Ultimate: Sincere but not serious

Ultimate is fun. This sport was specifically designed to be this way. To be played with smiles on our faces. When you are doing something you like, there is no reason to keep the smile off your face! Unlike what many people believe, one does not have to play this sport with hate or be angry, to get motivated or to win.

I think we can all agree that it is an immensely enjoyable team sport, regardless of the level of play. You and I, we owe much of the joy we take away from the sport to our teammates (and opponents). Whether we met them 15 minutes ago or if we’ve played by each other’s side for years, we have the power to affect their experience of the game.

Let me give you examples to elucidate this.

Example 1

Let’s say Mr. X treats this sport solely as a stress buster. He makes it to pick up games once a month or whenever he can. X doesn’t like playing defence. At pick-up, he just jogs along, pretending to play defence, letting the guy he is marking take whatever he wants (the cutter is perpetually open on the force side, both coming under and going out).

What’s worse? He keeps attempting fancy throws that never complete. Unfortunately, his teammates expend their energies, fruitlessly running up and down the length of the field, trying to prevent the opposition from scoring. None of them are going to be able to smile after a few points. They might as well play a man short on defence.

Play defence. This sport is not half as much fun without defence. It is disrespect to the other six players on your team. It does not matter if you are matched up against someone who is faster, better than you. There is absolutely no excuse to not try. You also take away the fun for the guy you are pretending to play defence against.

There is a higher cost associated with a loss of possession in Ultimate as compared to other sports like football. While you are busy amusing yourself attempting 10 fancy throws, in a row, that never complete, have you ever turned to your mates and asked them if they are having fun as well?

Example 2

Mr. Y likes to win. He is an above average player, who will often pick fights with his teammates and blame them for their mistakes. No one is spared at pick-up. Beginners are obviously intimidated but in his mind he is ‘just’ pushing them to to perform. They make more mistakes instead, inviting his wrath. No one can claim to have played a fun game.

This is also an instance of win-at-all-cost behaviour. Chill out and have fun playing the sport. Be inclusive at pick-up and take the time out to teach new players the nuances of the sport. Make them feel welcome and respect their limitations as inexperienced players. Be patient with them and remember the purpose of pick-up games (in most parts of the world) is for everyone to socialise and share the sheer joy of playing.

Whether you are a new player or an experienced one, play sincerely to the best of your abilities. I am not saying that everyone should layout or be able to sky opponents. Let us be limited only by our own abilities.

There is an unparalleled joy that I find in playing hard and being sincere on the field. When the others on the field do the same, it takes the game to another level of intensity and makes it so much more fun irrespective of the level of players. If I wrote a recipe for a great game of Ultimate, evenly matched players giving it their absolute best and laying it all on the line, while being fair-minded, would be some of the core ingredients.

I have immense respect for my fellow players (teammates and opponents alike) who are sincere in giving everything they have, every single time they step onto the field. While you definitely don’t have to be that guy who approaches the game in a logical, consistent fashion and go to bed worrying about improving throws, cuts or honing team strategy, you can be sincere even when you play pick-up on weekends!

You and I NEED to play this way because everyone deserves to experience this beautiful game, the way it was meant to be played.

Even at amateur levels, players knowingly invest a lot in Ultimate – They often put more than ‘just’ their time, money, sweat and blood into it. They pour their hearts and souls into the game, sometimes, making compromises (sacrifices) to even turn up for practice sessions. The opportunity to be on the field often costs them sleep, vacation time, job opportunities, and sometimes relationships. This is the reason every play they make seems to have ten times as much invested emotion than that of most other players. What do you think they ask of you in return?

There is no room for insincerity in Ultimate.