Ultimate Frisbee Skills

Year Level

Year 7 (Age 12-13)

Duration

61 minutes

Class Size

20 students

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Curriculum Links

The lesson aligns with the New South Wales (NSW) Curriculum for Health and Physical Education, specifically:

• Movement Skills and Performance: Practise and refine specialized movement skills in a variety of physical activities and movement environments (ACPMP060).
• Movement Concepts and Strategies: Apply movement concepts and strategies to achieve movement outcomes (ACPMP061).
• Personal, Social and Community Health: Examine how participation in physical activity supports social connection and wellbeing (ACPPS066).
• Movement and Physical Activity: Demonstrate and refine fundamental and specialised movement skills, and apply movement strategies in game situations (ACPMP068).

These alignments ensure the lesson develops students’ fundamental motor skills, tactical understanding, teamwork, and personal and social capability within physical education contexts.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the correct grip and throwing technique when passing a frisbee.
2. Use appropriate catching techniques, including the “crocodile snap” and “sandwich” catch.
3. Participate effectively in small group target relay activities to improve accuracy and control.
4. Engage in a modified game of frisbee netball, demonstrating use of movement, passing, catching, and teamwork.
5. Understand and apply basic game rules in Ultimate Frisbee contexts.

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Equipment

• 10 Ultimate Frisbees (enabling pairs and small groups)
• 20 cones to mark boundaries and relay paths
• 8 coloured hoops (4 per group for target practice)
• Bibs or vests for team identification
• Stopwatch or timer

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up and Introduction (10 minutes)

• Gather students in a semicircle.
• Brief explanation of Ultimate Frisbee: fast-paced team sport that combines skills of throwing, catching, running, and teamwork.
• Highlight the focus of the lesson: throwing and catching skills, target accuracy, and gameplay.
• Dynamic warm-up drills (e.g., jogging, arm circles, quick feet ladder or cone drills) to prepare muscles and joints for throwing and catching movements.

2. Activity 1: Throwing and Catching in Pairs (15 minutes)

Instructions:

• Pair students (10 pairs for 20 students).
• Demonstrate the throwing grip: Thumb flat on top of the disc, four fingers curled inside the rim, pointer finger close to the outer edge but not on top, frisbee held flat.
• Demonstrate catching techniques:
• Crocodile snap: use top hand to catch from above, bottom hand from underneath.
• Sandwich catch: two hands pinching the disc between palms, with flat hands.
• Each pair stands approximately 3-4 metres apart, throwing and catching the frisbee.
• Partners alternate roles and practice throwing with accuracy and controlling the frisbee flight.
• Teacher offers individual feedback to maintain correct technique.
• Encourage verbal communication ("Ready", "Catch", "Throw").

Outcome:

• Students refine grip and develop consistent throws.
• Improve hand-eye coordination and catching confidence.

3. Activity 2: Target Practice Relay (15 minutes)

Grouping: Divide students into 4 groups of 5 or 5 groups of 4 (depending on equipment and space).

Set-Up:

• Each group has 4 hoops arranged in a straight line or staggered formation from closest to farthest.
• Students take turns throwing the frisbee aiming at the closest hoop.
• Once successful, the next throws aim for progressively farther hoops.
• The other group members retrieve frisbees and prepare to throw in relay sequence.

Rules:

• Each group member throws once per turn.
• Points or cheers given for successfully landing the frisbee inside the hoop.
• Emphasise accuracy and smooth transitions for the relay.

Outcome:

• Develop precision throwing under slight pressure.
• Encourage teamwork and timing in relays.

4. Activity 3: Frisbee Netball Game (18 minutes)

Set-Up:

• Split the class into 2 teams of 10 players.
• Define a rectangular play area with cones (half basketball court size or similar).
• Establish simple rules:
• No movement while holding the frisbee (similar to netball).
• Complete passes to team members to advance the disc.
• Aim to score points by catching the frisbee in a designated scoring zone.
• Turnover: if the frisbee is dropped, intercepted, or goes out-of-bounds.
• Encourage players to find space, communicate verbally, and pass accurately.

Play:

• Games run for 2 halves of 7-8 minutes with a short half-time.
• Students rotate positions to try different roles (defence, attack, centre).
• Teacher acts as referee, enforces rules, and gives constructive feedback.

Outcome:

• Apply throwing and catching skills under dynamic, game-like conditions.
• Enhance spatial awareness, teamwork, and strategic thinking.
• Foster fair play, inclusion, and positive communication.

5. Cool Down and Reflection (3 minutes)

• Group cool down: slow walking/stretching arms, shoulders, wrists.
• Brief whole-class reflection:
• Ask students what new skills they practised.
• Discuss challenges and how they overcame them.
• Highlight how working as a team helped during the game.
• Reinforce positive attitudes toward physical activity and inclusion.

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Assessment

• Formative:
• Observation of students’ throwing and catching technique in Activity 1.
• Feedback during the target relay on accuracy and teamwork.
• Communication and rule adherence during frisbee netball.
• Self and Peer Assessment:
• Students reflect on their skill improvement and teamwork in the reflection.
• Teacher Assessment:
• Checklist noting mastery of grip, throwing stance, catching methods, and cooperative behaviours.
• Participation and effort in all activities.

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Safety Considerations

• Ensure suitable playing surface free of hazards.
• Monitor safe distances between students to avoid collisions.
• Provide instructions on safe throwing to avoid high or overly forceful throws.
• Encourage hydration breaks if required.

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Extension Ideas

• Introduce more advanced throws (e.g., flick and hammer throws).
• Incorporate defensive strategies and marking in frisbee netball.
• Explore Ultimate Frisbee’s values of spirit of the game, respect, and sportsmanship in class discussion post-game.

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This detailed plan ensures a balanced mix of skill development, teamwork, and fun, strongly aligned with the NSW Health and Physical Education Curriculum for Year 7 students. It promotes practical learning connections and positive engagement in physical activity.