Dean's Ultimate Musing
Ultimate?...When you first hear this very ostentacious name, you quickly wonder who and the heck this egotistical group was, that named the sport. But when you play it, you see. You see that this game has imported many aspects from the world's favourite sports. You also see that there are no judges or referees on the field. And finally, you see that it's played with the one thing that you won't recognize from these other games......a familiar frisbee, or as it's properly and generically known, a disc. Frisbee, as most people have come to know it, happens to simply be a brand name.
If you're still reading this, you've probably thrown a disc at least once in your lifetime. At the park. In your backyard. To your dog. But have you ever just simply watched one? In other sports, the "object in motion" is usually moving way too fast to really "see" it. Or more specifically, enjoy it. Sure, the home run ball over the back wall thrills the stadium crowd. The round chunk of black rubber squeezing through the five-hole always jump-starts the arena. A three-pointer from downtown always gets B-ball fans out of their seats. But you see, it's the scoring of the point that excites us, not the physical movement of the ball or the puck. Nothing quite compares to the beautiful flight pattern of a flying disc as it soars through the mist of a cool summer evening, hovering over your head, gradually descending, as gravity slowly pulls it towards your out-stretched hand.
Sure, I may be eloquently romanticising it a bit, but that's usually what true passion brings out in us, don't you agree? Remember your first crush? And your first broken heart? Yeah, that's it, now you're there with me. It's all about the passion. This sport has me wrapped around it's little finger, and for those of you who have never played it, or even heard of it for that matter, please allow me to explain it's attraction.
The sport of Ultimate adopts the non-stop movement and athletic endurance of football, hockey, soccer, and basketball into it's physical playing of the game. The rules are self-refereed, much like golf, and settled amongst the players. These ingredients, when properly measured, mixed, and poured into this huge cauldron of sport stew, combine to how I believe, the sport arrived to be named "Ultimate". But there's something else to it too; the most important aspect, as far as I'm concerned. And that something is called "Spirit Of The Game". It is also the biggest difference between it and all other sports. Whereas most other team sports are committed to winning outright, with little or no regard towards their opponent, Ultimate teams compete in the truest example of sportsmanship.
There are two lines in The Ultimate Players Association's definition of "Spirit Of The Game" that sum it all up :
"The glue that holds Ultimate together is the implicit (and yes, idealistic) assumption that no one will intentionally violate the rules in order to gain an unfair advantage. It is this mutual respect and trust between competitors - even in the heat of battle - that results in the best possible experience for everyone involved, and preserves the integrity of the sport."
So now, you see? I hope I have shown you, through my eyes, enough of this game, that it will pique your curiosity to play it. And see why this sport is so aptly named Ultimate. Hope to see you soon.Rules of Ultimate
If you are interested in Ultimate and would like to learn more about it, here are some great links to help you out!