Session F3

This session will teach the skills of passing to teammates who are in motion, and transitioning from offence to defence (and vice versa).

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

Form A Group

Activity – Throw To A Moving Target

Passes should be made to players who are moving rather than stationary, otherwise defenders can easily intercept the disc.

A disc stays in the air for longer than a ball, so players should try to “float” the disc out in front of where their team mate is running to, rather than try and throw directly to them.

To practice this, use the “Archery” drill.

  • Divide into two groups who will compete against each other.
  • For each group, set up three concentric squares, with the outside square being 5-6m wide, the middle square 3-4m, and the inner square 1-2m
  • Have two lines of players – one in front of the squares about 5m away from the outer edge (throwers) and one at an angle on the opposite side of the squares (cutters)
  • The cutter should run towards the inner square in a straight line, and the thrower attempts to “float” a throw that will meet them in middle.
  • A catch in the inner square is 3 points, in the middle square is 2 points and the outer is 1 point. A drop or miss is 0 points.
  • Players join the opposite line after the rep – thrower goes to the cutter line, cutter joins the thrower line.
  • Go until every player has thrown twice and total up the scores.

Activity – Transition from Offence to Defence, and Defence to Offence

Turnovers of possession can happen quickly in ultimate without time to properly adjust, so players need to practice switching from one role to another.

  • Offence to Defence – determine 1v1 guarding matchups. The most common way to do this is to guard the player that was guarding you, but sometimes offence players can be spread around the field away from defenders.
  • Defence to Offence – getting into position (handlers and stack) before picking up the disc. Usually the positions are determined before a point starts, but sometimes improvisation is needed.

To practice changing from O to D

  • Divide the group into two even teams. One starts on the sideline of the field facing away. The other all hold a sash/bib and scatter themselves around the field.
  • On a count of 3 or a whistle, the first team tries to collect all the sashes/bibs as fast as they can, but they can only collect one each.
  • Swap teams and compare times.
  • Before the second round, encourage teams to come up with a strategy. The most common strategy used in games is to prioritise matching up on players closest to the goal first, and the handlers last. So the optimal strategy is to prioritise the furthest away sashes/bibs first.
  • For the third round, the team holding the sashes/bibs can be jogging around instead of standing still. Remind them they are not trying to evade being caught.

To practice changing from D to O

  • Divide the group into two teams. Each take turns doing this activity.
  • Start the group on the sideline facing away from the field. Throw the disc to a random spot on the field, then give a signal for the group to move.
  • The group needs to determine who will go to the disc, who will set up as the dump, and who will be at the front of the stack. All other players join the stack. Have the group complete three passes as if it is live play, but without defence.
    • Encourage the player who is picking up the disc to move slower so that their teammates have time to set up the formation before play starts.
  • Swap groups over and repeat.

Strat Chat

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

  • Trying to catch on the run so defenders can’t intercept
  • Throw to cutters who are moving
  • Changing from offence formation to playing defence
  • Setting up an offence formation after earning a turnover on defence

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