2012 USA Ultimate Championships

If you've been living under a rock, or if you're hiding in your basement to work on your electronic music career (#deadmau5), then you may have missed the 2012 USA Ultimate College Championships.  

   

If you weren't in Colorado, then at least you can check the highlights.  For your viewing pleasure:

Day 1

Day 2 

Day 3 

     Embedded in these videos are some incredible plays from the best men and women in the sport.   Congratulations to Pitt's men's team for defeating the Hodags 15-0 in the final.   If you want a detailed recap, check the USA Ultimate website.

Callahan

     It's time for a history lesson.  The year is 1978.  The place: Oregon University.  The man: Henry Callahan.
     Henry Callahan brought the sport to the University of Oregon and established a team there.  He was later murdered during a bank robbery in Boulder, Colorado in 1982.  But not before he left his mark on the world of ultimate frisbee.
     Today, his name is almost sacred.  He even has a move named after him.  A Callahan is both rare and incredible.  A Callahan occurs when a defensive player intercepts the disc in his or her opponent's end zone.  As soon as they land, they've scored.  It is rare, but it can be done.  And it's absolutely humiliating if your team just threw the disc to the other team in your end zone.
     Had in not been for the master, we would have to come up with a much less powerful name for the Callahan.  Be grateful, frisbee players.  Be grateful.

Beware the Meme!

      They're everywhere.  Expressive pictures captioned with poor use of the English language and even worse punctuation.  Meant to be comical, most fall drastically short of their life's ambition.  They are plaguing the web, and many fear a complete takeover as some of the language has begun working its way into day-to-day conversation.
    I'm talking about memes.
     However, there are exceptions to the miserable memes.  Some are actually funny.  Like the ones seen here.
     What makes these memes different?  Ultimate frisbee, that's what.  These are inside jokes that Joe the Plumber wouldn't understand, but if you're up on your frisbee lingo then these can definitely amuse the soul.
     Laugh on, my beloved disc-heads.   Laugh on.

Preparing for Takeoff

     Have you ever wondered why frisbee isn't broadcast on ESPN?  Why don't frisbee players get the SportsCenter attention that Manning, Kobe, and Pujols receive?  Answer:  There isn't one.

     However, there is good news.  For those disc heads out there who have been waiting and waiting for ultimate frisbee to make the big screen, it's coming.  Well, at least to your computer.  NexGen Network just met a funding goal that will allow them to broadcast some major games (complete with milti-angle camera shots, expert commentary, and instant replay).  They will stream the Stanford Invite and the College Centex on their website.  Wanna see what they're up to?  Check 'em out at NexGen Network's website.

     This is a huge step in the ultimate world worthy of some celebration.  Look out world.  We'll be on the map one day.  One day soon.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Want to learn the ins and outs of the game quick?  Watch the best.


These guys are phenomenal frisbee players.  The game, between Ironside and Doublewide, was played back in October during the 2011 CLub Championships.  Now, the commentators may not be from ESPN, but they make some great points about the sport as a whole and are very knowledgable about what goes on in the upper tier of ultimate.


               




                                       





                                        Click here to watch the game!

Ultimate Frisbee: A Gentleman's Game

      The game is intense.  The game is fierce.  The game has no refs.

     Ultimate frisbee is one of the few competitive team sports that does not have an umpire, a referee, or an official.  That's because frisbee doesn't need 'em.

     Frisbee is a gentleman's sport.  It was built on the idea that teams can play competitively and with intensity, but still be civil without mommy, daddy, or the guy who looks like a zebra to separate them when things get heated.  As much as you want to win, you must respect your opponents as people.

     There are plenty of fouls that can be called, but they are called by the players.  Usually the person most involved with the play in question calls the shots.  This can be tricky on skin-of-your teeth plays where no one is going to see the instant replay cameras, but more often than not honesty wins out.  Other player on the field or on the sidelines with a good view are often expected to share their best, most honest ruling.

      Part of being a good player is knowing not only when to call a foul, but when to keep your cool.  Using discretion in the midst of a heated battle can be difficult, but it must be learned.  Yes, games can get out of hand.  But the best solution is let your game do the talking.  Talking or playing dirty is never a desirable solution.  You and your team must keep each other in check should someone start getting his or her panties wadded.  



     Frisbee is a gentleman's game, and purists and disc heads and new players all agree that is is the only way it should be.  Long live sportsmanship.  Long live frisbee.  

The Layout

     One of the greatest beauties in ultimate frisbee is the layout.

     These are the plays that deserve to be on Sports Center's Top 10.  Few have made it.  But one day, good friends, one day.  

     The layout is the single best display of man's dedication to this great sport.  Two types of layouts exist: the defensive and of offensive layout.  The defensive layout? Running full speed ahead, jumping out entirely vertically, just tipping the disc away from the hands of an offensive player.  It's glorious.  The offensive layout? Same concept, the just finding enough of the plastic between the ends of ones fingertips before the disc makes any contact with the ground.

   Both require dedication and self sacrifice.  Both can leave beautiful battle scars.  Both deserve praise and respect from ones teammates.  The best way to do it?  Practice.  Don't be afraid of the ground, just get the disc at all costs.  It may not tickle, but the incredible feeling of actually making that catch far outweighs any main that could come from hitting the ground.  It's guts.  It's glory.  It's a layout.