Ultimate Frisbee

It may be assocaited with child's play, but ultimate frisbee is fast, frenetic and exciting and is a great family activity. It is described as a cross between football and netball - only using a plastic disc instead of a ball. It is a non-contact sport like netball and involves players trying to get the disc ito a scoring zone at the end of the pitch by throwing it to each other - no running is allowed whilst you are holding the frisbee!

Ultimate Frisbe has seen a surge in populrity since the dawn of the 21st Century and it has devleoped and enhaced as a sport. This development has emphasised a code of conduct that must be adhered to. The code involves fair play, fun and sportsmanship. The games don't have referees and any disputes involving whether a foul has been committed must be resolved by the two teams. Although Ultimate Frisbee is a competitive game and the aim is to win, the key to enjoying the game to the full is to respect and play to the rules.

Ultimate Frisbee is an adaptable game which can change to suit the size of the group and the number of people involved. In official matches, teams are made up of 7 players on a rectangular pitch, 64 metres by 37 metres with a line drawn to create an end zone 18 metres deep with two 24-minute sessions. Points are scored by pasing the frisbee to a player standing in the 'end zone'. If the frisbee is dropped or falls to the floor, the other team takes possession. Players mark each other and try to catch the frisbee as it is thrown.Once you have caught the frisbee, you have ten seconds to throw it which helps make the game fast-paced and exhilarating and helps the game to be fair.

To get involved with Ultimate Frisbee regularly, there are many clubs throughout the country for you and the family to join. The UK Ultimate association lists all the clubs in the Uk here.

Obviously though, Ultimate Frisbee is a game you can play in your back garden with a few props for improvisation. If you don't want to try it regularly, then there is nothing stopping you marking a couple of goals in the back garden with a few cones and playing with the family. It is also a great beach activity and can be played with as few as 4 people!

Even if you're not brilliant at throwing a Frisbee, you can easily learn as the technique isn't too difficult and this activity can provide hours of family fun!! The UKUA even offer training if ou want to get into the sport seriously. Click here for more information about coaching from the UKUA.