The game Frisbee is a rapidly increasing competitive sport among the local college sports scene. It is also referred to as the game of the Ultimate. The objective of the sport is to score points by catching the Frisbee while standing at the end zone. How to catch a frisbee might be challenging to beginners, but it is not impossible.
Contents
Types Of Frisbee Catches
Most people overlook the techniques of catching compared to throwing. A frisbee player has to be efficient in both aspects of the game while playing Frisbee. There are two basic strategies that a player needs to remember- the one-handed catch and the two-handed catch. Two-handed catching is more versatile as they have more variations. But you can proceed with whatever you feel more flexible on the field once you mastered the advanced techniques.
Before you start reading further on how to catch the frisbee, here are the two most important strategies for you:
- Stay focused on the disc and the people around you.
- The two-handed catch is easier and more recommended than a one-handed catch.
Two-handed catching
The technique requires the use of both hands to catch the frisbee disc. It is a versatile technique but a little bit challenging to learn. It is best applied for the waist and above the chin throws. You will also find it beneficial mainly for throws just above the head and below the knees about a foot on either side of the body. You will be able to catch the disc before your marker does.
To catch a frisbee using this, you need to hold it with your thumbs on the inner side of the disc. The rest of your fingers will be on the top of the disc. Most uncomplicated catches will use the pancake style. However, harder central passes may use the crocodile style, specifically when the receiver runs faster.
The Pancake Catch
The pancake catch is the safest and easiest catching technique. The style is close to the body with the palms together like clapping hands in a vertical manner. The receiver needs to get their body behind the motion of the disc. In case the catch is ill-timed, the disc will hit the body of the receiver and will be grabbed between the hands.
The Crocodile Catch
The Crocodile Catch is some of the impact being captivated by the forearms where arms stay almost parallel. The forearms give an extended area to slow down the disc. It allows a considerable margin for mistakes as the disc tends to flip out sideways. The disadvantage of this technique appears when the arms are roughly parallel. It happens as the arms do not shift directly up and down towards each other.
The following three key strategies are noteworthy:
- Maintain a distance of about 30 cm from the hands, one above another
- Keep an eye on the frisbee in the hands
- As the frisbee proceeds between the hands, stop it with both hands.
Problems:
- Fumbling: Ensure your hands are secured on top of each other.
- Being Scared of Frisbee: Move forward to hold the frisbee and take your head above the frisbee.
Rim Catch
Catching discs with both hands on the rim are rarely necessary and risky. This technique is only recommended when the frisbee is around the ankles or well above the head. Besides, players can use it when it is impossible or appropriate to slide or dive to catch the disc. The frisbee disc should be caught with both hands, one hand on either side of the disc on the leading edge. The rim catches are dangerous as they tend to draw out of the hands sideways.
Layout catch
A two-handed layout catch is more challenging than a one-handed one. It is difficult to protect the cushion impact that often displaces the disc. This impact is called ground strip. That’s why it is important to layout the disc to get closer enough to catch the disc. The catcher should keep his arms from hitting the ground and use the rest of the body to avoid being ground stripped. There is an advantage also. Once you catch the disc using this method, it is hard to dislodge.
One-handed catch
A one-handed catch is suggested where it is impossible to catch with two hands. One-handed catches are riskier as there are high possibilities of having a stretch or falling on the ground. When the disc is well above the head, around the ankles, or far from either side, try to use this method. It is helpful to receive the disc when overhead from the receivers’ and defenders’ heads. If the frisbee disc is above the elbow, catch it thumb down, otherwise execute it thumbs up. You will understand the difference with your experience.
How to catch a frisbee step by step
Step 1: Don’t be scared of the disk as it’s only a plastic toy, not a meteor hurtling towards you. It comes at a light speed, so closing your eyes will make it difficult to catch.
Step 2: Practice with someone who will throw you the frisbee. You can also get a machine that throws flying disks.
Step 3: Find an open and large area where nothing can be broken. Though it is not a crucial step, it is essential to stay aware of the surroundings.
Step 4: Get the frisbee disc propelled in your general direction.
Step 5: When the disc is in the air, don’t forward and move side to side with the movement of the disc.
Step 6: Catch the disc when it is 1-2.5 feet (0.3-0.7 meters) in front of you. The main theme is to secure your hands around the frisbee at the right time without closing your eyes. For frisbee, take both hands and brace them around the disc using the crocodile method.
For a one-handed catch: If the disc is approaching below your waist, keep your thumb pointing up the disk. Again, keep your thumb down if the disc is coming high. Apply to any position that you feel the most natural in-between heights. Snatch the disc just before it hits your palm, and then compress the fingers and thumbs together.
Step 7: Run straight instead of diagonally if you notice the disc has started to fall early. If it takes up at the last moment, it will be easier to stop while running straight.
Step 8: Jump or run back to catch it If it goes too far.
Also Read: Top 10 professional Frisbee’s reviews
FAQ
- How Do You Win Ultimate Frisbee?
This sport is played by making throws and passes towards fellow teammates so that they can catch. If a player catches the disc standing at the other team’s end zone, that counts as a point scored. An opponent team member can catch the frisbee from the possessing team only if it is in the air. As a non-contact sport, a player cannot grab it out of a player’s hand.
If you want to win a frisbee match, your team must first achieve 15 points.
- Is Ultimate Frisbee Hard to Play?
Frisbee is an easy sport to learn quickly, but mastering it might take some skill and practice. Mistiming can cause a player to sprint, falling, swaying or running without skidding. Reasonable control of hand and eye coordination is necessary. You should also be concerned about multi-sensory processing. So the game is not hard to play, but a player must be physically and mentally fit and alert on the field.
- How Many Steps Can You Take in Ultimate Frisbee?
When a player receives the frisbee, he is not allowed to run holding it. While catching the disc, the receiver can only take a minimum number of required steps to stop moving. The player can pivot on one leg, but an additional step will result in a foul.
Conclusion
You must be afraid of how to catch a frisbee if you are a beginner. We hope that this article will help you to understand the basic knowledge on how to catch a frisbee disc. The more you will practice, the more you will be able to eliminate mistakes.