The Sport We Call Ultimate:

Spirit of the game is a warm handshake with a new friend after a hard fought game.
Justin Safdie

Ultimate in 10 Simple Rules (From www.upa.org) 

1. The Field -- A rectangular shape with end zones at each end. A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards, with end zones 25 yards deep.
2. Initiate Play -- Each point begins with both teams lining up on the front of their respective end zone line. The defense throws ("pulls") the disc to the offense. A regulation game has seven players per team.
3. Scoring -- Each time the offense completes a pass in the defense's end zone, the offense scores a point. Play is initiated after each score.
4. Movement of the Disc -- The disc may be advanced in any direction by completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the disc. The person with the disc ("thrower") has ten seconds to throw the disc. The defender guarding the thrower ("marker") counts out the stall count.
5. Change of possession -- When a pass in not completed (e.g. out of bounds, drop, block, interception), the defense immediately takes possession of the disc and becomes the offense.
6. Substitutions -- Players not in the game may replace players in the game after a score and during an injury timeout.
7. Non-contact -- No physical contact is allowed between players. Picks and screens are also prohibited. A foul occurs when contact is made.
8. Fouls -- When a player initiates contact on another player a foul occurs. When a foul disrupts possession, the play resumes as if the possession was retained. If the player committing the foul disagrees with the foul call, the play is redone.
9. Self-Refereeing -- Players are responsible for their own foul and line calls. Players resolve their own disputes.
10. Spirit of the Game -- Ultimate stresses sportsmanship and fair play. Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect between players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of play.

The Spirit of the Game: (Excerpts taken from www.upa.org) 

The Spirit of the Game is running after the disc like its the thing you want the most in the entire world, laying out, and making the catch (It's such an awesome feeling). Then, when you think it can't be any better, as you stand up in the end zone, you see not only your team, but your opponents cheering and congratulating you. It's hustling for yourself and your team, not some forty year old high school gym teacher. It's feeling so totally alive during the ladder drill you just want to yell, or when you lay out or make a big D. It's calling a foul on yourself. It's playing at the highest level your capable. It's helping new players keep their forehands from flopping over. And It's definitely a Beautiful Thing.

Spirit of the game is a teammate telling me I landed out of bounds.
Spirit of the game is an opponent's helping hand off of the ground.
Spirit of the game is respect for everyone who plays.
Spirit of the game is congratulating impressive lays.
Spirit of the game is coming up with awesome cheers.
Spirit of the game is knowing that all age groups are peers.
Spirit of the game is never assigning any blame.

Skill building:

Ultimate is not the easiest sport to excel at, but it is quite easy to learn the basics and have fun.  The basics include throwing: forehand, backhand, and various other trick throws.  Along with throwing comes catching.  Along with throwing are the basics for offense and defense.  On offense it is important to be able to make a good cut and get open, and on defense you want to mark the offensive player strong when he/she has the disc, to make it easier on your teammates and make it difficult for a good throw to be made.  You can employ the basic marking, or more advanced techniques.  When your man does not have the disc you will want to be playing strong team defense.  The different strategies include playing basic player to player*, advanced player to player*, and zone.  Their are several different positions in the zone you might play.

*Referred to as "man to man"

To visit other sites about the skills and drills of ultimate visit www.upa.org, go under "Ultimate" and select "Skills and Drills"