Frisbee Carousel: Throw and Take the Open Cone

Groups of six set up a pentagon of cones and pass the frisbee around it: the thrower runs to the cone they threw to. It warms up the shoulders, trunk and legs while reviewing the backhand throw and the two-handed catch.

How to play

1. Shoulder and wrist mobility with the disc: arm circles, trunk twists holding the frisbee and easy 15-foot throws in pairs (2 min).
2. Each group of six sets up a pentagon with cones 25 ft apart and two students at the start cone; throw backhand to the next cone and follow the disc to take that cone (3 min).
3. Switch direction and throw type: forehand for those who can, backhand for the rest (2 min).
4. Add a second frisbee starting from the opposite cone; the group must keep two discs from arriving at the same cone (2 min).
5. Each group discusses which pass failed most and why (1 min).

Rules

• Throw only when the receiver is looking and has hands up.
• Throw discs at chest height, never at the head.
• Run outside the pentagon so you never cross a disc in flight.
• Pentagons are at least 30 ft apart.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: holds a fixed cone as the central thrower and the carousel always passes through their spot.
• Visual impairment: use a bright disc, the thrower calls out before throwing and the distance drops to 15 ft.
• Autism: explain the route with a drawing on the ground and let the student start at the start cone to watch others first.

Learning goals

• Prepare the shoulders and trunk for repeated throwing.
• Improve backhand accuracy at medium distance.
• Move into open space after passing, a basic idea in ultimate.

Equipment for a class of 25

• frisbees: 6
• cones: 30

Teacher tip

It works as a sport-specific warm-up for an ultimate unit. If it is windy, set up the pentagons so throws travel across the wind.

More activities like this

More warm-ups for High School