Spirit of The Game

Spirit of the Game
 Spirit of the Game is a phrase that must be known by every Ultimate Frisbee player there is. Ultimate Frisbee, if you don't already know, is a game played nationally that combines the gameplay of basketball, football and soccer, but all with a disc. Typically, this sport is played without referees and relies heavily on sportsmanship for the game to go smoothly without any disputes. This is where Spirit of the Game comes in. This is a phrase that was put in place by USA Ultimate and is basically drilled into player's heads. The spirit of the game revolves around sportsmanship and being a good team player. With no referees, players must be respectful to each other. A big part of the game is being friendly and becoming friends with your opponents. Yes there is competition, but the overlying point is for people with a passion to come together. In my league in Columbus, after every game we hold a Spirit Circle. This is when both teams get together and circle up, and award a member of the other team a prize. For example, prizes were given to the other players for being a good sport, for being respectful on a called foul, or for just being a fun person to play against. The awards can range from snacks, to candy and even some times fun things like stuffed animals or toys. I have gotten a Spirit Award multiple times because I love talking to the people I play against and always congratulate them on their scores. The point of this is to bring players together after some competition and remember the real reason why we are there: because we love the game and to make new friends. Some other ways that we demonstrate spirit is after every game, your team will chant "Good game ___" and then your team name. My team was called FOG (Frisbee of Gahanna) so the other teams would yell "Good game FOG" and we would yell that with their team night right back. Additionally, after someone scores a point, you must switch end zones so the teams have to walk by each other. It is typical for the teams to high five at least one player of the other team while walking past each other to get set up for the next point. Having the Spirit of the Game mentality makes playing Ultimate Frisbee fun for everyone and helps the bonds being made among players of all ages, skill ranges and backgrounds. Because of Spirit of the Game, I have made so many lifelong friends who I can continue to have fun with as I play them through the years. Spirit of the Game makes Ultimate Frisbee less of a game, but more of a get together with friends. My Ultimate Frisbee experience has definitely been positively impacted by Spirit of the Game and I hope this is something that teams and leagues continue to carryout as a main virtue. 

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