FREESTYLE FRISBEE

Freestyle frisbee is a cooperative sport that combines the basic game of throw and catch with aspects of gymnastics, dance, martial arts, and other physical disciplines. It’s both a creative art and an athletic challenge. One of the fundamental tricks in freestyle is the Nail Delay – balancing the spinning disc on your fingernail.

In competition, pairs or trios perform choreographed or spontaneous routines set to music all while spinning, twirling, tossing or rolling one or more discs. Routines are judged on their artistic merit, difficulty, and execution of the attempted moves.

Outside of competition, freestyle is an improvisation between players in which each move, throw, catch, hoop, or touch of the disc inspires and encourages the next one. This is called jamming, and to most players, it’s the most important part of the sport. Like skateboarding, snowboarding, or surfing, freestyle has its own lexicon of names for moves. And of course, moves range from beautiful to radical, elegant and flowing to sick-hard. It’s freestyle, so anything goes!

Freestyle Frisbee at Trnava Frisbee Games

In 2018 freestyle disc was the premiere event of TFG as the FPA Freestyle Disc World Championship was held in Trnava. This year the freestyle event will be smaller but not less interesting. You will be able to see some of the best freestylers from Europe and possibly from USA competing in both the usual and more experimental divisions and enjoying jamming (free play), showing their best moves.

Photos by Ron Kretschmann

DIVISIONS OF COMPETITION

There are four most common competition divisions in freestyle frisbee. Let’s take a look what they are about:

OPEN PAIRS

Frisbee competition has a history of highlighting gender equality and as such, Open Pairs can be any two people. Routines in this division last 4 minutes and tend to be the most turbo. This division, by having the most teams, creates a „go for broke, all or nothing“ explosive performance. Many consider Open Pairs the most prestigious division to win.

2018 Open pairs World Championship winning routine >>

OPEN COOP

Although a game of throw and catch can be enjoyed by two people, it’s often more fun with even more friends. Open co-op explores this idea with three person teams. Routines last for 5 minutes and exhibit a more complex approach to teamwork and choreography. This three person division allows the opportunity to explore intricate disc exchanges not possible with two person teams.

2018 Open COOP World Championship winning routine >>

MIXED PAIRS

While Open Pairs allows teams to pair up as they choose, Mixed Pairs teams must include one man and one woman. This male/female dynamic inspires teams to higher levels of creativity and emotion. Routines in this division last 4 minutes and tend to be the most charismatic, balancing male and female strengths and interactive disc relationships in a show that is beautiful, elegant and strong.

2018 Mixed pairs World Championship winning routine >>

WOMEN PAIRS

With many more men than women entering competitive Freestyle, this division gives women a chance to express their unique styles. Teams are made up of two women. Routines last 4 minutes and showcase women’s power and skill while simultaneously displaying a graceful nuanced approach to freestyle.

2018 Women pairs World Championship winning routine >>

DIVISIONS OF COMPETITION

There are four most common competition divisions in freestyle frisbee. Let’s take a look what they are about: