School Games
The information on this page is helpful for School Games Organisers, Active Partnerships, schools and teachers starting to play Ultimate and working towards introducing local competition (intra / inter school or similar).
In the document linked below you can find all the information you need to run a School Games event including simple rules, adaptations and a simple spirit scoring matrix:
Suggested disc for secondary schools and KS3 / 4 competition: Ultrastar
Suggested disc for primary schools and KS2 competition: Jstar
Tell us about your School Games event and get 10 FREE discs
“The children have thoroughly enjoyed their experiences playing Ultimate Frisbee. This is an exciting sport that really encourages team work and respect. The Spirit of the Game element means that children who might normally be intimidated by competitive sport can represent their school and enjoy it. The children thrived in such a positive sporting atmosphere and it was lovely to see them grow in confidence. They didn’t stop smiling all week!”
Russel Scott Primary School, Tameside
Find out more about CPD workshops for teachers, students, schools and Young Leaders
Downloadable 10 simple rules and pitch layout:
Ultimate can be played indoors (in a sports hall) and outdoors on grass, Astro or 3G and even on the beach!
At schools and in School Games competition we suggest 4 a-side mixed gender on a pitch roughly 30m x 15m but you can adapt the size of the pitch for your circumstances and the space you have available.
Don’t forget to think about having a safe space around the pitch for a run-off - minimum 1m indoors and up to 5m outdoors.
Don’t forget about Spirit of the Game
Ultimate doesn’t have referees, the players referee the game themselves. If there is an infraction to the rules (a foul for example) players make their own calls, take part in a quick discussion with their opponent and come to an agreement. If they agree on the call, the disc stays with the player who made the call; if the disagree the disc goes back to the last undisputed thrower. This is simply about being honest and remembering it’s ok if you disagree!
Spirit of the Game is what helps players to self-referee acting as a reminder of the categories of good sportsmanship: knowing and applying the rules, avoiding fouls and body contact where possible, maintaining a positive attitude, being fair-minded and communicating respectfully.
Teams should give their opponent a spirit score after their game and there can be spirit winner of the event. Spirit of the Game scoring is a great part of the whole event and can be a good way to help develop sporting values and enjoyment. As an event organiser don’t forget to factor in a minute or two after each game or at the end of the games for teams to score each other and submit their spirit score to you.
School Games format - adaptations for those who already know Ultimate
The School Games format has a simple set of rules with some simplifications on the rules of Ultimate. The main differences are as follows:
Even number of players on a team with the same number of girls and boys. 4-a-side is encouraged for School Games competition to encourage more touches on the disc for all involved
No stall count
No brick mark
Players sub o the fly at any time by high-fiving a teammate of the same gender on the sideline