What is ultimate?
Click here for the quick photo guide
Ultimate is a game played with a disc between two teams of 7 (outdoors) or 5 (indoors). It is often described as a cross between American football and netball.
Players try to pass the disc between their team members and catch it in the "endzone" they are attacking. If they do so, a point is scored, and the teams swap ends. The team that scored then throws the disc to the other team to start the next point. Players cannot run with the disc, and must come to a stop as soon as possible after catching it. A player holding the disc has 10 seconds to pass it to a team mate. The defender marking the player with the disc counts aloud to ten, and if the disc has not been released by the time the marker says "ten", the defending team take possession. If the disc is intercepted or dropped, possession goes to the defending team, and it is their turn to try and score in the other endzone.
The winner is the first team to reach a set number of points. If the disc is thrown out of the pitch (or a player is off the pitch when catching the disc), possession switches teams and the disc is brought into play at the nearest point on the pitch proper (i.e. not in the endzones) to where it went out.
Ultimate is a non-contact sport, but unlike any other sport, it is self-refereed. It is the responsibility of all players to settle disputes fairly, according to the guidance laid down in the rules of Ultimate. "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." - WFDF Rules of Disc Sports.
Isn't it called a "Frisbee"?
What is the difference between "ultimate" and "ultimate Frisbee"?
Many people refer to it as a "Frisbee", but ultimate players call it a disc. "Frisbee" is a trademark owned by an American company who make a particular brand of flying discs. So often people who are referring to "ultimate Frisbee" really just mean "ultimate".
"Ultimate" sounds like a stupid name...
It's an American name, since that's where the sport originated. It might sound a bit silly, but the sport is far from stupid. Try it and find out for yourself.
I've never played before, is that ok?
No problem at all. Most people only start playing at university, indeed many start in their second or third years, whilst some start even later. Come along to one of our introductory sessions at the end of freshers' week, to find out what it's all about, or come along to one of our practices at some point - we are more than happy to introduce newcomers to the sport at any time. We have players of many different standards, from GB players to absolute beginners and we cater for all abilities. We enter several specific beginners' tournaments in Michaelmas term, where you can play against other people from other universities who haven't played much before, either. Ultimate tournaments usually take place on weekends, and are great fun - usually they involve a huge party on the Saturday night, and trying to play through a hangover the following morning.
Do you have a lot of social events, then?
Of course. We pride ourselves on the social side of ultimate, all helped by the "spirit of the game" notion. We often organise social events in and around Cambridge, and the general ultimate community itself is very friendly and welcoming. Check out the evidence in our photo galleries...
Who exactly are you?
This is the website for Ultimate in Cambridge. Practices are open to anyone, and as well as the University team entering student-only tournaments, both students and non-students enter many tournaments as an "open" team, competing under the name of "Cambridge Ultimate". Although they may be old, townies have their uses, and in many cases are actually quite good at throwing a disc. They do, however, have a tendency to produce chunks, and often have to go home early. The executive committee in charge of everything can be found here.
Where can I find out more?
Try the World Flying Disc Federation, the international governing body for the sport, or UK Ultimate, the national one. This website gives tips and contains much more on how to play ultimate. Also check our useful links page or alternatively email us and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
