Basic Ultimate Terminology

Here is a list of basic ultimate terminology that I collected from various websites. Some of the words are used more often than others, but all of these words are pretty general/universal terms. There are a lot of other words that will likely be used in the future which are more offense/defense specific or specific to our team. I bolded some that a lot of people might not know but that we use pretty frequently.

Backhand - This throw has the players fingers curled under the disc with the thumb on top. The arm is extended and brought across the left side of the body.

Bid - a failed attempt (generally a layout) to catch or block the disc.

Bomb - When one team breaks up an advancing teams offense and throws the disc to nobody on the opposite side of the field. This tactic is used to reset the teams offense and clear out of your own endzone.

Brick - A pull that is untouched by the receiving team and lands out of bounds.

Blade - A forehand throw that is thrown high in the air and falls hard and fast to the left side.

Callahan point - When an opposing team has their pass intercepted in their own endzone. This results in a point for the intercepting team.

Chilly - Used to remind a player to stay calm and patient with the disc, in hopes that they do not rush a throw.

D - Defense or Defend

Cut - integral part of a route by a receiver

Cutter – generally there are four cutters, they make cuts to receive the disc and make continuation throws or dump back to a handler

Disc in - signals the teams that the disc is coming into play

Dump - A throw to a person who is usually used as a safety valve. Normally someone that is standing close or even behind the thrower for an easy outlet… generally a handler.

Foot Block - When the foot is used to block a pass immediately after it releases the players hand

Force - A tactic used by the defending team to force the thrower into a specific type of throw, or force them to throw to a specific area of the field.

Forehand force – Mark stands on the left side of the offensive players body to force forehand throws

Backhand force – Mark stands on the right side of the offensive players body to force backhand throws

Forehand / Flick - Thrower leads with middle finger, arm never crosses the body and at the extension of the arm, the player flicks the wrist to throw the disc.

Hammer - A forehand grip that is thrown over the head. This throw results in the disc flying upside down before tailing off at the end of its flight.

Hand block -

When the hand is used to block a pass immediately after it releases the players hand

Handler– one of the teams’ primary throwers, used to reset the disc and throw downfield to cutters, generally there are three handlers

Huck - A long throw that attempts to reach a downfield receiver

Layout - A diving catch or diving to defend the disc

Straight-up Mark - Similar to a force, but the defender is attempting to block all possible throws by moving arms and legs to get in the way of the throw. Contact is not allowed.

O - Offense

Pick - an intentional or unintentional block (like basketball) where a player gets between you and the plyer you are covering

Pull - A long throw that starts play and initiates the opposing teams possession. This is used in a similar way to the kickoff in football

Sky - When a player grabs or defends the disc at a much higher point than the other players on the field

Stack - offensive strategy that lines up offensive players

Vertical Stack – cutters line up one behind another down the field

Horizontal Stack – cutters line up one next to another across the field

Swing - Throwing the disc across field usually to reset the stall count or open up a different side of the field, this throw is not necessarily intended to move the disc closer to the goal line

Stall count - the defensive player counts up to ten, if the disc is not released before the count reaches ten, it results in a turnover

Swill - A bad throw, usually one that does not have a lot of spin, and not likely to be caught without great effort from the receiver

Turn - Short for turnover, and alerts players that the disc will be going the other way

Up - Shouted once the disc has been released to alert the other defenders