MÜS

Catching

 

One of the best ways to learn good ultimate is to watch the great players and figure out what it is they are doing. This is how the concept of power catching was developed. This is simply "go to the disc" taken to its limit. The most secure catch is the smothering of the disc in your center of gravity. It combines the security of the pancake catch, blocking with the body, and a firm grip on the rim. The premise of power catching is to position your body so this catch is always possible. This may entail sprinting faster or jumping higher than you might to just reach the disc with your outstretched hands. The end results of this approach are a) going to the disc, b) good positioning and c) secure, un-defendable receptions.

 

As in all power ultimate, planning and focus are the keys to success. The first step is to decide where the disc will first be catchable. This is reading the disc. Once you've decided where you will first be able to catch the disc, get there. Don't watch the disc. Don't run with an outstretched arm. These things will slow you down. Instead, put your head down and run to the spot you think the disc going to. When you get near, look again for the disc and fine tune your approach.

 

Plan your approach to the disc to establish position and allow an aggressive surge to the disc. Don't get there early and wait for the disc to arrive. That will allow the defender a more aggressive position. If you have arrived early enough, slow your approach and then attack the flight of the disc by accelerating toward it, positioning your body to smother the disc. This is the power part.

 

The final act of catching requires good hand eye coordination. This means looking the disc into your hands. The advice for hitting the baseball is "Keep your eye on the ball." A study done with professional baseball players showed they actually watch the baseball hit the bat when they were learning to hit a new pitcher. But when they became comfortable with the types of pitches thrown, they would look up at the last second. I think you will find that ultimate players also look away at the last second because are familiar with how a disc behaves. This leads to some drops when the disc, or the hand, isn't exactly where expected. A disc is considered caught when it stops spinning in your hand. At that instant the hotstamp becomes legible. If you want to catch every pass, read the hotstamp every time.

 

Now clearly you can't get perfect positioning for every catch. Some throws will be at the limit of your reach. Here are some tips to simplify the catch.

 

• Be aggressive towards the disc.

• Whenever possible, get two hands on the disc.

• If you can't get in front of the disc, don't try a pancake catch. Grab the rim instead.

• Try to get at least one hand on the rim, even when pancaking.

• Always read the hotstamp.

 

There is a special technique for catching with two hands when you are running toward a high, oncoming disc. This can be a difficult catch with the disc scooting between your palms or blocked from behind by a defender. Instead of attempting to grab the disc with two hands on the rim, block the disc with an open-faced right hand while grabbing the rim with the left hand. At the same time, palm the disc with your right hand. The open right hand performs several functions: blocks a strong throw so the disc can't push past your open palm, provides a larger area for contact if the wind shifts the disc unexpectedly, makes the left handed grab easier by killing momentum and reducing spin, blocks the defender from the disc, and allows you to palm the disc with your right hand. Even when you fail to catch the pass it will fall straight down and give you another opportunity for a reception.

 

Whenever you are practicing your throws, practice your catches. Position yourself properly for each catch. Look the disc into your hands. Read the hotstamp. This will give you increased confidence and ability for those tough catches in a tricky wind or with a defender on your back.