10/18/2026
When we protect our athletes, we protect Ultimate.
Starting with the pull, ultimate players try to avoid turnovers while showing off their forehands and backhands to score as much as possible. Players leap, sprint, and rely on teamwork to have a player catch the disc in the end zone. Perfect your pancake and crab catches, be mindful of the stall count, and bring your team to an action-packed victory! When we protect our ultimate players, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Ultimate Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Ultimate has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- By the rules, it is a non-contact sport, but ultimate involves two teams chasing a flying disc in the same space, and collisions do happen. That, combined with the frequency of tight turns and change-of-direction movement, and the fact that high-level ultimate involves several games in one day, can lead to physical injury and harm to athletes, potentially leaving them vulnerable to abuse.
- There are no referees in ultimate; instead, players agree to follow the “Spirit of the Game.” Individual teams and clubs are responsible for upholding spirit, and if a team chooses to do nothing about a player who is abusive or otherwise unspirited, there may not be a clear way to resolve the situation.
- The vast majority of organized ultimate involves volunteer work. This means that there can be a lack of consistency in staffing, fields, format, provisions, and standards between each organized ultimate event. This can increase the vulnerability of athletes and the potential for high-risk situations.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
10/14/2026
Details emerge on police raid of ex-Kempsville High School athletic director’s home
10/11/2026
As sports betting is normalized, college players have become targets of aggrieved bettors
10/6/2026
Gresham Man Accused Of Faking His Age To Participate In Youth Sports And Sexually Abusing Children, Faces More Charges
10/1/2026
Ohio State Could Owe Millions More to Prior Strauss Sex-Abuse Plaintiffs
9/30/2026
Burke County high school coach charged with felony sex act with a student
9/30/2026
Longtime Hastings sports figure charged with 13 felonies
Ultimate Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety and Safeguarding within Ultimate.
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Crash Course: Concussion Education
Physical Safety
Learn about the prevention and treatment of concussions.
Dangerous Play and SOTG
Physical Safety
Learn about the impact of 'dangerous play' and injury prevention in ultimate.
Responding to a Sports-related Concussion
Physical Safety
Learn about concussion symptoms, protocol, and prevention in sports.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
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