Innumerable reasons for everyone to try play Ultimate at least once in their lives

National and international tournaments host a mixed division to encourage not only equivalent participation between the sexes, but actual co-ed play, even at the highest levels. The co-mingling of sexes, on a level playing field, is a huge part of the sport’s appeal.

Co-ed team (Mixed division) ‘Cabs Are Here’ warming up at the Australian Mixed Ultimate Championships 2012Photo: Narayanan Krishnan (Mama)

As one player puts it, “The level of athleticism in elite women Ultimate players relative to the general population, or even other sports, is higher than it is with men.”

Proof: Check out this athletic play in a recent women’s division game.

Ultimate instills values

Ultimate is a microcosm of life and the values learnt in this environment will carry the athlete through the sport and out the other side into life. The values include self belief, how to abide by rules, how to persevere and develop a will to win, how to get up after being knocked down and how to set shared goals with their teammates.

Many schools, colleges and social groups use this fun sport to promote good sportsmanship and help participants develop conflict resolution skills. The on-field behavior slowly becomes a way of life and permeates into the players’ decision making in all aspects of their lives - Ultimate was designed to promote not only athleticism, but also character.

Stall 7 (India’s first all student Ultimate team) get pumped up for their first ever tournament in 2009.

Ultimate Peace says this most lucidly – “When the responsibility of how to resolve a difference is placed solely upon the players, they must learn many new and important skills. Listening to another point of view, finding common ground, and resolving differences amicably are all core competencies of a great Ultimate player. These are interpersonal abilities that can have extraordinary impact on the field and well beyond. Imagine the advantages youth from different backgrounds will have in their adult lives as they work together to resolve some of the world’s most difficult challenges. In many ways, Ultimate strives to revolutionize sports. Since it’s infancy, a common and powerful dynamic has emerged–players literally grow up as a result of playing this game.”

Make new friends

Ultimate is great way to make new friends. Ultimate Players love feeling that they are a part of this unique community of like-minded people. Teammates spend hours playing together, developing their skills and teaching each other about skills relevant to life.

Through these experiences, teams feel like a family and many players find lifelong friends. Also unique to the sport is the innate friendly dynamic between teammates and opposing teams that is facilitated by the Spirit of the Game. The camaraderie shared not just between teammates but rivals is unparalleled in the sporting world.

Some of my best friends across the world are fellow Ultimate players, both teammates and rivals.

Post game photo: India Vs Ireland, World Championships of Beach Ultimate 2011. We were having so much fun, its hard to pick out the winning team!Photo: Chetan Padia

It is believed that Plato once said – “You can learn more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”

This holds good, especially, in the case of Ultimate, because your character is on display every moment you are on the field.

Give this sport a chance and you’ll find your reasons to love it.

There is Ultimate in most big cities in India. If you would like to try it, please drop me a line at and we can have you join us at the very next session.

P.S: For the record, Ireland beat India in that game at the World Championships.