Ann Arbor Pickup Ultimate

Current games:

• HAC Ultimate: Sundays at 10am, Mitchell field. This group of socially-minded Ann Arborites plays one of the loosest, most laid back pickup games around (albiet everyone usually wears shoes). Emphasis here is on getting everyone the disk and ensuring all players have fun while being safe and in control. They play with few rules, no stall and lots of spirit. NOTE: Overly competitive players will be politely asked to leave...this is a relaxed pickup game.
• Mitchell Ultimate: Sundays at 3pm, Mitchell field. This group plays a game similar to that of the NC Ultimate group, with an emphasis on the fun and social aspects of ultimate. The group is a mix of students and graduates that love to play in any weather.
• NC Ultimate: Saturdays at 3pm, Fuller fields. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome at this game, and the style of play is similar to a early-season weekend league game (will use organized offense/defense, but organized is used loosely here). Great core group of players and fun for all!

If you'd like to get on a mailing list which has announcements for pickup games, go to http://lists.a2ultimate.org/mailman/listinfo/annarborpickup

Tell us about your pickup ultimate game or correct the schedule below: annarborpickup@lists.a2ultimate.org

Dearborn Pickup:
Tuesdays at 6:00pm in Dearborn
http://www.dearbornultimate.com/

Southfield Pickup:
Thursdays at 6:00pm in Southfield
http://groups.google.com/group/detroit-ultimate
Where: Southfield public library, 20060 Civic Center Dr,Southfield, MI 48075
Description: Players of all skill, age and abilities are welcome. The group has been meeting for over 15 years and has a good core of players that builds each year. There are stalls and organized offense and defense depending on the player mix that day. The basic premise is fun and outdoor enjoyment.

Tips for Playing in your first Ultimate Pickup Game

1. Introduce yourself. Ask if this game uses a stall count and if there are any special rules.
2. Bring a white shirt AND a dark shirt. This makes it easier to form teams. Don't bring gray or yellow, they are always confusing.
3. Some pickup games use the Last Back system for substituting when there are a lot of subs trying to get into the game. When Last Back is used, it means that each time one team scores, it's an open call for players on the other team. So if white scores and you want to get into the game on the dark team, just run to the line where the dark team will start the point, with your dark shirt. The first seven players to the line are the dark team for the next point.
4. If something happens on the field that you don't understand, ask a more experienced player.
5. Most of the time, when the other team is on offense you will be playing person to person defense, where each player on the defensive team guards one player on the other team. It's important that two teammates not guard the same opponent, since that will leave another opponent unguarded. When one team is about to Pull (throw the disk down the field to start the point), the pulling team matches up against the receiving team. The most common way to do this is by matching up across, i.e. the players on the pulling team matching the players on the receiving team in the order they are standing on the line. If you find yourself matched against a super ultimate stud (or anyone you'd prefer not to mark) ask someone on your team to switch. Don't just decide on your own to switch, since this will leave your team not marking the person you switched off of.
6. When your team turns the disc over (either throws it incomplete or throws it out of bounds or it's caught by the other team) you will switch from offense to defense. Normally you will mark the person who was marking you. If it's confusing or people don't know who to mark, pick an opponent and tell your teammates "I've got the guy in the orange and purple shirt" so they'll know that that's who you are marking and they need to mark someone else.
7. Don't forget: it's for fun.

Last updated: 1/2/2009