This Week in Weird Sports: Ultimate Frisbee

Second only to lacrosse in the “nonthreatening sports white parents let their kids play” category.

Second only to lacrosse in the “nonthreatening sports white parents let their kids play” category.

“Athletes” in this “sport” prefer it be called simply “ultimate,” because that sounds badass, while “Frisbee” sounds like an Ewok exclamation of passion. And Frisbee is a trademarked name…or something.


Just like football, rugby, or a handful of other sports not played by kids baked out of their minds, two teams (typically of seven) compete to get in an end zone. Players are allowed to throw the “disc” all over the 70-yard field, but can’t move more than a few steps after receiving it. Ultimate is a non-contact sport, meaning the hard-hitting tackles and scrums of football and rugby—often referred to as the “reasons for watching”—are absent.


So, some simple math: football – tackling + hand-woven hemp dresses = ultimate.


OK, fine. Yes there’s a league and sometimes it’s actually broadcast on TV. And, yes, we’re well aware we used seven sarcastic air quotes in one story. You’re “welcome”.