Appendix A
Ultimate
Drills
Ultimate Drills
Carey Goldenberg
By CareyByGoldenberg
Straight
on Throwing
Drill
Straight
on Throwing
Drill
Split the team into squads of five or so, standing in 2 lines facing each other about 30 to 40 feet apart (when
more
the in
drill
starts,facing
Playereach
B from
front30oftoone
the thrower
(Player 40-50 yards).
Split the team
intoskilled,
squads40-50
of fiveyards).
or so, Once
standing
2 lines
otherthe
about
40 line
feet runs
apartat(when
more skilled,
Once the drill
from
the line
front(see
of one
line runs
the thrower
(Playerdirectly
A) in the
front
of therunning
other line
(see Fig 1-1). This
A)starts,
in the Player
front ofBthe
other
Fig 1-1).
Thisatthrower
must throw
at the
person
at them.
thrower mustAfter
throw
directly player
at the person
at them.
After
throwing,
playerspace
A clears
out next
to the
back Once
of thethe
fardisc
line to make space
throwing,
A clearsrunning
out to the
back of
the far
line to make
for the
cutter.
for the next is
cutter.
the disc
is caught
B,of
thetheplayer
the(player
front of
othera line
(player toward
C) makes
cut straight toward
caughtOnce
by player
B, the
playerby
at player
the front
otheratline
C)the
makes
cut straight
theaplayer
the player who
wait until
until the
the disc
disc isis caught
caught though,
though,or
orthe
thedrill
drilldoesn’t
doesn’t work as well.
whojust
justcaught
caughtthe
thedisc
disc(see
(seeFig
Fig 1-2).
1-2). Player
Player C
C must
must wait
These timedwork
cuts will
helpThese
once athletes
start
playing
the game
andstart
realize
that the
theygame
aren’tand
getting
thrown
to. Over
players should
as well.
timed cuts
will
help once
athletes
playing
realize
that they
aren’ttime,
getting
learn to timethrown
their cuts
to
get
open
better.
to. Over time, players should learn to time their cuts to get open better.
Fig 1-1
Fig 1-2
Fig 1-3
C
C
B
CUT
A
CLEAR
C
CLEAR
THROW
C
THROW
THROW
B
B
CLEAR
D
CUT
CUT
B
D
A
D
D
A
USA Ultimate Resource Guide
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Three Person Throwing and Marking Weave
Have players get into groups of three and set up a simple weave. Thrower plays defense as soon as they
release the disc. Player B throws to player C with player A covering the throw (Fig 2-1). Then player C throws
to A with B playing defense (Fig 2-2). Finally, player A throws to B with C playing defense (Fig 2-3). If they
have learned about the stall count, have the count be five (5). This drill will build up their faking skills, their
pivoting, marking, and their ability to make good decisions quickly.
Fig 2-1
Fig 2-2
THROWER
B
MARKER
A
Fig 2-3
A
A
C
10-15 yards
B
RECEIVER
84
C
Ultimate Drills
C
B
Four Corners Drill
This drill takes
time to learn but is great for cutting, anticipating cuts, setting up fakes that lead to good
Four Corners
Drill
throws, and throwing a lead pass to space. This drill should be used in both directions (clockwise & counter-
clockwise),
as tobut
practice
both
and backhands.
in a that
square
about
25 yards
This drill takes
time tosolearn
is great
forforehands
cutting, anticipating
cuts,Cones
settingare
upset
fakes
leadpattern,
to good
throws,
and throwing a lead
apart.This
Players
up several
yards
behind
each cone.
Again, as&incounter-clockwise),
the “Straight-on Throwing”
the cutter
pass to space.
drillline
should
be used
in both
directions
(clockwise
so as todrill,
practice
both forehands and
for are
the set
thrower
to actually
catch
the disc
before
they start
theirline
cuts
run toyards
the next
cone.
Ascone.
playersAgain, as in the
backhands.waits
Cones
in a square
pattern,
about
25 yards
apart.
Players
upand
several
behind
each
improve
over the
course
of thewaits
season,
should start
setting catch
up their
discstart
is caught.
Imagine
“Straight-on
Throwing”
drill,
the cutter
for they
the thrower
to actually
thecuts
discbefore
beforethe
they
their cuts
and run to the next
a square,
with another
square
inside,
with
its corners
the midpoints.
Theupplayer
at the cone
(firstissquare)
cone. As players
improve
over the
course
of the
season,
they at
should
start setting
their starts
cuts before
the disc
caught. Imagine a
andanother
runs toward
next cone,
butcorners
catchesatthethe
disc
at the midpoint.
Afterstarts
catching
disc,(first
theysquare)
stop, pivot
square, with
squarethe
inside,
with its
midpoints.
The player
at thethecone
and and
runs toward the
to thethe
nextdisc
player.
next cone, throw
but catches
at the midpoint. After catching the disc, they stop, pivot and throw to the next player.
Fig 3-1 demonstrates the forehand version of the Four Corners Drill. Player A cuts toward Player B while
Fig 3-1 demonstrates
the forehand
version
of thePlayer
Four Corners
Player
A cuts
toward
Player
B while
receiving
receiving a throw
from Player
D. Once
A catchesDrill.
the disc,
Player
B cuts
towards
Player
C, receiving
thea throw from
Player D. disc
Once
Player
A
catches
the
disc,
Player
B
cuts
towards
Player
C,
receiving
the
disc
from
Player
A.
Immediately
after
from Player A. Immediately after throwing to the next receiver, players must clear out to the back of the
throwing tonext
the line.
next receiver, players must clear out to the back of the next line.
Fig 3-1
CLEAR
C
CUT
A
A
B
THROW
D
B
D
C
C
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