Introduction to Ultimate Frisbee for Beginners: How to catch a disc by Dominick Smyth

Many different catching styles exist.  3 technical points (RUT) to be aware of to increase consistency are:

• R – Ready:  While sounding simple, a large number of catches are dropped because the receiver wasn’t expecting/ready for the pass.  Being ready for the pass greatly increases the success rate of catches.
• U – Up:  Hands up, ready to catch.  By having hands up, receivers are ready to react if the disc is off target and will have less work to do to get their hands in the correct position to catch.
• T – Two hands:  Although not required, two hands make for a higher success rate.  They also give a greater margin of error.

Crocodile / Pancake / Clap Catch

• Simplest and safest catching style.
• Suitable in all circumstances and especially when disc is between shoulder and waist height.
• Start with hands apart, palms facing.
• Catch by bringing hands together to trap the disc, similar to a crocodile closing it’s mouth.

See our instructional video here: Clap Catch

High Catch / Thumbs Down Catch

• Suitable for a pass above shoulder height.
• Start with hands level and fingers above thumbs.  Attempt to see the disc in the gap between hands.
• Catch by pinching the disc with both hands at the same time with fingers on top of teh disc and thumbs underneath.

See our instructional video here: Thumbs down catching

Low Catch / Thumbs Up Catch

• Suitable for a pass below waist height.  May also be used for passes below shoulder height.
• Start with hands level and fingers below thumbs.
• Catch by pinching the disc with both hands at the same time with fingers underneath the disc and thumbs on top.

See our instructional video here: Thumbs up catching