The UFA is excited to offer a digital curriculum for youth ultimate instructors and enthusiasts! Through many years of hands-on instruction we’ve picked up many game adaptations that make learning the game fun for beginners of all ages! The full 14-video series is now available on watchUFA.tv or can be purchased independently here.

If you would like to view the free game descriptions, rules, and sample curriculums you can follow the links below. Full video access is behind the watchUFA.tv paywall.

Game Descriptions

• Backhand: The backhand is the most fundamental throw in ultimate! This video covers the basic principles to keep in mind when starting to learn to throw.
• Forehand: The forehand or “flick” is also an absolutely fundamental throw, especially in more competitive environments. This video covers the basic principles to keep in mind when starting to throw a forehand.
• Catching: Catching is a fundamental part of ultimate at any level; all exercises and games will reward skilled receivers and instructors should impress the importance of the skill on participants. This video covers the basic principles of catching but is by no means all-inclusive, we encourage any exercises that promote hand-eye coordination as that will improve catching ability.
• Defense: Defense wins championships! Or at least that’s what they say. Defensive concepts will get more attention in our later videos but watch this video for the basics of defense at the beginner level.
• Monarch: Monarch is a high-energy game for small to medium-sized groups that is a mix of dodgeball and tag. We recommend the use of soft discs (Dodgebee) if you have them but the game can be played with Ultrastars as long as participants are careful.
• Party Game: Once they understand the rules kids will play this game for hours! It doesn’t require much movement and can be adapted to fit any time you need to fill in your practice plan. Best of all, it’s great for all levels since the biggest and fastest person doesn’t always win! Play a round or two to see what we mean…
• Popcorn Catching: Popcorn catching is an exercise designed to give participants a high volume of opportunities to practice catching. The exercise can be done in groups of 3-5 and can easily be adjusted by the participants to challenge different skill levels.
• Tug-of-War: Tug-of-war throwing is a mini-game designed to be played in pairs and to give participants a chance to work on accurate throws and catches. It can be utilized in groups of any size and, when played competitively, will produce a winning pair.
• 5-Touch: This is a high-energy game that focuses on completing passes instead of scoring in an endzone. This game gives participants more chances to catch and throw than a typical scrimmage would provide and can be played in small to medium-sized groups. Be aware of players tending to clump around the person with the disc when first beginning play.
• 4-Lines: This is a highly adaptable exercise that allows participants to practice throws and catches in a more game-like environment. The exercise introduces the concept of “cutting” to younger players and can be a physically demanding exercise, especially when a skilled deep thrower is involved. This is a great exercise for large groups since the drill can be broken into 2 or 4 lines to accommodate more participants.
• Land Mines: Land Mines is a great replacement for static throwing and incorporates a strategy and competition element to practice. This game is highly adaptable and can be used with 2+ teams of any number of participants.
• High Rise Throwing: High Rise Throwing is a partner throwing game where a team competes against other pairs in chaotic, timed rounds of throwing fun! This is a fantastic game for beginners to play instead of simply practicing “static throwing” because the dynamics of the game make for lots of fun interactions and, when run properly, the biggest and strongest players don’t always win! 
• BOOT: BOOT is a fantastic mini-game that helps players of all levels work on basic skills and strategy. BOOT is a great pre-cursor to scrimmaging because it is often easier for new players to pick up and you do not need to have a set number of people. This is one of the most underrated games with a disc!
• Scrimmage: The truth is most people just want to play! Watch our videos on how to make the most out of your scrimmages and what adaptations you can make to improve gameplay at whatever level you’re playing.

Click here to view a sample curriculum.