High School Guts: Lines at 14 m and One-Hand Catches

A high school adaptation of guts, a classic disc game in which two teams of five face each other in lines and throw hard so the other team cannot make the catch. It is played with a soft disc, at a longer distance than the official one, and with rules that put safety first.

How to play

1. Explain scoring: the disc must pass within the receiving team's reach; if it drops, or is caught two-handed after hitting the body, the throwers score (4 min).
2. Pinch-catch and one-hand catch practice in pairs at 8 m (4 min).
3. Set up three courts: two lines of five players facing each other 14 m apart, at least 16 feet from the next court on either side (2 min).
4. Guts games to 11 points; teams throw in turns and the thrower rotates every point (12 min).
5. Final comments on which catching technique worked best (3 min).

Rules

• Only soft discs are used, thrown between knee and shoulder height: a throw over the receiver's head does not score.
• Minimum distance between lines is 14 m; nobody steps forward to throw.
• Receivers may move out of the way of a very hard throw; protecting yourself is never penalized.
• Anyone wearing glasses that could break wears sports goggles or plays a side spot.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: takes the center spot in the line, where more discs arrive at chest height, and may catch with both hands.
• Visual impairment: does not play as a receiver; is the team's thrower and scorekeeper.
• Anxiety about being hit: starts at the end of the line, where fewer discs come, and moves in when ready.

Learning goals

• Improve reaction speed and one-hand catching technique.
• Adjust throwing power to fit safety rules.
• Cooperate in a defensive line by covering teammates' space.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft discs: 4
• cones: 16
• pinnies: 10

Teacher tip

Never play with hard discs. If the yard is narrow, set up only two courts and rotate teams instead of moving the lines closer.

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