Games
Ladder Game (putting)
- Set up nine cones about a meter apart starting two meters away from the basket and continuing in a line away from the basket.
- Novices start with two or three discs, more experienced players use just one disc.
- Everyone starts with their foot behind the cone closest to the basket and take turns trying to get their disc in the basket.
- If they make the shot, they move on to the next round which will start at the second basket.
- Play continues this way until there is only one player who makes a shot.
Goal!
- Line up on the attack line of the lacrosse field (about 35 paces) and on your mark, everyone throws a disc trying to make it through the goal.
- If it goes through, they get a point. If it doesn't, they don't.
- Next, they line up and throw through the goal from the track. Scoring works the same way.
- I find 6 rounds works well.
Around the World (putting)
- Place a pylon starting at 2m and continue around the basket placing pylons getting further away from the basket by 1m every time. 9 in all. (It can be set up more easily in a line if you prefer.)
- Everyone takes turns putting from spot #1 and gets 1 point for a made putt.
- Everyone takes turns putting from spot #2 and gets 2 points for a made putt etc.
- Best score possible is 55 points.
Ring Of Fire (putting for large numbers)
- Students form a circle around the basket 6m away.
- Instructor counts down 3, 2, 1, FIRE! And everyone putts.
- If the putt is made, they go to the next round, which is 7m away. If not, they wait for the next game.
- Last student standing wins.
- If during any round, nobody makes a basket, everyone is back in.
Horse (putting for 3 or 4)
- Novices start with two or three discs, more experienced players use just one disc.
- The leader starts by picking a spot with their mini-marker and calling their shot (freestyle, backhand, forehand, spin putt, pitch putt, straddle putt, or turbo putt).
- If the leader misses, the next person becomes the leader. If the leader makes it, everyone else must make the same shot or else earn a letter.
- The first person who spells H-O-R-S-E is the first person out of the game.
- You can play until everyone is eliminated or until three are left standing or just until the first person is out.
Approach 21 (approach for 4-8)
- The student with the mini marker chooses a spot 25-50 meters from the basket and calls their shot (freestyle, backhand, forehand, thumber, tomahawk, upside down, hyzer bomb etc.)
- Scoring works like this:
3 points if you hit basket or above
2 points if you make the putt from the approach shot
1 point if you miss the putt but hit chains
0 points for missing the putt
- The first person who gets 21 points wins
Comfort Zone (approach for large numbers)
- Three baskets set up on a field at 25m, 35m, and 45m. Each basket should have eight cones or string or painted lines in a circle around them at a 9m radius. This is the "comfort zone".
- One disc per student.
- Students in three groups.
- Each student throws their disc and score one point for every disc they land in the "comfort zone" of the closest basket.
- Once each group has thrown and scored their points, the process is repeated for the next two baskets.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road (approach and putt)
- Set up a course on the football field using pylons spaced about 10 meters apart down the length of the field.
- The game works best with 4 or 5 players.
- Players take turns throwing down the "fairway" you've built.
- If a player lands outside the "fairway", they earn a point and that's bad. They must also return to the same spot as the farthest player back.
- Set up a basket at the far end of the field. Once a student gets there, they can attempt a putt.
- If they make the putt, they can deduct one point for themselves and every player in the group they beat to the checkpoint that has not yet putted out.
- If they miss and land outside the fairway, they earn another point and go back to the farthest player.
Individual Drills
Putting
Driving
- Repetition is key.
- Practice at the edge of what is comfortable for you to gradually increase your comfort zone.
- Have a routine and don't stray. It's just like free throw shooting. Dribble once, shoot. Dribble once, shoot. Dribble once, shoot. Whatever your routine is, as long as it's not ridiculously long and complex, stick to it.
- Practice with the wind, against the wind, cross wind, as well as in calm conditions.
- A headwind will tend to lift the disc, so putt nose down, low and strong.
- A tailwind will push the disc down, so release the putt higher with good extension.
Driving
- Stand in the middle of a football field and use a putter or a midrange to try to get them through the goal.
- Bring an object and imagine an area around that object 20m in diameter and practice landing in that zone.
- Practice all kinds of different throws but not all at once. One or two types of throws per day is ideal.