Session E1

This session will teach the skills of changing grip to use different throws, deceleration to change running direction, and how to call for a stoppage in a self-refereed game.

Preparation: Use cones to set up one field for every ten participants (25m wide, 35-40m long goal-to-goal, plus 12-15m long endzones). These fields can also be used as playing areas for activities.

Introduction

  • Set the expectations for the session – area and equipment used, and what skills will be taught
  • Outline any safety considerations for the session

Warm-Up

Look Out For Others

Skill – Changing Grip

During a game, players will sometimes need to change their grip from a backhand to a forehand, or vice versa.

  • Start by holding the disc flat with both hands (one on either side of the disc)
    • Use their non-dominant hand to stabilise the disc while changing grip for a backhand throw
    • Now use their non-dominant hand to stabilise the disc while changing grip for a forehand throw
  • Introduce the pivot action, practising changing grip while changing pivot stance
    • Move from a backhand stance and grip, to a forehand stance and grip
    • Move from a forehand stance and grip, to a backhand stance and grip

Activity – Changing Grip

Play Pairs Passing, but add in a “call and response” component – call out the throw to use (backhand or forehand), or call out a change to make (eg: start backhand, but throw forehand)

Pairs Passing

Skill – Deceleration and Changing Direction

Ultimate is played on a narrower field than other sports, so sharp changes of direction are important to find space.

To do this, ultimate players practice a movement called “chop stops” to slow down quickly and be ready to take off in another direction.

Set up two lines 15m apart. Have the players jog at 50% from one line to the other. Once they reach the line, tell them to sink their hips and take as many little steps as possible to slow down their speed to a stop. Though it’s usually not necessary to use more than 3-4 steps to come to a complete stop, everyone should exaggerate the number of steps and the drop of their hips so that it’s more natural at faster speeds.

Keep an eye on players to make sure their knees are staying lined up over their toes as they drop their hips. They are risking injury if their knees buckle inwards.

Increase the speed slightly each new rep as they become more comfortable with the action.

Extra Activity (for longer sessions) – Out-In Drill

  • Set up two lines facing each other about 15-20m apart. The front 4-5 players should have a disc each. One player at the front of one line starts without a disc as the “cutter”
  • The cutter from one line runs away from the opposite group for 5m, performs a “chop stop”, then turns and runs back towards the opposite group.
  • The front of the opposite group throws a pass out into space for the cutter to run on to and catch.
  • The thrower then becomes the next cutter and mirrors the action going the other way for a pass from the opposite line.
  • Players join the back of the line they are running towards.
  • Repeat until a set time or set number of catches

Activity – Self-Refereeing: Pausing and Restarting Play

In a self-refereed sport, all players should get comfortable pausing play if they think there has been a foul or other breach of the rules. Players should also learn to stop whenever someone on either team calls for a pause so a conversation about the breach can happen.

The action for pausing play is to wave both arms above your head. If a player sees someone else do that, they should repeat it until everyone is aware that play has paused.

To restart play after a pause, the closest defender to the disc checks both teams are ready, gives a loud “3-2-1” countdown and taps the disc. If a defender isn’t within reach of the disc, the thrower taps the disc to the ground instead.

To practice this, play a game called “The Mole”

Keep Away

The Mole is Keep Away but with the following variations

  • The coach/teacher secretly gives someone on each team the job of “The Mole” for their team. The Mole has to try and make sure their team loses the game without being obvious about it. They can try and be “bad” at the game, or try to cheat (eg: taking too many steps with the disc)
  • If someone wants to accuse a teammate of being The Mole, they have to pause the play (waving arms above their head).
  • Once the game is paused, they can discuss with others first before making an accusation.
  • If they are incorrect, then play restarts via a disc tap
  • If they are correct, start a new round and pick a new Mole

Strat Chat

How can we use the skills we just practiced in a game?

  • Hold the disc in both hands after a catch, then change into the grip to throw with
  • Use chop stops to change direction and run into open space
  • Pause play if we think there has been a breach of the rules, even an accidental one

Play Ultimate!

  • Keep teams small – no more than five per side on the field
  • Don’t explain tactics, just get everyone moving!
  • Make an effort to ensure everyone is involved
  • Use the CHANGE IT sheet to make adjustments if needed
CHANGE IT (PDF)

Finish up

  • Ask participants to return all cones and discs
  • Thank them for playing!
  • Tell them about the Ultimate Victoria website to find out more about the sport