How to Play Ultimate

A throw without a catch is a turn (the other team gets the disc). In order to score a goal you need to catch the disc. If you want to advance down field you need to be able to catch the disc. Sometimes on defense you’ll want to intercept the disc. How do you effectively catch?

Use both hands!

Really, that’s the easiest way to catch a disc. When trying to catch the disc, always use both hands when possible. One handed catches should be rare if at all. The safest way to catch is the Pancake Catch.

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Having problems throwing a flick? Need to figure out why the disc isn’t flying smooth? Try these tips to get your forehand up to par.

1. Disc flies higher than expected.
   The front, or leading, edge of the disc must be lowered. Make sure that the disc is level.
2. Disc always hits the ground before the target.
   Try raising the front, or leading, edge of the disc when throwing. The disc needs to be flat to fly straight and level.
3. Disc turns or wobbles and hits the ground rolling.
   Keep the disc level when throwing. Your palm should face the sky for the entire throw.
   Snap your wrist more. Really snapping the disc gives the disc more spin which helps it to fight the elements.
   Follow through. Stopping your hand might be causing your fingers to hit the disc after release.
   Stop swinging your arm. You might be trying to throw with your arm instead of your wrist. The wrist is where all of the action happens!
4. Disc arcs left too much.
   Make sure the disc is level. For a right handed person, try not to raise the edge opposite your hand. For a left handed person, try not to lower the edge opposite your hand.
5. Disc arcs right too much.
   Keep the disc level. For a right handed person, you might be lowering the edge opposite your hand. As a lefty, you might be raising the opposite edge too much.
6. The disc always goes left or right (instead of straight).
   Practice your release.
   Try releasing earlier or later.
   Follow through.

The forehand throw, also known as the “Flick”, is another versatile throw which all beginners should learn as soon as possible. Like the backhand, the idea is to snap the wrist to generate spin. The first mistake most people learning the forehand make is to use a lot of arm and not enough wrist. The throw is entirely in the wrist. Trying some fancy wind-up with the arm will only hurt your forehand while learning.

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Still having problems throwing a backhand? Just have a few kinks to work out with a certain situation? Try these tips to perfect your backhand.

1. The disc always goes much higher than intended.
   Try lowering the front, or leading, edge a little. The disc needs to be level when thrown.
2. The disc always goes towards the ground.
   Try pointing the front, or leading, edge of the disc upwards. The disc needs to be level when thrown.
3. The disc hooks to the left.
   Make sure to keep the disc level.
   If you throw right-handed, make sure the edge opposite your hand is not pointing downwards.
   If you throw left-handed, make sure the edge opposite your hand is not pointing upwards.
4. The disc hooks to the right.
   Keep the disc level.
   If you’re right-handed, the edge opposite your hand is probably tipped upwards.
   If you’re left-handed, the edge opposite your hand might be pointing towards the ground.
5. The disc won’t go straight to the target.
   Try releasing earlier or later. The disc goes straight from where you release it.
6. The disc wobbles.
   Snap your wrist harder.
   Grip the disc tighter before releasing.
   Make sure you’re releasing smoothly without bumping or rubbing the disc.
7. You can’t throw the disc with much power.
   Try snapping the disc harder.
   Make sure you’ve got a proper stance. Your shoulder should face your target and you should step out with the foot on the same side as your throwing arm.
8. The disc always floats towards the end.
   Make sure you’re keeping the disc level.
   When you release make sure that you do so cleanly. If you push down on the disc with your thumb, for example, the disc is going to have a different action.

The backhand throw is the most common throw. Most beginners already know how to throw backhand as it is the quintessential way to throw a “Frisbee” in the park or on the beach. In fact, you probably already know how to throw the backhand. For now, let’s assume that you’ve never touched a disc before.

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