Ultimate Frisbee, officially called Ultimate, is similar to many other sports like Football in some ways but also very unique in many other aspects.
It has some benefits that you’d get from playing any sport – such as fitness, heart health etc. – but also others that you can only enjoy from playing Ultimate.
Top 10 benefits of playing Ultimate Frisbee
1. It’s fun
Ultimate is one of the most fun sports. Many people find throwing a disc more fun and considerably easier than kicking or throwing a ball.
The game is also fast-paced with far fewer fouls and penalties than most other sports including football and American Football.
But perhaps what makes the game really fun is the sense of sportsmanship that pervades the sport. Most games have no referees, relying on players to self-govern.
Instead of a win-at-all-costs mentality, many Ultimate Frisbee players simply want to have a good time.
2. It makes your fitter
Throwing the disc is perhaps the easiest part of Ultimate Frisbee. The game has a fast pace, with lots of running involved.
When your team is on offence, you need to run fast to catch the disc. When you are defending, you have to outrun the other team and jump to try and intercept the disc.
If you are looking for a fun way to get fitter, Ultimate Frisbee is great.
It incorporates different types of movements, making sure you exert almost all parts of your body, essentially giving you a full body workout.
There’s running, jumping and stretching not to mention all the arm exercises when you throw the disc.
3. Improves athleticism
With all the running, jumping and throwing, Ultimate Frisbee is great for athletes who are looking for a way to improve their speed, precision, strength and coordination.
These qualities translate well to other sports like football, tennis and even running.
It’s not uncommon to find athletes majoring in other sports dabbling in Ultimate Frisbee during their free time.
It’s like going to the gym, only more fun.
4. Good for your health
Ultimate Frisbee combines cardio, stretching and strength training into one sport. It works out your heart, strengthens your muscles and burns lots of calories.
If you are looking to lose weight, tone your leg muscles or just become more active, we highly recommend Ultimate Frisbee.
Because it’s fun, it doesn’t feel like work, making it easier to do it consistently compared to going to the gym.
Playing Ultimate Frisbee regularly can reduce the risk of various lifestyle diseases including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
It’s also good for your mental health.
Like any other exercise, Ultimate Frisbee lifts your moods, lowers stress levels and helps with anxiety and depression.
It’ll also significantly reduce your risk of dementia as you age.
5. No equipment other than the disc
Ultimate Frisbee is one of the cheapest sports to start playing.
All you need is a good Frisbee disc and you are ready to play.
Of course, you need a team kit for serious games. But for casual play, you can wear anything that’s comfortable for running and jumping.
No other equipment is required. No nets, no goalposts and no helmets or gloves.
Talking of helmets and gloves, or rather the lack of them in the sport, one of the biggest benefits of playing Ultimate Frisbee is safety.
6. Safer than most sports
Rugby, soccer, American Football, basketball and many other sports have a significantly high risk of serious injury.
You can still get injured playing Ultimate Frisbee but the risk is less compared to other sports.
One of the reasons for this is that it is a non-contact sport. So it’s less likely for someone to trip you, bump hard into you or for their elbow to end up on the side of your face.
For parents who are looking for a safe game they can get their kids started on, Ultimate Frisbee is an excellent choice.
7. Relatively easy to learn
Now, I’m not saying that Ultimate Frisbee is easy. You need to learn lots of techniques and skills to become a good player not to mention all the physical demands, meaning you have to be fit.
But compared to other sports, it’s relatively easy for beginners to learn the basics and get into the game. The rules are not as many or complicated as in other sports.
Many people find it easier to learn how to throw a disc instead of hitting or dribbling a ball.
8. Few rules
If you’ve ever watched a game of Ultimate Frisbee, you may have noticed that there are few fouls and penalties.
Gameplay is generally fast passed and continuous without many interruptions.
That’s because there aren’t many rules for players to break. So you can enjoy playing without worrying that you are breaking a gazillion rules.
9. Versatile
Want to play in your backyard rather than an official size Ultimate field?
Do you have only 4 people to split between two teams instead of the usual 14?
Do you want to play for 10 minutes or 1 hour?
The answer to all the above questions is up to you.
For casual play, the field size doesn’t matter. A sufficiently large area such as your backyard is enough. You can mark where the end zones are.
As for the size of teams, it can be as few as 2 against 2 or the official 7 against 7.
Play period is also not fixed. You decide how many points carry the game. The team that reaches that score first wins.
10. Perfect for family and friends
Playing Ultimate Frisbee is a great way to spend time with family and friends, one of many benefits of playing Ultimate Frisbee.
For one, anyone can play the game from kids to older adults (running is not mandatory).
Second, it’s safe for everyone including kids.
Three, it’s beginner-friendly. If there’s a family member or friend who’s never played Ultimate Frisbee, they can learn the basics in a few minutes.
If you are wondering what activity to plan for the next family event or when you hang out with your friends, we suggest Ultimate Frisbee.
