YOUTH

While many children and youth have either seen or thrown a disc informally at the park or beach, Flying Disc Sports and its disciplines are much more than that! They are exciting and cater to different skills and interests of children and youth, from creativity in Freestyle and athleticism in Ultimate to accuracy in Disc Golf and fearlessness in Guts, and a mix of them all in Overall! 

But beyond the basic actions of throwing and catching, why are Flying Disc Sports an interesting option for children and youth?

It offers a wide range of benefits and unique characteristics that make it a great sport for children and youth of all backgrounds:

  • Variety: The different Flying Disc disciplines offer variety in terms of purpose and skills needed.
  • Equal Skill Level: Participants often start at a similar skill level when learning the disciplines, ensuring an equal skill level.
  • Character Development: The self-refereed nature of the disciplines teaches players vital skills in communication, fair-play, compromise, and conflict resolution.
  • Gender Equality: Disciplines like Ultimate feature mixed-gender play, which is a fundamental and integrated part of its rules at all levels, from recreational play to elite international competition.
  • Non-Contact: As a non-contact sport, Flying Disc disciplines welcome participants regardless of their prior sports experience without the fear of contact.
  • Skill Development: Learning to catch and perfecting different throws with a disc are a new and exciting challenge for most, providing a rewarding and fun learning curve.
  • Teamwork Focus: Disciplines like Ultimate are a team sport that necessitates strong cooperation and communication among teammates to succeed.
  • Adaptable Environment: Flying Disc Sports can be played both indoors and outdoors, and the playing area can be easily adjusted to suit available space, from grass fields to beaches to gymnasiums.
  • Limited Equipment Needs: Disciplines have minimal equipment needs; at its core, just a disc!
  • Small Number of Players: A number of disciplines are individual, while others, like Ultimate can be played 7-on-7, or be adapted based on a number of factors.
Skills Taught Through Flying Disc Sports

Flying Disc Sports are not just about competitive play; it's a powerful tool for developing a wide array of social, emotional, and physical skills, such as:

Social and Emotional

Physical
  • Communication
  • Commitment
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Creativity
  • Decision-making
  • Emotional Control
  • Honesty
  • Leadership
  • Patience and Understanding
  • Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
  • Teamwork
  • Balance
  • Body Control
  • Catching and Throwing
  • Coordination
  • Endurance
  • Jumping
  • Running Form
  • Spatial Awareness
  • Speed and Agility

Whether alone or in a group, Flying Disc Sports are a fantastic opportunity for children and youth to stay active, develop personal and physical skills, and have fun!

 

Find your National Federation

Resources

WFDF, through efforts and collaboration with Committees, Commissions and Members, has developed a number of resources for children and youth; find them below: