Disc Golf On The Run

Skill: Jump, Run, Throw
Time Required: 30
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Visually inspect the play area for hazards. Either remove the hazard, or the participants from the hazard. Remind participants to throw their disc only when it is safe to do so (not when there is a participant between themselves and the pylon.)
Equipment: 9 hoops
9 pylons (or alternative)
1 disc per participant or 1 disc per team
Objective:
For participants to throw their frisbee and hit pylon.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Cooperation
Flexibility
Speed
Set up:
Decide on a logical 9-hole set-up (e.g. holes go around the playfield, or back and forth along the width or the length of the area). Each team sets up one or more holes by placing a hoop on the ground for the start point and a pylon at the end of the hole as the finish point. Each team is assigned a starting hole. Divide participants into groups of 2–5.
Step by Step:
Warm Up

1. Use 4 pylons to identify line A and line B, about 5–10 meters apart.
2. Have participants face a partner, march in place behind line A and play Rock Paper Scissors (RPS). They jump twice as they say, "Rock, Paper, Scissors." On "Scissors", they strike one of 3 poses: ROCK–crouch down; PAPER–stand, legs apart, arms stretched to the sides; SCISSORS stand with arms stretched up high, ankles and wrists crossed.
3. Each pose conquers one other pose. Paper covers rock, scissors cut paper, and rock breaks scissors.
4. Each time they play, the winner jogs in place while the other student speed-walks to line B and back.
5. Participants continue to play RPS with a different partner each time.

Steps

Playing

Teams start at the hoop of one of the holes. Teams throw the disc toward the pylon in an attempt to ultimately make contact with the pylon, using the least amount of throws possible. When the thrown disk makes contact with the pylon, the hole is finished. After each throw, the team runs to the disc and throws again. They repeat throwing and running until the disc makes contact with the pylon. The total of throws made by the team is their score.

Variations

One disk per team: Each participant, in turn, throws the disc toward the pylon at the end of the hole. After a throw, the team runs to the disc and the next participant in order throws.

One disk per participant "team total score": Each player is responsible for throwing, for running after, and keeping score of his or her own disk. At the end of the hole, each player’s score is added for a total team score

One disk per participant "scramble": Each player throws from the hoop. While waiting for their turn, players perform stride jumps. As a team, they decide on the best throw’s location for the next attempt at the pylon. When the location is decided, the team, as one, jogs to retrieve the remaining disks and returns to the best location for the next throw. Each participant throws from the best location and the process repeats itself until the hole is finished.

Exercise holes: Each hole could have a different exercise to perform before beginning the next hole. The team’s score from the previous hole determines the number of repetitions.

Movement variations: The teams could skip, jog, run, hop, crab-walk, or dance to the disc. Teams could also have to move while connected together, or as a train, from point to point.

Cool Down

1. Have participants face a partner, walk in place, and play Rock Paper Scissors (RPS).
2. While they walk in place they say, "Rock, Paper, Scissors." On "Scissors", they strike one of 3 poses: ROCK–crouch down; PAPER–stand, legs apart, arms stretched to the sides; SCISSORS–stand with arms stretched up high, ankles and wrists crossed.
3. Each time they play, the winner leads the partner in a stretch for 15–20 seconds.
4. Participants continue to play RPS with a different partner each time.
Variations:
While waiting to throw the disc, participants should be active (e.g. jog on the spot).
Rules of golf etiquette should apply; farthest from the hole throws first (this is also a safety issue).
Heavier disks are better for disk golf, especially on windy days.

Adaptations (General):
Ensure that all participants have an opportunity to throw the disc irrespective of their level of ability.

Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment):
Have a guide or fellow team member help orient participants who are blind or visually impaired with the location of the pylon. The guide could stand beside the pylon and call out so that the participant has a point of reference.

Adaptations (Mobility Impairment):
A participant with a mobility limitation (e.g., a wheelchair user) may not be able to jump. Consider employing the conventional "Rock, Paper Scissors" using hands in the event that it is not possible for participants to crouch or stand.
Sources: Ophea