Ultimate FAQ

Q: How do you play?

A: It gets far more involved than this, but this site (Ultimate in 10 Simple Rules) should get you started.

Q: When do you play?

A: In the fall, we run a weekly pickup game--all are welcome to attend. Just get the paperwork from Coach Becker in room #121 and bring it to your first meeting. See the Team Information and Schedules pages of this site for more info, or just ask Coach Becker. In the spring, we turn competitive. We'll hold tryouts in late February, make the JV/Varsity cuts, and begin mandatory team practices.

Q: Where do you play?

A: See the Team Information page for maps to our practice and home-game fields.

Q: Can I play another sport at the same time that I play ultimate?

A: In the fall, most definitely. In the spring . . . not if this other sport is going to prevent you from attending practices and/or games on a regular basis. Tough to form a team if the individuals are not consistently present. For example, girls' soccer, track, or baseball would probably be a deal-breaker.

Q: Is it a real sport?

A: Yes, it's a real sport, with real competition between the league's many schools. Play is intense, athletic, and technical. There are specialized positions, offensive and defensive strategies, and plenty of individual, fundamental skills involved in ultimate--just like any other team sport.

Q: What other schools play in the league?

A: In 2011: Francis Howell Central, CBC, Parkway North, Priory, Clayton, Kirkwood, Afton, Chaminade, Parkway South, Metro, Desmet, SLUH, Nerinx Hall--the list changes a little every year, though.

Q: Is there contact in ultimate? Like, can I tackle fools?

A: No, there's no contact in ultimate. Although contact does occasionally occur, it's a foul if it's dangerous or changes the outcome of the play.

Q: Is the sport co-ed?

A: The league is played in an "open" format (no gender ratios enforced on the field), so the cut between JV & Varsity is merit-based (regardless of gender).

Q: I thought the team was called the Seven Sages?

A: For eight years, it was. We were not school-sponsored during that time and so were not allowed to carry the Spartans name. Some founding members did a little research and discovered The Seven Sages, the founders of Spartan culture. Seven players on the field per team . . . seven sages . . . history was made.