Coaches: Dominick Smyth57 items
Take a look through the theory and drills from Dominick Smyth.

Dominick played his first ultimate competition in Spring 1998. His 3rd competition was World Ultimate Club Championships in summer 1999. Since then he has won multiple All-Ireland titles, competed at European and World Championships for Ireland and played extensively around Europe and north America.
In 2011 Dominick established Dublin Youth Ultimate - a business dedicated to introducing young people to ultimate and flying disc games. The company has gone on to work with roughly 8,000 new participants every year through schools, youth groups and DYUnicorns.
In 2011 Dominick established Dublin Youth Ultimate - a business dedicated to introducing young people to ultimate and flying disc games. The company has gone on to work with roughly 8,000 new participants every year through schools, youth groups and DYUnicorns.
theory




drills

3 attackers against 1 defender creates mismatches for the attackers to try to exploit. With the numerical advantage, the attackers should succeed - can they?

A series of actions to get people familiar, comfortable and confident with discs and catching. Also introduces main catching types - clap, high and low.

A simplified game to introduce the objectives of ultimate as well as basic rules.

A simple drill that gets people putting on a one-way force to push opponents to one side of the pitch. Also gives new throwers time to get used to a defenders presence.

An exercise in keeping possession and making space for each other in a small space. With only one person able to receive a pass, it is important for players to make space for each other.

A 1-on-1 catching competition that gives participants opportunities to practice catching high discs under pressure while avoiding contact.

Show and practice the basic concept of "clearing" out of one part of the pitch in order to make space for other team mates to run into and catch a pass.

When a team forces their opponents to throw to one side of the pitch, it gives other defenders a chance to stand on that side of their player in position to get an interception. This drill gives a chance to practice staying on that side, even as the attacker moves.

Since attackers are able to move in all directions, it is important that defenders can move in all directions as well.

Free play to encourage experimentation and creativity regarding possible ways to throw. As long as it leaves the throwers hand and a receiver has a good chance to catch it, it is an acceptable throw.

This simple game of chasing aims to teach players the benefit and importance of moving away from the disc.

A playful exercise intended to encourage participants to speak up for themselves if they are not happy with what happened. This ties in with self-refereeing when players need to speak up if they notice a rule being broken.

Using a basic rule set, and an expansion from the simplified rules, teams play games in a manner closer to the full rule set. This rule set, pitch dimensions and player numbers can be gradually expanded as ability increases.

An additional rule to encourage players to make space for each other.

Extra rules in a match to encourage receiver to make longer runs in specific directions.

Extra rules in a match to encourage marking a thrower in order to limit their options and to encourage throwers and receivers to use space available.

Running Humans play against shuffling Zombies. This fun game teaches Humans about running into space to get away from opponents and having to defend against multiple opponents simultaneously. Zombies learn about getting the disc to an unmarked opponent when attacking and positioning themselves to minimise the space available to the Humans.

While the attacker tries to cover a large area, the defender aims to mirror their movements but in a smaller space.

Since throwers can not move, receivers must. This introduces simple movement and throwing to space.

An exercise in keeping possession and moving the disc away from defenders. Two large teams keep their running score in a race to complete 100 passes.

A group of attackers, in a circle, attempt to keep possession away from a small number of defenders inside the circle.

A lighthearted game to practice catching under pressure while also joking with other participants.

As a teams understanding of ultimate develops, they should look to use all areas of the pitch - namely forward, backwards and sideways. This game uses a short, but wide, pitch to encourage side to side play due to two scoring areas for each team on opposite sides of the pitch.

Throwing and catching to practice technique and expand range.