|
Your Name:
Instructions:
Frisbees have always been a marvel. They are inexpensive and easy
to get.
They can be played virtually anywhere there is an open space, a any
size
group of people can play and the age level of Frisbee play spans
all ages.
The history of the Frisbee is unique. I have always found Frisbees
fascinating and a challenge so as I began to train children, I
wanted to
learn how to properly manipulate one so I could add it to my
curriculum.
Frisbees were originally created by the Frisbie Baking Company.
Hungry
college students bought the pies and then used them as flying disks
for
inexpensive entertainment. In 1964, Whamo bought the patent for
the Frisbee
and currently, Mattel Toy Company owns the official patent for the
Frisbee.
Using a Frisbee requires practice and skill; with me, it took a lot
of
practice There are three basic kinds of throws.
The Grip
• The grip is when you place your thumb on top of the freebee
and
index finger along the rim. Other fingers are underneath. Think of
fanning
yourself with the Frisbee.
Backhand Throw
• The backhand throw has the thumb on top , the index finger
along the
rim and other fingers underneath. Then, throw the Frisbee with the
dominate
hand, standing in a sideways position with the right foot toward
the
target. Step toward the target and throw the Frisbee with the
designated
hand in a horizontal motion across the body, snapping the wrist and
keeping
the disk flat on release.
Underhand Throw
• The underhand throw is also sometimes used. It is similar
to the
overhead throw but the student faces the target and holds the disk
at the
side of the body. She steps forward with the opposite leg the
throwing hand
as she brings the Frisbee forward. When the throwing arms is out
in front
of the body, release the Frisbee. The trick is to learn to release
the disk
so that it is parallel to the ground.
Catching
• Catching the Frisbee is another form of great practice and
patience. There are three basic kinds of catches.
High Catch
• The high catch is when you watch the Frisbee as it leaves
the
thrower’s hand. If the Frisbee is coming toward you at a height
level catch
it with the hands, and point thumbs down and fingers up. Reach for
the
Frisbee and then close thumbs and fingers over it.
Low Catch
• Low catch is when the Frisbee is coming toward you at a
height below
the waist and you point thumbs up and fingers down. Watch the
Frisbee,
reach for it and close hands under it.
Thumbs Down
• Thumbs down catching is used for catching when the disk is
received
at the torso or in the upper body. Catchers should watch the
Frisbee thrown
from the throwers hand.
Thumbs Up
• Thumbs-up catches are used when the Frisbee is thrown from
below the
upper body. The thumbs are pointed up and the fingers are spread.
When a student gets more advanced, trick catches may be added.
First
emphasize building a foundation of basic skills. You can do behind
the back
and between the legs catches. The behind the back and between the
legs
catch utilizes the thumbs-up technique. Try to see how many times
you can
catch the Frisbee and throw it to your partner. After you drop the
Frisbee,
start the process again. Throw a Frisbee from different distances
and try
to hit targetsor throw into hoops.
It’s important to remember when using the Frisbee that when the
side is
thrown, it should be parallel to the ground at release. If it is
inverted,
you will get a circular throw and it won’t go the direction you
want.
Stepping before releasing is effective for directing the Frisbee.
If you
are in a limited area such as a classroom or a similar closed area
make sure
all of the Frisbees are going in the same direction. This will
avoid the
Frisbees bumping into other disks and hitting students. Students
should
practice with different partners and instructors should frequently
change
partners so that students can have a chance to play with more and
less
skilled players. Practicing throwing with both arms develops
strength and
agility. Remember to emphasize correct technique. Do not reward
students
who throw quickly but those who have perfect technique.
There are many activities to do with the Frisbee.
1. Try throwing at different levels with a partner. Try
light, medium,
and hard throws as well keeping track of safety, etc.
2. You can bounce the Frisbee by throwing a low fast bounce.
You can
further the challenge by throwing a high, slow bounce.
3. Catchers can show off their fancy skills by clapping, heel
clicking
and touching the ground before they catch the Frisbee. Emphasis
should be
still keeping a constant eye on the Frisbee. Students may play
Frisbee by
themselves by throwing it into the air and catching it.
4. Hula-hoops can add to the fun of Frisbees. See how may
times you
can throw a Frisbee into a hoop. You can play “One-Step” in which
the
catcher moves one foot backward the Frisbee is thrown and
successfully is
caught in the hoop. You can further the fun by making your own
version of
Skee Ball Frisbee by having students throw the Frisbees into
different hoops
and adding different point values to the hoops. This also teaches
adding,
subtracting and multiplying skills.
5. Move with the Frisbee and catch while running. Be sure all
runners
are running in the same direction if you are playing in a limited
space.
6. Hoops are not the only things you can add to Frisbee play.
Try
stuffed animals, baskets and objects that when they are tossed to
the ground
will not break. Frisbee golf often utilizes poles, trees, and
other
permanent objects.
7. For fun try to practice for speed but emphasize accuracy.
Set time
limits for plays and drills.
8. Mix up the fun by playing in-group emphasizing that all
persons need
a chance to throw and catch. Have students rotate positions when
throwing
and catching the Frisbee. Teach cooperative skills to those who
are less
patient with less skilled performers.
Here are some games you can do with Frisbees.
Ultimate Frisbee
Step 1: Begin with each group standing behind its goal line. One
team
throws the disc into the other's end zone. The receiving team must
try to
move the disc up field using a series of passes.
Step 2: Each time a player catches the disc, she must stop in her
tracks and
throw it to a teammate before taking another step.
Step 3: To score a point, the receiving team must complete a pass
to a
player positioned behind the opponents' goal line. The defending
team is
awarded the disc following a score, an incomplete pass, or an
interception.
The first team to score 21 points wins the game.
Frisbee Golf
Step 1: Before play begins, the group should plot out a course of
six or
eight holes by having players agree on a series of objects or sites
on the
playground at which the Frisbee disc will be aimed.
Step 2: Once the course is decided, players take turns attempting
to hit the
targets with the Frisbee.
Step 3: Players must keep track of how many throws they take to get
the
target; the player who completes the course in the fewest number of
throws
wins the game.
Squeeze
Players of this contest have an unusual goal--to see how far a
Frisbee can
roll.
Materials: Two sticks or wooden dowels, string, Frisbee
How to play:
Step 1: Set the two sticks or dowels into the groundabout one foot
apart.
(Or, set the sticks in pails filled with sand). Use string to mark
a line
on the ground about 10 feet from the upright sticks.
Step 2: Standing behind the line, players try to roll a Frisbee
between and
beyond the sticks. Each child gets five chances to ply his skill,
and the
one who rolls the disk through the goal the most times wins.
Spear the Disk
Materials: Stick and Frisbee for every player
Step 1: For this game, you will need two players and a third person
to
assist. At the start, the players stand about 20 feet apart and
face each
other. Each holds a stick or a short wooden dowel. (I suggest
elaborating
a bit- do they try to hit the rolling Frisbee with the sticks?)
Frisbees are a great way to foster creativity and learn to work
with various
types of people. What wonderful lessons to learn for life!
References and Recommended Resources
Family Fun Frisbee Games
http://www.familyfun.go.com/parties/holiday/specialfeature/spring_ac
tivities_
ms/
How to Throw Frisbees Video
http://www.motodom.com/
Smooth Artists
http://www.smoothartist.com/frisbee/
|
|
