Unbeknownst to some, there are multiple club sports located on the campus of Arkansas State University. However, most do not realize that there is a sport in which anyone can play. That sport is known as ultimate frisbee.
Ultimate frisbee is a simple game. Some play for fun though, while others play for competition. Some have played the game since they were little, while others are just learning the game. Not all players are major athletes, most students are from all different majors of all different walks of life.
So now that the introduction is out of the way, what exactly is ultimate frisbee? First and foremost, there are two teams, named A and B. There are 15 players to a team, with 7 players actually out on the field during the action. Most of the practices for the Red Wolves take place on Mondays at the Old Track and Field in front of the Convocation Center. Pickup games are held on Thursdays for new members wishing to join. Other rules are listed below as follows.
- The Field: A rectangular shape with end zones at each end. A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards, with end zones 25 yards deep.
- Initiate Play: Each point begins with both teams lining up on the front of their respective end zone line. The defense throws (“pulls”) the disc to the offense. A regulation game has seven players per team.
- Scoring: Each time the offense completes a pass in the defense’s end zone, the offense scores a point. Play is initiated after each score.
- Movement of the Disc: The disc may be advanced in any direction by completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the disc. The person with the disc (“thrower”) has ten seconds to throw the disc. The defender guarding the thrower (“marker”) counts out the stall count.
- Change of Possession: When a pass is not completed (e.g. out of bounds, drop, block, interception), the defense immediately takes possession of the disc and becomes the offense.
- Substitutions: Players not in the game may replace players in the game after a score and during an injury timeout.
- Non-contact: No physical contact is allowed between players. Picks and screens are also prohibited. A foul occurs when contact is made.
- Fouls: When a player initiates contact on another player a foul occurs. When a foul disrupts possession, the play resumes as if the possession was retained. If the player committing the foul disagrees with the foul call, the play is redone.
- Self-Officiating: Players are responsible for their own foul and line calls. Players resolve their own disputes.
- Spirit of the Game: Ultimate stresses sportsmanship and fair play. Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect between players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of play.
So there you go. Some of the basic rules. Now, what about Frisbee styles? Some may think that all a person does is throw the frisbee, yet there are different ways in which the frisbee can be thrown.
“There are different styles of throwing the frisbee,” frisbee player Dylan Travis said. “From the Forehand, the Backhand, the Flick, the Hammer, the Scoober, you name it, there different ways to throw the frisbee.”
When it comes to the club sport, a major problem can be funding. The Frisbee club receives funding from the ASU Action Fund and the Play It Again Sports, which is an athletic equipment retailer in Jonesboro.
Overall, the Frisbee club is still up and coming, much like the other club sports on the campus. One thing it has going for it though, is the interest garnered by students who know the game. That will help the sport tremendously in terms of attracting new players, and eventually (possibly), enough funding to form a potential NCAA Team.
Links:
http://www.usaultimate.org/index.html
http://www.usaultimate.org/mobile/default.aspx
http://www.usaultimate.org/resources/officiating/rules/default.aspx
http://www.asuherald.com/mobile/news/ultimate-frisbee-club-joins-asu-1.2798698
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