Ultimate Lesson 1

Ultimate Frisbee PE lesson plan PDF for Grades 6–12 (warm-ups, drills, games, and teaching tips)

Download the ultimate lesson in PDF

Download the lesson in PDF

  • Learning Outcomes
  • Differentiation: EAL/SEN Success Criteria
  • 6 Dynamic Stations & Games
  • Practical Teaching Tips
Free Download

Learning Outcomes

LO1: Understand the concept and the “Spirit of the Game” of Ultimate Frisbee
Key Skills: Staying Well, Working with Others

LO2: Execute two passing techniques—Flick and Backhand—over both short (5 m) and long (15–20 m) distances
Key Skills: Managing Myself, Staying Well

LO3: Apply the three-step rule by advancing correctly after a catch, completing exactly three steps before each pass
Key Skills: Managing Myself, Working with Others

LO4: Collaborate effectively in cooperative and competitive activities, participating in relays and 1 vs 1 games with clear communication and defined roles
Key Skills: Communicating, Working with Others

LO5: Demonstrate sportsmanship and teamwork by respecting turns, supporting teammates, and maintaining fair play at all times
Key Skills: Staying Well, Managing Myself

LO6: Show enjoyment and sustained motivation for the sport through a positive attitude and enthusiasm, valuing physical activity and group interaction
Key Skills: Being Creative, Staying Well

Curriculum 🇮🇪

Junior Cycle Physical Education
Strand: Games
Key Skills: Staying Well; Working with Others; Managing Myself; Communicating; Being Creative; Managing Information and Thinking

Target Group

Junior Cycle students (ages 12–15)

Duration

1 hour

Success Criteria / Quick Assessment

  • Correct technique for Flick and Backhand throws

  • Active, positive participation in drills and games

  • Clear demonstration of Spirit of the Game (self-officiating, mutual respect)

Differentiation Strategies

EAL/SEN Learners: Additional Pivot Steps
Allow up to 4 or 5 pivot steps instead of the standard 3. By relaxing the footwork rule, students can focus on catching and throwing technique first, then tighten it back to 3 steps as their confidence grows.

Tecniques

  • Forehand (Backhand)
  • Flick

These two throws are the foundation for understanding and enjoying Ultimate. For many students, simply passing a Frisbee will be a new challenge.

Ultimate frisbee throwing grips and technique: forehand (flick) and backhand diagram

Warm up

  • Duration: 5 min

Sequence of mobility exercises + stretches. Keep it calm and organized so you can continue discussing the concepts you’ll introduce in the ultimate lesson.

Students doing a dynamic warm-up for an ultimate frisbee PE lesson

A1 - Short passes

  • Duration: 5 min

  • Setup: Students work in pairs, standing about 5 m apart.

  • Aim: Deliver accurate passes and catch cleanly using both flick and backhand techniques.

  • Focus:

    • Ultimate throwing technique

    • Agility in passing and receiving

Ultimate frisbee short passing drill in pairs (5 meters) using flick and backhand throws

A2 - Long passes

  • Duration: 5 min

  • Setup: Same pairs, now 15–20 m apart (at least triple the short-pass distance).

  • Aim: Repeat the flick and backhand throws over greater distance, incorporating the three-step sequence before every throw.

  • Focus:

    • Throwing technique under increased range

    • Footwork (three-step rule)

    • Passing precision

Ultimate frisbee long passing drill (15–20 meters) with the three-step rule

A3 - Accuarcy game

  • Duration: 10 min

  • Setup: Position each pair 10–15 m from a small “goal” (the smaller, the better).

  • Aim: Compete 1 vs 1 to score by throwing the disc into the goal, using both flick and backhand.

  • Scoring:

    • Goal (inside target) = 1 point

    • Post (hitting the rim or outside) = 3 points

Ultimate frisbee accuracy game: 1v1 target throws with flick and backhand

A4 - Relay races

  • Duration: 10 min

  • Setup: Two parallel lanes (the width of a 5-a-side pitch or half an 11-a-side pitch), one pair per lane.

  • Aim: Each pair races to the end of their lane, completing Flick and Backhand passes and observing the three-step rule without leaving their lane.

  • Focus: Cooperation, ultimate techniques under pressure

Ultimate frisbee relay race drill: partners pass down lanes to reach the end

A5 - Competitive rails

  • Duration: 10 min
  • Setup: Same two lanes; now each lane hosts one attacker and one defender (one member of each pair per lane).


  • Aim: Attackers attempt to reach the end of the lane by passing the disc between lanes; defenders try to intercept. Three-step rule applies.
  • Focus: Competition, offensive decision-making, defensive anticipation
Ultimate frisbee 2v2 lane game: attackers advance while defenders try to intercept

Small-sided Game 3 vs 3

  • Duration: 10 min
  • Setup: Reduced-size field; two teams of three players each.

  • Aim: Apply Flick and Backhand throws, the three-step rule, and Spirit of the Game in a fast-paced 3 vs 3 match.

  • Focus: Applying ultimate’s technique in realistic play, teamwork, self-officiating
Small-sided ultimate frisbee game (3v3) for PE class to apply throws and Spirit of the Game
Ultimate Frisbee PE lesson plan PDF for Grades 6–12 (warm-ups, drills, games, and teaching tips)

Download the ultimate lesson in PDF

  • Learning Outcomes
  • Differentiation: EAL/SEN Success Criteria
  • 6 Dynamic Stations & Games
  • Practical Teaching Tips
Free download

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