For some context, I’ve been coaching sports for 30+ years, have been to more than 600 schools, taught frisbee to more than 150,000 kids, worked with thousands of PE teachers, spoken at Physical Literacy conferences, learned from the leading experts in the field of physical literacy, and the data is pretty clear on single sport specialization for kids. I wrote about Physical Literacy Through Frisbee on my main site, Frisbee Rob, but that’s also more targeted towards adults.
Last year, I started a youth ultimate frisbee club called Hooligans Frisbee Club, and we only run a Spring and Summer League. Both myself and the co-founder (who is a father of a teenager) agree that kids should play other sports, meet other kids, have a variety of coaching styles, and take a break from ultimate.
As passionate ultimate frisbee players, coaches, and advocates, it’s easy to want kids to play the sport year-round. Many communities offer fall leagues and indoor winter programs, and kids who fall in love with the game often want to keep playing. But just because they can play ultimate all year doesn’t mean they should.
In fact, taking a seasonal approach to ultimate—playing in the spring and summer while exploring other sports in the fall and winter—is better for kids in the long run. Here’s why.
1. Multi-Sport Athletes Build Better Physical Literacy
Physical literacy—the ability to move confidently and competently in different environments—is developed through exposure to a variety of movements, sports, and activities. Ultimate is fantastic for running, jumping, cutting, throwing, and catching, but it doesn’t train all aspects of athleticism.
Kids who play different sports develop a more well-rounded skill set:
- Basketball improves agility, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness.
- Soccer builds endurance, footwork, and game sense.
- Hockey strengthens balance, reaction time, and lower-body power.
- Gymnastics or martial arts develop flexibility, body control, and discipline.
By playing a mix of sports, kids become stronger, more adaptable athletes—and when they return to ultimate in the spring, they bring those new skills with them.
2. Meeting New Friends & Coaches Helps Social Development
Team sports are about more than just competition; they foster belonging and community. Many kids get into sports because their friends play, and ultimate is still growing at the grassroots level. Unlike soccer, basketball, or hockey, ultimate doesn’t yet have a deep-rooted culture in most communities.
By playing other sports in the off-season, kids:
- Meet new friends and expand their social circles.
- Learn from different coaching styles and leadership approaches.
- Gain exposure to different team dynamics, strategies, and cultures.
And the best part? Kids who play other sports in the fall and winter can invite those new friends to try ultimate in the spring, helping grow the sport in a natural, inclusive way.
3. Reducing the Risk of Burnout & Overuse Injuries
Repetitive motion injuries are a major concern in youth sports. Ultimate involves a lot of sprinting, cutting, and lateral movement, which can lead to muscle imbalances and overuse injuries if played year-round without variation.
By taking a break from ultimate and engaging in different sports:
- Kids develop different muscle groups, reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
- They get mental and emotional variety, which keeps sports fun and engaging.
- They avoid burnout—a major reason kids quit sports altogether.
When ultimate remains a seasonal sport, kids return to it in the spring refreshed, excited, and ready to improve.
4. Ultimate Isn’t “The Best” Sport—And That’s Okay
No single sport is the best for every kid. The best sport is whatever makes a child happy, healthy, and engaged. As much as we love ultimate, we have to recognize that different kids will find their passion in different activities.
As adults—whether we’re parents, coaches, or organizers—it’s our responsibility to guide kids toward well-rounded experiences. That means encouraging variety, not just in ultimate but in all sports.
Final Thoughts: Playing Ultimate Year-Round Isn’t the Answer
If a child truly loves ultimate, they’ll come back to it. Giving them the chance to explore different sports makes them better ultimate players in the long run, while also helping them grow socially, physically, and mentally.
So let’s keep ultimate a spring and summer sport for kids. Encourage them to play hockey, basketball, soccer, or any other sport in the off-season. Let them rest, recharge, and come back to ultimate with new skills, new friends, and a renewed love for the game.
Because sometimes, the best way to grow ultimate isn’t to play it all year—but to step away and come back stronger.