By Matthew Reider, Staff Writer
Ultimate Frisbee is a year-round sport in our area, with many leagues and events organized by Fairfax Ultimate, established in 2014. There are teams for ages U9 through adults.
Rules are sanctioned by USA Ultimate, which was originally founded as the Ultimate Players Association in 1979. Ultimate is played on a field with two end zones, similar to that of American football. Like football, the goal is to get the disc into the end zone by passing it across the field towards the end zone. The game is characterized by precision passing, leaping aerial catches, and positional defense.
One notable strategy in the game is the "huck," a long-distance throw typically more than 30 yards. A huck is often used in a play called "Huck and Play D," where the offense intentionally throws a long pass and then transitions quickly to defense, aiming to force a turnover.
A defining feature of Ultimate since its founding in 1966 is an emphasis on sportsmanship and the "spirit of the game." Unlike most sports, there are no referees on the field. Instead, players are responsible for officiating their own games, requiring a deep understanding of the rules and calm discussions between teams to resolve any disputes. This unique aspect was on full display one overcast Sunday at Baron Cameron Park when a disagreement arose over whether a player had caught the disc inbounds or out-of-bounds. With no clear consensus, the teams agreed to reset the play to the previous spot, reflecting the spirit of fairness that characterizes the game.
Eric Miner has been coaching the South Lakes Seahucks for three years. With a decade of experience in Fairfax’s adult leagues and seven years as a pro, Miner has embraced the sport’s core values. “Whenever someone scores or does something awesome, the entire team celebrates together—even cheering for great plays by the other team,” he said. “There's very little individual showboating, and that team-centric mentality draws a lot of crossover athletes from other sports.”
The Seahucks represent South Lakes High School in the Fairfax Ultimate High School Club Season. Their all-girls team, the "Shehucks," has been highly competitive in past years. During the fall, co-ed teams compete, with a state championship to be held in November. In the spring, the boys and girls teams compete separately. Summer is the peak season, when select players form regional teams to compete in various tournaments.
Unfortunately, the Shehucks won’t be competing in the girls' state championship this fall due to a wave of graduations that left the team without enough players. Like many other club sports, Ultimate teams are not officially supported by their schools, so participation often depends on student-led efforts to form interest clubs and generate enthusiasm.
One such player is Jackson Snell, who joined Ultimate last year. Determined to expand interest in the sport at South Lakes, he founded an Ultimate Frisbee interest club just hours before the school's block party, securing a sponsor and completing the necessary paperwork. At the event, he and his teammates set up a table to introduce students to the sport, handing out mini frisbees with the club logo. Reflecting on his favorite part of Ultimate, Snell said, “It’s the community and the fun. Ultimate players across all teams are like a big community. Even if we don’t win, we still have a great time.” He added, “In other sports, if you make a mistake, you might get punished with extra laps. In Ultimate, we’re just enjoying the game together.”
This fall, South Lakes competes alongside teams like the Lake Braddock Bruins, the Fairfax Fog, and Vienna Madhouse. There are nine high school club teams in the area, representing either individual schools or collections of schools. The fall state tournament, featuring about 15 teams, will take place at Oakmont Rec Center (2-6 p.m. Nov. 16) and Arrowhead Park ( 5-10 p.m. Nov. 17). Fairfax Ultimate always welcomes new players to help grow the sport. For more information, visit fairfaxultimate.org.
Comments