Developing Positive Discipline & Goal Setting in Children Through Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate Frisbee can have a positive impact on children’s discipline and goal-setting skills. We explain how…

I speak to our coach and co-founder, Samarth Shetty who has been playing the sport for 14 years as to how ultimate has added discipline and goal setting skills in his life.

He shares 7 points with us.

1. Structure & Routine:

Whichever sport you participate in, it requires a structured approach, including regular practice sessions, training schedules, and adherence to team rules and game schedules.

“This structured environment helped me develop discipline by instilling a sense of responsibility and commitment to attend practices, follow instructions, and meet the responsibilities that come with being part of a team” says Samarth.

2. Regular Practice & Effort:

Through ultimate, children learn the importance of regular practice and effort in order to improve their skills and performance. To this, Samarth adds, “for me, ultimate helped me develop focus which made me a better player, and so I enjoyed the game even more”. Hence, children learn that consistent and dedicated practice is essential for progress. This understanding promotes discipline as children must allocate time and effort towards achieving their desired goals.

3. Goal Setting:

“Ultimate gave me the opportunity to even think of and work towards specific goals. Whether it was improving a particular skill or wanting to excel by contributing to the success of the team. It’s this that really helped me play for India” – Samarth

Ultimate helps children understand the importance of setting goals, whether it’s long-term or short-term – which can be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) – but we get to such a stage as children develop their play and mature into young adults but it’s important to introduce these ideas as it helps children remain committed towards their efforts, of drawing out the best in themselves as an individual, rather than through comparison.

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4. Perseverance & Resilience:

“Setbacks are a part of any sport – and sometimes dealing with these setbacks can be more challenging when we don’t know how to. Thankfully, I was well-guided.”

“…I was taught that to get through, I require perseverance and resilience.”

Which is why we look to share the same principles with the children and young adults we coach. The idea is to learn how to overcome obstacles, bounce back from setbacks and stay motivated in the face of challenges. Ultimate frisbee provides a platform to develop mental toughness and the discipline to keep pushing forward with joy and grace.

5. Time Management:

Engaging in sports requires balancing commitments between school, practice sessions, games, and other responsibilities. We work with parents and their child to help them learn to manage their time effectively, prioritise tasks, and make necessary adjustments to accommodate their sporting activities. This skill of balancing multiple commitments promotes discipline, organisation “and it teaches you to value time – not just your own, but of your parents, coach and teammates and all those involved in supporting your development “ adds Samarth.

6. Accountability, Responsibility & Support:

“Whether it’s on the field while playing a game, or while practicing, you slowly begin to learn that you are a part of a team, and you are equally responsible to play your part effectively” – and adding to what Samarth has mentioned, every player in a team is part of a structure that can either strengthen or weaken – but in this structure you learn to support where needed making the child a reliable team player.

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7. Sportsmanship & Fair Play:

Ultimate frisbee is a self-officiating sport, where the spirit of the game truly holds value – players sort out their disputes amongst themselves and get on with the game. Plus with ultimate being a mixed gender sport, there is an emphasis on playing with equality too.

“So yes, sports promotes values like sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for rules and opponents – but with ultimate, these foundations are what make the sport the Ultimate sport. And so, children learn to respect these values and principles, making the atmosphere gentler, safer and far more enjoyable to play in.”

Samarth ends by saying that “by engaging in ultimate, children learn valuable lessons in discipline and goal-setting that extend beyond the sports field. These skills can positively impact other areas of their lives, such as academics, personal relationships, and future career pursuits.”

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We, School of Ultimate wish to work closely with parents to help children and young adults lead healthy lives by coaching the game in our sessions in Mumbai. We’ve begun sessions for kids and young adults aged 7-10 and 11-16 years old.

To know more, check out our About Us page or FAQs on our Coaching