How Much Is A Goal Worth In Ultimate Frisbee?

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Scoring in a frisbee match is less complicated than scoring in sports such as soccer or basketball. In Frisbee, only one team can score at a time. So, how much is a goal worth in ultimate Frisbee? 

How Much Is a Goal Worth in Ultimate Frisbee?

A goal is worth one point. Throwing an incomplete pass or dropping your disc on your side of the field will result in a turnover. Players commit a foul for violating the no-contact rule if they impede their opponent’s progress without actively stopping them.

The rules and regulations of every game are different. However, it comes down to one team trying to advance the frisbee disc towards their opponent’s end zone. In this article, we’ll discuss the various things there is to learn about ultimate frisbee. 

Man catching a frisbee disc

What Is a Throw?

In 2017, about 3 million people were participating in frisbee. This number is currently higher. Therefore learning to throw a frisbee is an essential factor in playing this game.

A throw is a way of propelling the frisbee to get it into play. There are several different throws based on how far or high you want to throw the disc. Another factor to consider is what part of the field you want it in.

Every throw has a specific purpose in ultimate Frisbee based on its distance, angle, and power. Some throws are short passes you put quickly into play, while others travel further distances at higher speeds for longer periods.

Types of Throws in Ultimate Frisbee

Although there are several types of throws, most throws fall under two categories: backhand and forehand.

Forehand

This is a throw over the shoulder and release from fingers facing down with a thumb on top. It is a highly controlled throw that lacks power in comparison to sidearm throws. A forehand throw is either an upfield or downfield throw depending on whether your left or right-hand does the throwing.

Backhand

A backhand is similar to a forehand, except the release point comes from “the bottom,” not the side. The grip for this throw is generally between the forefinger and middle finger. 

A backhand throw is released early to produce maximum power. It can be very accurate if done correctly.

Kid about to throw a disc

Sidearm 

The most common throw is a sidearm thrown over the shoulder and releases from fingers facing down with the thumb on top. Even though this allows for maximum power, it results in a lack of control.

Spin Out

The spin-out occurs when you throw the disk, spinning away from your body with one hand, catching it with another hand in a different location. This can be either backhand or sidearm. It is important to use both gloved hands to catch the frisbee.

Hammer

A hammer, or scoober as it’s sometimes called, has the power of a forehand with added height. To achieve this throw, hold the frisbee like a backhand and pull your arm up before throwing forward in an arcing motion to gain some distance on the disc. 

Hybrid

A combination between backhand and forehand is used when there’s not enough time to make a full backhand or forehand throw. This is useful when trying to aim for someone, and there’s no way of getting the disc up high to reach them.

Three Ways to Score

There are three other ways to score: 

  • Getting a foul
  • Completing a pass after catching the pull
  • Completing a pass as part of your team’s normal offensive flow.

1. Getting a Foul

This is generally the least common way to score since the other two options are more intuitive and available in much higher volumes. There is a statistically significant number of games where one team spends most of their energy marking and defending against an opponent’s best players. 

You or your teammate will find yourselves open at some point in the game because your defender is exhausted. If you catch a pass at that moment, it’s worth 1 point. No one got a block on the play, and you probably scored quickly and painlessly.

2. Completing a Pass After Catching the Pull

This is also pretty rare. It occasionally happens when an offense starts in a highly horizontal stack. If the pull goes up and someone is open in the back of the endzone, it’s possible to complete a quick pass.

Players first to win a goal in an ultimate frisbee game

This is necessary for an easy score that might not have been there just seconds earlier, and it is worth one point.

3. Completing a Pass as Part of Your Team’s Normal Offensive Flow

This is the most common and probably most impactful. Most teams run some vertical stack, and they typically do so because it creates spacing where each player has at least one or sometimes more defenders.

Related Questions

What Is the Goal Line in Ultimate Frisbee?

The goal line is the end zone that players try to advance closer toward possession of the disc. Players can score a point after catching it before throwing it across this line without touching it out of bounds. 

How Can I Help My Team Score More Goals?

Setting up opportunities to receive passes from other players and advance closer toward their opponent’s end zone line. You should also be willing to receive any passes thrown your way.

When Should I Set Up My Team for a Scoring Opportunity?

It is important to set up your team for a scoring opportunity as often as possible. The most common time is when you’re in possession of the disc and advancing across your opponent’s end zone line. 

What Should I Do if Our Opponents Catch the Frisbee? 

An opposing player can catch a pass from one of their teammates during ultimate frisbee play. Quickly transition into defense and attempt to force a turnover. 

Conclusion

The value of a goal in ultimate is one point. The number of ways to score is limited, nevertheless, the importance of scoring is huge. It’s worth spending your time and energy developing skills to complete one of the three ways to score listed above.

Tim Frechette is an avid athlete, having played sports like soccer and basketball his entire life. He brings a wealth of athletic knowledge to his writing.