas.
My school doesn't have an Ultimate team! How can I get one started?
The best way to get a team started at your school is to find a bunch of friends that like to play. Once you have a solid group of people who are committed to playing and getting better at the sport, then you can form a team. The best way to do that is to contact our organization and we would be happy to send out a representative to either coach your team or just be a resource for your team to become more organized.
I really want to play Ultimate, but I'm scared to come out to a pickup? I can't even throw a disc.
Never be afraid to come out to one of our pickups or join a league. Local ultimate players are some of the nicest and friendlist people you'll meet. Even if you've never touched a disc before, a player would be happy to explain the sport to you or just toss around on the sideline till you're ready to join in a game. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send us an e-mail at info@upoz.org. One of our representatives would be happy to come out to a specific pickup and work with you individually.
Does it matter what disc you use?
Actually yes. The Ultimate Players Association has a list of disc models on their website that are approved for Ultimate: http://www.upa.org/disc. The preferred model by almost ALL Ultimate players is the Discraft Ultra-Star 175-gram. Discraft also makes a smaller model called the J*Star which is approved for use with elementary and middle school students as it is lighter and easier for them to throw.
Where can I buy these discs?
You can't find these discs anywhere in stores but can be ordered through multiple websites. A list of stores can be found on the Discraft website: http://discraft.com/order.html#retail. Also try contacting our organization at info@upoz.org. We always have a bunch of extra discs lying around we'd be happy to sell you at discounted prices or even donate to your cause.
Why do you always use the word disc instead of Frisbee®?
The word Frisbee® is actually a registered trademark by the Wham-O Corporation for their original “Flying Disc”, and therefore is not to be used without permission from the company. The sport's official name is just "Ultimate".
How long do normal games of Ultimate last?
A regulation game of Ultimate is normally played to a score of 13. Games are usually capped at an hour and a half.
I'm a parent/educater/etc. and would like to learn more?
Don't hesitate to give us a shout at info@upoz.org. The UPOz staff would love to answer any questions or meet with you directly to talk about any possible avenues in which we may be assistance.
