Ultimate Tournaments

Ultimate tournaments are a lot of fun. You get to stand on the sideline with other spectators and the players. I think it's that closeness to the players that makes it such a special sport to watch. A typical tournament day will have your child's team playing 2-4 games... yes, that's 2-4 games in one day. There will be 30-90 minutes between games, so you can usually drive to get lunch if you didn't bring food to the field. Tournaments are usually Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday there are usually single elimination games, so only the winning teams continue playing up to the finals.

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But a day of Ultimate can be challenging for a spectator if you are not prepared. Here are a few things you should bring:

1. a folding chair
2. a hat
3. sun block lotion (and use it often)
4. some food and drinks (unless it's Nationals, there usually are no food or drinks available on the fields)
5. a camera (if it's a small one, use it for close-ups of the players - action shots are usually not very good unless you have a telephoto lens)
6. a video camera is great to bring. You'll love watching them later (especially if your team wins)

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If you are in a position to help with a few team supplies, here's what many Ultimate players like during a tournament:

1. ice (filling up an ice chest is best - I often buy a cheap styrofoam cooler from a local store and throw it away after the tournament)
2. gatorade (the tournament usually supplies water)
3. fruit (oranges and bananas - and if you really want to go all out, cut the oranges into quarters)
4. healthy snacks - perhaps pistachio nuts, bagels, peanut butter and bread. Ask your child what his/her team likes.

HAVE FUN !