Unit Plan 21 (Grade 3 PE): Ultimate Frisbee Lead-Up

Focus: Develop throwing and catching in space, strengthen movement to open areas, and introduce simple offense and defense through beginner Ultimate Frisbee lead-up activities.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: Physical Education (Ultimate Frisbee • Throwing & Catching • Offense, Defense & Space Awareness)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students explore Ultimate Frisbee as a lead-up invasion game that combines throwing, catching, movement, and teamwork without heavy contact or complex equipment. In this unit, students begin with backhand throws and clap catches with partners so they can learn how to release a disc with control and receive it safely while keeping eyes on the target. They then apply those skills in Frisbee Accuracy Stations and Mini-Ultimate, where students practice leading passes into space, moving to open areas, and defending by staying between an opponent and the endzone. Throughout the unit, students focus on accurate throwing, safe catching, open-space movement, and learning that success in Ultimate comes from teamwork, positioning, and quick decisions rather than simply throwing far.

Essential Questions

• How can I throw and catch a disc with better control?
• What does it mean to move to open space in Ultimate Frisbee?
• How can I help my team on offense without the disc?
• What does good defensive position look like in a Mini-Ultimate game?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Throw and catch a disc with improving control and consistency during partner and game tasks.
2. Combine movement, throwing, and catching skills in modified Ultimate Frisbee activities.
3. Use personal and general space effectively to move into open areas and avoid crowding.
4. Demonstrate simple offensive strategies such as moving to open space and passing to an open teammate.
5. Demonstrate simple defensive strategies such as staying between an opponent and the endzone and attempting safe interceptions.

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.3c – Throwing & Catching in Games Throw (underhand and overhand) and catch objects with increasing accuracy and consistency in partner, group, and small-sided game situations.
  • Example: Students complete a sequence of accurate passes with a partner while moving in a small grid.
• PE:S1.3f – Combining Skills in Small-Sided Games Combine locomotor and object-control skills (run, dodge, throw, catch, strike, kick) in modified small-sided games.
  • Example: Students play 3v3 passing games where they must move to open space, receive a pass, and attempt to score in a goal zone.
• PE:S2.3a – Space Awareness & Positioning Use knowledge of personal and general space to find open areas, avoid collisions, and position appropriately during games.
  • Example: In keep-away games, students move away from defenders to create open passing lanes.
• PE:S2.3d – Basic Offensive Strategies Demonstrate simple offensive strategies such as moving to open space, passing to an open teammate, and using quick changes of direction.
  • Example: In mini-soccer, students move into open space to receive a pass then quickly dribble toward the goal.
• PE:S2.3e – Basic Defensive Strategies Demonstrate simple defensive strategies such as staying between an opponent and a goal or target and attempting to intercept passes.
  • Example: In keep-away, students position themselves between the passer and target to block or intercept the ball.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can throw a backhand pass with more control.
• I can catch a disc safely with ready hands and eyes on the target.
• I can move to open space when my team has the disc.
• I can stay between my player and the endzone on defense.
• I can help my team by passing, catching, and moving with purpose.