Ultimate frisbee requires strenuous preparation

The IU men's Ultimate Frisbee team, the Hoosiermamas, is going to be a solid contender this spring for a shot at nationals. Virtually the entire roster is returning from last year in which the Hoosiermamas won two tournaments, finished second in sectionals, third in regionals and made it to the semifinals. They were just two points shy of making nationals -- where the top two teams from each region receives a bid -- suffering a defeat from Ohio State 15-13.\n"It's going to be a real exciting season. We're definitely looking to secure that first place bid for nationals," graduate student Matthew Molter said.\nThe Hoosiermamas compete in tournaments hosted by other universities across the nation. Each tournament usually hosts 20 teams through which each team plays anywhere from five to seven games. IU has three tournaments coming up the next three weekends with its first stop in Charlotte, N.C.\n"North Carolina has historically been a hotbed. That's where three national champions have come from in the last ten years. We are seeded sixth, so we are definitely the underdog to win the tournament," law student Thor Martin said.\nThis team works hard because of the serious competition. They practice nearly every day and days not practicing are spent training and conditioning.\n"This sport is endurance driven with a lot of sprinting during games. Just the other day we ran to Lake Griffy and back," Molter said.\nUltimate Frisbee is played on a soccer style field with end zones 25 yards deep. A player cannot run with the disc; it is advanced through passing. When the disc hits the ground it is turned over to the other team. The objective of the game is to be the first team to score 15 points or be the team ahead after the hour and a half time limit.\n"People don't realize how involved it is until they start playing. There are plays including offenses and defenses. It's not just people throwing the frisbee around," sophomore team secretary, Andrew Sabo said.\nUltimate is an up-and-coming sport. Just last year it was a pseudo medal sport in the World Games. Nearly every major university has a team that is governed by the Ultimate Players Association which promotes and supports the sport. \n"If someone wants to play then they can just come out. There is no experience necessary," Martin said.