One disc is not enough.
Sure, the Discraft UltraStar is the official disc of USA Ultimate. It is what you will throw in tournaments, in leagues, in pickup games around the world. But if you only practice with an UltraStar, you are missing out on training tools that can accelerate your development faster than anything else.
Think about it this way. A guitarist does not just play one guitar. A chef does not just use one knife. A painter does not just work with one brush. Each tool teaches something different, builds different muscles, develops different instincts.
The same is true for discs. If you read Book 1, you already know about the Soft UltraStar and the Dodgebee. This chapter goes deeper into the full arsenal and introduces discs that Book 1 did not cover.
The Soft Revolution
In May 2025, Discraft released something that changed the game forever: the Soft UltraStar.
I do not say this lightly: every kid in the whole world should have one.
It is the same size and same weight as the standard UltraStar, 175 grams, regulation diameter, but made from a flexible, rubbery material instead of hard plastic. Everything about it feels the same, the grip, the flight, the spin, but without any of the pain or fear.
Why the Soft UltraStar changes everything:
- Does not hurt to catch — even hard throws are comfortable, no more stinging fingers
- Safe if it hits someone — miss a catch and get hit in the face? Not a big deal, nobody is crying
- Quiet when it lands — play indoors in a gym without the clack of hard plastic echoing everywhere
- Will not scuff on pavement — this is huge, because you can practice skip throws on concrete without destroying the disc
That last point is my favorite training technique. With a hard disc, nobody practices throwing at pavement because it puts divots and scratches in the plastic. But with the Soft UltraStar? I teach kids to throw the flick or backhand by throwing it directly at the ground and making it skip. They can throw as hard as they want without any consequences. No scuffed disc, no broken windows, no hurt bystanders.
The Soft UltraStar handles wind almost identically to the hard version. You are training with a regulation weight, regulation size disc, which means everything you learn transfers directly to tournament play.
Start kids that are 3rd grade and up with this disc.
What the Pros Say About the Soft UltraStar
Here is something fascinating I discovered while interviewing elite players for this book: most of them had never heard of the Soft UltraStar.
Ben Jagt, 2x AUDL MVP: When I interviewed Ben, one of the best players in the world, he had never tried a Soft UltraStar. A two time league MVP, World Games gold medalist, and one of the most dominant players in professional Ultimate history, and he did not know this disc existed. I bought him one after our interview and sent it to him. If elite pros do not know about these discs, imagine how many beginners are missing out.
Brent Steepe, Detroit Mechanix founder and professional athletic trainer: Brent trains professional athletes across multiple sports, including many UFA players. When I asked him about training discs, he said: "I love the soft disc. Same size, translates better. I would rather have softer material, actual size." His point is critical. The J Star is smaller and lighter than a regulation disc. Training on it is like learning to hit with a softball and then expecting to hit a baseball. But the Soft UltraStar is the same size and weight as the competition disc. You build proper muscle memory from day one.
Khalif El-Salaam, 6x World Champion: Khalif coaches college players and runs youth clinics in Seattle. When I asked about the Soft UltraStar, he was not familiar with it. Even world champions who actively coach youth players do not know this tool exists. That tells me this disc needs more visibility, and I hope this book helps spread the word.
David Raflo, USA Ultimate Events Manager: David knows discs. He owns over 600 discs collected over 30+ years. He oversees disc standards for USA Ultimate. When I asked about soft discs, he was clear: they are "much more welcoming for kids." He also noted that the J Star is now made exclusively in the softer plastic, showing Discraft's commitment to safer training tools for youth players.
Jim Pistrang, Ultimate pioneer and 30 year middle school coach: Jim has been coaching middle school Ultimate since 1994. He was familiar with the softer disc materials and understands their value for youth development. His philosophy of "fun and hard work together" aligns perfectly with training tools that remove fear and pain from the learning process.
The Real Game Standard
Since 1991, the Discraft UltraStar has been the official disc of USA Ultimate. It is what you will throw in every sanctioned tournament. It is what the pros use. It is what every serious player needs to master.
The UltraStar set the standard for quality, consistency, and performance. Its contoured grip and aerodynamic engineering make it fly farther and straighter than any other Ultimate disc on the market. There is a reason it has been the standard for over three decades.
Every UltraStar flies the same, no surprises. It shows you exactly what your throws are doing, including your mistakes. That true feedback is what makes you better. And it handles wind better than most discs, which matters when tournament weather turns nasty.
The UltraStar comes in plain colors for around $13 to $14, or in SuperColor designs with beautiful full color prints for $15 to $17. It is also available in "Nite Glo" which glows in the dark after being exposed to light, great for evening play.
The Youth Option: The J Star
The J Star (pronounced "Jay Star") is the official youth disc of USA Ultimate, designed specifically for players ages 12 and under. It is like the UltraStar's little brother, same great flight characteristics, just smaller and lighter.
At 145 grams instead of 175, that 30 gram difference means easier throws for developing arms. The smaller diameter fits better in smaller hands. And the J Star is now made from the same flexible material as the Soft UltraStar, so it is gentler on young hands and easier to grip.
The lighter weight means wind affects it more than full size discs, but for calm days or indoor play, it is perfect for young players building their fundamentals.
The Fun Factor: Beamo and Dodgebee
The Beamo: If you are introducing a young child to disc sports, start here. The Beamo is a huge flying ring, soft foam covered in spandex, about the size of your entire chest. It is the only disc that bounces. Off walls. Off the ground. Off people. And it has no rim to worry about. Kids can catch it by grabbing the edge or by sticking their arm through the hole in the middle.
It comes in different sizes: 16 inches (Mini), 20 inches (Junior), or 30 inches (Giant). It is incredibly easy to catch because of the huge size, and completely safe because of the soft foam construction. It creates unique games that other discs simply cannot.
The downside: the Beamo is so light that wind will take it like a sail. Best for calm days or indoor play.
The Dodgebee: Made by Hero Disc, the Dodgebee is a super soft disc made of foam covered in nylon fabric. Soft enough that you can throw it at someone's face and they will laugh instead of cry. The name says it all. You can play dodgeball with it.
It weighs only 65 to 93 grams and has about the same diameter as an UltraStar. It is perfect for one handed catching practice. I can throw it super high and practice jumping and catching with one hand without killing my fingers. It is great for air bounce practice on playgrounds. And if it hits anybody in a crowd, nobody cares. You can even throw it in the washing machine when it gets dirty.
Same downside as the Beamo: very light, so wind will take it. Best for calm days or indoor play.
The Ring Options
For kids: The Beamo (covered above). Perfect for young kids. It bounces, it is huge, it is soft, and it creates games that no other disc can match.
For advanced players: The Aerobie Pro Ring. The Aerobie holds the Guinness World Record for the farthest throw of any object: an absolutely insane 1,333 feet (406 meters). That is over four football fields.
These thin rings fly incredibly far because of their aerodynamic design. The open center allows for personalized throwing and catching styles. Grab the edge with your hand, or catch it with your arm or foot through the middle.
Fair warning: Aerobies can really hurt. The edges are thin and firm, and when the ring is flying fast, catching it requires quick hands and courage. This is not a disc for kids. But for advanced players, they show you what maximum flight looks like. Throwing far builds throwing power. And there is something magical about watching it fly forever.
You need a giant field for Aerobies. A soccer field. A beach. Open parkland. If you do not have massive space, do not bother. The ring will just fly away.
Specialty Discs
LED and glow discs: Want to play Ultimate after dark? You need a disc that glows. There are two main options:
- LED discs — actual LEDs built in, powered by batteries (usually rechargeable via USB). Brands like TOSY, Nite Ize Flashflight, and USA Toyz make excellent options. Some have multiple color modes, can last 15+ hours on a charge, and are even waterproof. Prices run $15 to $35.
- Glow in the dark discs — Discraft makes a "Nite Glo" version of the UltraStar that absorbs light and glows green in the dark. Simpler than LEDs, just expose it to bright light before playing. Around $15.
Dog discs: Dog discs are not just for dogs. The soft, durable designs make them excellent for beach play, casual catch, and situations where you want something tough but not painful. My favorites are the ones with a rope handle built in. The rope gives you something to grab, and the soft cloth top plate makes catching comfortable. They handle sand, water, and sun without problems. Search "dog disc with rope" on Amazon for around $8 to $15.
Cross Training Tools: Disc Golf Discs
Disc golf discs are smaller, heavier, and fly completely differently than Ultimate discs. But they are fantastic cross training tools that teach important lessons about release angles and flight physics.
- The Driver — sharp edge, designed for maximum distance. When thrown with power, it can fly across an entire football field. Drivers are designed to fade at the end of their flight, curving predictably as they lose speed.
- The Putter — blunter edge, designed for control and accuracy. Flies slower, floats more, easier to control for short distances. Teaches touch and finesse.
These discs typically weigh 150 to 180 grams with a diameter around 8.5 inches, smaller than Ultimate discs. Major manufacturers include Innova, Discraft, Dynamic Discs, and MVP. Expect to pay $10 to $20 per disc.
They are hard and fast, so keep them away from crowds. But for learning how different disc shapes affect flight, they are incredible teachers.
The Perfect Progression
Here is the progression I recommend if you are starting from scratch or teaching your kids:
Level 1: Beamo (for young kids). Start here. Build confidence with bouncing, catching with your whole body, and learning that discs are fun. The huge size and soft foam remove all fear.
Level 2: Dodgebee. Add this for variety and fearless throwing. Play tag, play dodgeball. Practice high catches without worrying about stinging fingers.
Level 3: J Star (for kids under 12) or Soft UltraStar (for older players). For young kids, transition to the J Star to learn proper throwing form with a lighter disc. For older beginners, jump straight to the Soft UltraStar to build tournament ready muscle memory.
Level 4: Soft UltraStar. If you started on J Star, graduate to full size with the Soft UltraStar. Practice skip throws, indoor throws, everything without fear. Build regulation weight and size muscle memory.
Level 5: Standard UltraStar. The real deal. Tournament ready. By now you have built all the fundamentals with softer discs. The transition is seamless.
Level 6: Aerobie Ring. After mastering the UltraStar, try an Aerobie. See how far you can throw it across a football field. Build arm strength and understand maximum flight.
Level 7: Disc Golf Discs. Learn how drivers fade at the end of flight. Feel how putters float and fly differently. Build touch, finesse, and understanding of flight physics.
This progression takes a beginner from fearful to tournament ready while building proper mechanics at every step.
Quick Reference: Disc Arsenal
- Beamo — Very light (~100g), ~$15 to $25
- Dodgebee — 65 to 93 grams, ~$10 to $15
- Soft UltraStar — 175 grams, ~$13 to $15
- UltraStar (hard) — 175 grams, ~$13 to $17
- J Star — 145 grams, ~$10 to $13
- LED Discs — 175 to 190 grams, ~$15 to $35
- Dog Discs — Varies, ~$8 to $15
- Aerobie Pro Ring — Varies, ~$12 to $15
- Disc Golf Driver — 150 to 180 grams, ~$10 to $20
- Disc Golf Putter — 150 to 180 grams, ~$10 to $20
The Overall Recommendation
If you only buy one disc for a young child, make it the Beamo. For everyone else, make it the Soft UltraStar.
The Beamo is perfect for young kids because it bounces (which no other disc does), it is huge and impossible to miss, it has no rim to hurt little hands, and it creates games that build confidence and joy.
The Soft UltraStar is perfect for everyone else because it is tournament weight and size so you are training with the real thing, it does not hurt when caught so beginners build confidence instead of fear, you can practice skip throws on concrete without destroying the disc, and you can play indoors without the noise and danger of hard plastic. When you eventually switch to the hard UltraStar, the transition is seamless.
David Raflo has over 600 discs in his collection. He has handled everything from the original Wham O Pluto Platters to modern championship discs. He organized museum exhibits showcasing 50 years of disc evolution. He oversees disc standards for the national governing body. And when I asked him about soft discs for beginners and youth players, his answer was clear: "Much more welcoming for kids."
That is the endorsement that matters.
Wrap Up
◆ The Beamo is the perfect first disc for young kids. It bounces, it is huge, it is soft, and it removes all fear.
◆ The Soft UltraStar is the most revolutionary training disc ever created. Same size and weight as the tournament disc, but safe and forgiving.
◆ Most elite players do not know about the Soft UltraStar yet. You have insider knowledge they are just discovering.
◆ The progression from Beamo to Dodgebee to Soft UltraStar to hard UltraStar builds fearless, technically sound players.
◆ Specialty discs like LED discs and dog discs add variety for night play and beach fun.
◆ Cross training with Aerobies and disc golf discs teaches lessons about distance and flight physics that Ultimate discs cannot.
◆ David Raflo, with 600+ discs and 30+ years in the sport, confirms soft discs are "much more welcoming for kids."
Mentor's Closing
David Raflo spent 2018 traveling the country with boxes of discs, setting up museum exhibits for the 50th anniversary of Ultimate Frisbee. He showed original pie tins from the Frisbie Pie Company. He displayed Fred Morrison's early flying saucers. He laid out championship discs from every decade.
And you know what the most important evolution has been? Not the aerodynamics or the plastic formulations or the manufacturing precision.
It has been making discs that do not hurt.
Because every kid who gets scared off by a stinging catch is a kid who might never come back. Every beginner who flinches instead of reaching is a beginner who might quit before they discover the magic.
The Beamo, the Soft UltraStar, the J Star, the Dodgebee. These are not just training tools. They are invitations. They say: "Come play. Do not be afraid. This is fun."
Build your arsenal. Start soft. Start with bounce. Graduate to tournament ready. Cross train with distance discs and disc golf. Each disc teaches a lesson the others cannot.
And when you are ready, when you have built the confidence and the skills and the love for this sport, you will step onto the tournament field with a hard UltraStar in your hands. And you will not flinch. You will reach. You will catch. You will throw.
Because the soft discs taught you how. :)