Throw Run Catch – A Flying Disc Program for Kids

Throw Run Catch (TRC) is a program created by Rob McLeod and Jim Gerencser that introduces the flying disc to kids by teaching the three Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) through games that are fun, active, and progressive.

The three Fundamental Movement Skills with a flying disc are Throw, Run and Catch and are based on the theory and practice of physical literacy which has basis in all sports and movement activities.

Although Rob and Jim starting developing Throw Run Catch in July 2018, the groundwork has been in place for more than forty years and has roots in other sports including football, baseball, and golf.

Disc manufacturer Wham-O ran a similar program for more than twenty years. At its peak the Wham-O program had close to two thousand actively participating schools and culminated in the World Junior Frisbee Championships.

The NFL ran a youth program for more than 50 years called Punt, Pass & Kick which introduced football to hundreds of thousands of kids.

Rob and Jim believe that TRC is a program which any school or organization can use to introduce flying disc to their students and have a lot of fun in the process. Although the first launch of TRC is with the Dallas Roughnecks from the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL) the vision is much larger with the goal to get more kids competing and expanding disc sports worldwide.

If you would like to bring Throw Run Catch to your school, city league, youth group, church group, community camp or any other active program, please contact us!

And we are always looking for TRC leaders to help deliver the program and teach the fundamentals so please contact us if you’d like to be a part of the team!

Throw

Target Throwing: Baskets and Circles

There are several types of targets: a basketball hoop or disc golf basket that kids will aim to hit and circles on the ground made from hula hoops or jump rope where the goal (like horseshoes) is to try and land inside the circle. Collect 5 points for a made basket and 2 points for hitting the backboard/target. For the targets on the ground, landing inside cleanly is 5 points, landing on the line is 2 points. Discs can be rolled or thrown. After ten minutes, switch routines.

LOGISTICS AND OPTIONS FOR TARGET THROWING

• If your class size is large, you can divide the gym in half for this discipline and have both Target Throws (Basketball Hoop/Disc Golf Basket) and “Circles” go at the same time.
• You can also set up different types targets if you have them or hang hula hoops from basket nets.
• To speed up target throw (baskets), kids can form two lines and throw from both the right side and left side of the basketball hoop/disc golf basket.
• Try various distances to maximize success.
• If players are doing well with targets and the typical backhand throw, you can mix it up by implementing different throws: forehands, overheads.
• Keeping score: students should keep track of their own scores.
• Option: Teachers and instructors can decide that a wacky, errant yet entertaining throw and result (example: disc manages to roll out of an open door) is called a X Factor throw and is awarded extra points and celebrated for its uniqueness and improbability.

Run

Battle Royale

Super fun group game with two varieties: elimination and non-elimination. For both versions kids place a disc upside down on their fingertips like a waiter bringing a pizza to your table. Don’t let your pizza flip over and land on the ground! Kids walk/run around gym trying to knock off opponents’ discs with their free hand. When your disc is knocked off you are out, and a circle of eliminated players forms when there are three players remaining who must then “battle” inside the circle. For the non-elimination version, you can get back in the game when your disc is knocked off by sweeping it beneath each of your legs.

LOGISTICS AND OPTIONS FOR BATTLE ROYALE

• Other options of play: One fun option that keeps everyone involved is that when the person who knocked your disc off gets her/his disc dislodged you are then back in the game.
• Keeping track of success: players who survive to the final round of three should be awarded points.
• Try the elimination game 3 times: if you have the time, this game can be played multiple times so you can have multiple winners.

Catch

Speed Catch and Creative Catch

In Speed Catch, kids choose partners and stand 10 feet apart and count the number of consecutive completed catches within 2 minutes. The most famous record for consecutive catches is 521 by Brodie Smith and Marques Brownlee but the current record is 12,345 catches and kids can try to break this record after school. One popular option kids can choose is Creative Catch. Try to complete as many different types of throws and catches in 2 minutes. Make up your own throws, and  your own wacky catches! But they have to be completed passes so be careful.

SPEED CATCH OPTIONS & LOGISTICS

• Have them choose a partner and grab a disc
• Start distance: high five + one step back from each other (get to 10 feet?)
• OPTION Every time they get 5 catches in a row, have them take another step back
• OPTION Every time they have 2 drops in a row, have them take one step forward

CREATIVE CATCH OPTIONS & LOGISTICS

• Have them stay at high five + one step back the entire time. When they catch, have them freeze and they must throw the disc back the same way that they caught it. Ie if they catch with 2 hands, they must throw with 2 hands. If they drop the throw, how they pick it up is how they throw it back.
• Keeping track of completed passes: Kids can attest to how many consecutive completed catches were made or how many different catches were made and teachers can write down the top five numbers/ teams.