French Frisbee Lesson

Frisbee is amazing. French frisbee is even better.

For all of you out there who have not tried Ultimate Frisbee, it's time. I have played a lot of sports over the years (soccer, basketball, netball, tennis, swimming, diving, waterpolo, rowing, roller hockey, ice skating, ballet, swing dancing, hand dancing, salsa dancing, gymnastics, trampolining, yoga, rock climbing, ultimate frisbee, and kickball are the ones that come to mind) . . . of these, only Ultimate Frisbee has been consistently fun and happy.

There is no referee, and there is a system for adjudicating disputes. Each team I've played for has welcomed new people who don't know how to play. And at the end of the game, it's most likely that in some countries you'll sing the other team a goofy song to say thank you for the game, play a short children's game, or in others, you'll sit down and talk about everything the other team did that was great. It's like living with Mr. Rogers, but less creepy. And after that, you're more than likely to go out for beer or ice cream.

Here in France, I've joined the Montpellier Lez Héraultimates team. It's a mix of levels, and they do actual practices (a new thing for me, this practicing). I've gone with them to Bordeaux for a tournament, and another to Palavas to the beach. This weekend we're off to an indoor tournament somewhere near to Avignon.

And if you're also in the mood to mix it up, why not attempt to play in French. Here is some vocabulary to keep you on your toes. All the best . . . et en jeu.

L'Ultimate                   Ultimate

les règles                     the rules
le match                      the game
les équipes                  the teams
un équipier                  a teammate
les joueurs/joueuses    the players
le défenseur                 the defender
receveur                      receiver
remplaçant                   substitute
souliers à crampons    cleets/boots

un pied pivot               pivot foot
le revers                      the backhand
le coup droit               the forehand
le renversé                  the hammer
un appel                      a call (people use this to describe a cut)

validation                    check disc
contrôle                       check feet

le terrain                      the field
le sol                            the ground/dirt
les limites                    the boundaries
la zone                         the zone
le but de jeu                the end line
les lines                       the lines
le disque                      the disk
le force                        the force

en jou                          disc in
envoyer le disque        to send the disc
lancer long                  to huck
réceptionner                to receive
intercepter                   to intercept
passe arrière                dump
changement                 switch
comptant                     stalling
attraper le disque         to catch the disc
marquer                       to mark
marquer un point         to score
faute                            foul

More rugby than I've ever watched in my life.

So, as a football/soccer kid, I grew up with an irrational dislike for rugby. That, and the fact that our entire country goes entirely insane over All Blacks matches and regional games alike meant that I never really paid much attention to the game.

Being here in France, in one of the big rugby cities, during the Coupe du Monde . . . I had to represent New Zealand, and represent I did.

For the pool games, I watched with my flatmate Luc, or with friends. There were even New Zealand pancakes to be had.

One particular match I watched out of the back of a car before a frisbee tournament. . .

For the final, there was more on the line. I invited a group of friends to come to a local Irish bar with me to watch the game, and return afterwards for food, games, and festivities.

There were half a dozen or so of us watching the game at the bar, and then 20 or so for the celebrations (9:30am being a little early for most on the weekend).

Luc and I went all face painted up . . . 

The bar had about 4 New Zealand supporters and 300 French. It was a little hard to be heard.

For awhile there the French were pretty excited and thinking they were going to be victorious (while I bit my fingernails).

They even sent around a rooster at celebratory moments. Calls of Allez Les Bleus resounded around the bar.

In then end, the whole thing was pretty civil. The French clapped both teams at the end of the game, and I got sprayed with champagne by Georg and Laura. My voice did not return to normal for three days, and I was briefly worried that I'd permanently damaged it.

While I'm not going to be a rugby follower, I feel more able to appreciate it. Since these games I've even gone to the local stadium and watched Montpellier play live. Who knew.

Go the All Blacks!