In Ultimate Frisbee, the role of a spirit captain is to promote and uphold the spirit of the game, ensuring that players adhere to the principles of fair play, sportsmanship and positive conduct both on and off the field.
What is the Role of the Spirit Captain in Ultimate Frisbee?
In our last blog post, we spoke of what the Spirit Circle is, now taking it a step further, as promised in that blog post, we share more about the role of a Spirit Captain in Ultimate Frisbee.
So while not a formal position within the game’s rules, the spirit captain is often a designated individual who takes on a leadership role in encouraging a positive playing environment.
If you’ve been appointed a spirit captain or wish to know more, then do read on for some key responsibilities and roles of a spirit captain in Ultimate Frisbee:
1. Promoting Sportsmanship:
It’s always believed that one must lead by example, and the same goes for the spirit captain. He/She sets an example for their team by demonstrating good sportsmanship, fair play and respectful behaviour.
They encourage their teammates to treat opponents, referees and other players with respect and fairness.
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2. Educating and Encouraging Spirit:
The spirit captain helps educate their team about SOTG (the Spirit Of The Game), emphasising the importance of integrity, self-officiation and mutual respect.
They encourage their teammates to embrace the values of Ultimate Frisbee and embody them during matches.
3. Facilitating Communication:
A very important point here – the spirit captain acts as a bridge of communication between their team and opposing teams. They encourage open dialogue and address any conflicts or concerns that may arise during games, promoting constructive discussions and finding resolutions that prioritise fair play and sportsmanship.
4. Advocating for Spirit Scores:
Spirit captains often play a role in the spirit scoring process.
They ensure that their team understands the criteria for assessing spirit and encourage fair and honest evaluations of their opponents.
They may also discuss spirit scores with other team captains to address any discrepancies or concerns.
Read here for:
- 7 Reasons Why Children Should Play Ultimate Frisbee
- Basic Rules of Ultimate Frisbee – To Help Get Us Started
5. Resolving Disputes:
When conflicts or disputes occur during a game, the spirit captain may take the lead in creating the right space that allows for discussions between players involved, encouraging a resolution that aligns with the spirit of the game and maintaining a positive atmosphere.
Side note: the role of a spirit captain may vary depending on the specific team or league. Some teams may have multiple spirit captains, while in others, it may be a rotating role. Regardless of the specific structure, the spirit captain plays a vital role in fostering a positive and respectful Ultimate Frisbee community by inspiring their teammates to embrace the spirit of the game and adhere to its values.
In today’s times, this on the face of it may seem far-fetched – but that’s the value that Ultimate Frisbee brings – the value of upholding these essential principles which are very relevant today, and will always be.
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