Ultimate Frisbee

Overview.

Coaching ultimate frisbee for elementary, middle, and high school students in the South End of Seattle has been a defining leadership experience for me. This role required me to mentor young athletes, create inclusive team environments, and develop structured training programs. I worked to instill teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship in my players while adapting coaching strategies to different age groups and skill levels. This experience strengthened my leadership ability by teaching me how to guide diverse teams, manage group dynamics, and foster a sense of community through sports.

Personal Importance of Work.

Being an ultimate player myself for 9 years, the sport has given me so much in terms of leadership development and community. When I graduated high school and began my college career, I wanted to provide youth with the same ultimate experiences I had growing up. Coaching ultimate frisbee has reinforced my belief in the power of leadership to uplift and inspire others. Working with students from various backgrounds, I recognized the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all players felt valued. My role as a mentor allowed me to instill confidence in young athletes, demonstrating that leadership is about more than just strategy—it’s about empowerment. This experience has shaped my long-term commitment to mentorship, equity, and community development through leadership.

Tasks Accomplished.

• Designed and implemented practice plans that balanced skill development, teamwork, and game strategy.

• Fostered an inclusive and supportive environment for players of diverse backgrounds and experience levels.

• Developed strong communication strategies to effectively engage with players, parents, and school administrators.

• Mediated conflicts among players, ensuring a positive and growth-focused team culture.

• Led team meetings and reflections, helping players build self-awareness and leadership skills.

• Organized tournaments and coordinated logistics, ensuring successful participation in competitions.

• Provided individualized mentorship, helping players set and achieve personal development goals.

Leadership Competencies Gained.

Inclusion.

A core aspect of coaching was creating an inclusive environment where every player felt welcome and valued. I actively worked to ensure that team culture emphasized respect and collaboration, regardless of skill level or background. One way I fostered inclusivity was by simply talking to my players. Talking to players and getting to know them can be a great way to make them feel included. This was especially important in ultimate because players are often shy or anxious at first for a variety of reasons such as difference in skill levels, friendships, and athletic abilities. I also adapted my coaching methods to accommodate different learning styles, ensuring that every player had an opportunity to thrive. This experience deepened my understanding of how inclusive leadership strengthens team dynamics and enhances overall performance.

Verbal Communication.

Effective verbal communication was essential in coaching, from giving clear instructions during drills to motivating players before games. I learned how to adjust my communication style based on the audience—using direct and structured guidance for younger players while engaging older students in more strategic discussions. One key takeaway was the importance of active listening. By attentively addressing players’ questions, comments, and concerns, I built trust and created an open dialogue within any team I coached which brought transparency and trust between my players and myself. This experience reinforced that strong leadership relies on the ability to communicate with clarity, encouragement, and purpose. 

Vision.

As a coach, I had to provide a clear vision for my team’s development and success. I set long-term goals that went beyond winning games—emphasizing personal growth, teamwork, and leadership development. One activity that I did with my players at the later stages of my coaching career was using the first practice of the season as an opportunity to set goals, create intrinsic motivation, and build team chemistry through common ground. By outlining a roadmap for skill improvement and team cohesion, I helped players see the bigger picture of their progress. This experience taught me that great leadership involves inspiring others to work toward a shared goal with confidence and purpose.

Power Dynamics.

Managing a team required an awareness of power dynamics and the ability to create a balanced and respectful environment. I recognized that as a coach, my authority needed to be exercised with fairness and encouragement rather than control. I encouraged leadership among players by allowing team captains to facilitate drills and discussions, ensuring that power was distributed in a way that empowered everyone. Additionally, I mediated conflicts with an emphasis on fairness, ensuring all players felt heard and valued. One instance that I observed was when a coach and player had a disagreement on a strategic implementation. The coach, understanding the position they're in, had a respectful discussion on why they disagreed, allowing the student to voice their opinions which led to a resolve. This experience reinforced the importance of ethical leadership and fostering an environment where leadership is shared.

Group Development.

One of my key responsibilities was guiding my team through different stages of group development, from forming to performing. Early in the season, I focused on building relationships and trust among players such as when I entrusted certain players to make play-calls, to teach a drill, or ask/answer questions about strategic concepts. This was important on both the individual and group level. With individuals, I often didn't change much as that was basically mentorship. But with groups, I modified how I would measure progression and focused more on raising the foundational level of the team rather than growing the top-end as much as possible. This ensured that the team was a wider-built group rather than a taller, but unstable group. By understanding how teams evolve over time, I learned to adjust my leadership style to meet the needs of my players, ensuring they grew individually and as a collective unit.

Facilitation.

Facilitating engaging and productive practices required strong leadership skills. I designed drills that encouraged active participation and ensured that each session had a clear objective. Whether it was crafting practice plans, game plans against other teams, or setting up a system for consistent feedback, I was able to lead better because of taking the time to plan and facilitate properly. Beyond the field, I assisted in team discussions to reflect on games, helping players articulate their strengths and areas for growth. I also facilitated conversations about sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork within the coaching staff, reinforcing the values that extended beyond ultimate frisbee and into life. This experience taught me that great leadership is about guiding a group in a way that promotes collaboration, self-improvement, and shared success.

Future Oriented Statement.

Coaching ultimate frisbee has been one of the most impactful leadership experiences of my life. It has taught me the value of inclusive leadership, clear communication, and vision-driven mentorship. Moving forward, I plan to apply these leadership competencies in future coaching roles, professional environments, and community initiatives. Whether in the workplace or in mentorship settings, I aim to continue fostering team growth, advocating for inclusivity, and inspiring others to reach their full potential. This experience has solidified my commitment to leadership that empowers and uplifts, shaping my approach to future endeavors.

Artifact.

One of my most memorable achievements during my ultimate coaching time was winning the 2022 Spring Reign Youth Tournament, one of the biggest youth frisbee tournaments in the state, with the Franklin JV co-ed team along with my two co-coaches, Ari and Jackie. It was one of the most fun times I had coaching a youth team and I learned so much in terms of leadership and facilitation. I can confidently accredit this experience as being an important stepping stone in the development of my leadership today. While the physical plaque that we won is a great award for the program and is a constant reminder for the effort everyone put in, the actual team itself is the main reason I decided to stick around and continue coaching. Seeing young kids excel in ultimate frisbee is a great thing, and I feel as if I'm doing my part to give back to the community to make more of those experiences for the youth, as I once had when I was their age.