Soft Disc Lead Pass Trios
In groups of three, with a thrower, a cutter, and a defender: the cutter fakes and cuts into open space, and the thrower leads the cutter by putting the soft disc out in front, not where they used to be. This is the foundation of offense in ultimate.
How to play
- Form groups of three with one disc. Each group marks an 8 x 8 m (about 26 x 26 ft) square with 4 flat disc cones and places a fifth cone 5 m off one side as the thrower's spot (2 min).
- No defender, 3 minutes: the cutter starts in the middle, fakes two steps one way, changes direction, and cuts. The thrower makes a backhand throw into the space in front of the cutter at chest height.
- Passive defender, 3 minutes: the defender follows the cutter from 1 m away but doesn't try to touch the disc. The cutter tries to beat the defender with a change of pace.
- Live defender, 4 minutes: the defender may block or intercept the disc without contact. A catch inside the square is 1 point for offense; a drop or block is 1 point for the defender.
- Rotate roles every 5 tries: thrower, cutter, and defender.
- Finish, 3 minutes: the thrower has a 5-second stall count called by the defender before they leave to cover the cutter.
Rules
- The cutter may not leave the square to make the catch.
- The thrower stays on the cone and may only pivot.
- Safety: groups line up side by side with 3 m between them so discs don't cross into another square.
Variations
Easier
Use a larger 10 x 10 m square and play only without a defender or with a passive one.
Standard
Progress from no defender to a live defender in an 8 x 8 m square.
Harder
Use a 6 x 6 m square, and the cutter may only catch one-handed.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair can be the set thrower while the cutter cuts toward them, or be the cutter against a passive defender.
- Hearing impairment: the cutter calls for the disc by raising a hand instead of shouting.
- Skill level: a student who struggles throws to a cutter standing still on a cone until they gain confidence.
Learning goals
- Get open with a fake and a change of direction.
- Lead a moving cutter by throwing into space ahead of them.
- Defend legally and without contact in ultimate.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft flying discs: 9
- flat disc cones: 45
Teacher tip
The most common mistake is throwing to where the cutter is instead of where they're going. Have the thrower watch the cutter's lead shoulder and throw one step ahead.
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