Recreation Notes : Ultimate Frisbee Takes Flight as Spinoff of Soccer, Football

Richard Gallagher leaps to catch the pass as a teammate runs past him toward the end zone. Gallagher spots the teammate and throws an outlet pass into a crowd of defenders huddled around the goal.

If a defender intercepts the pass it would spoil the scoring drive for Gallagher’s team. If, however, the pass is dropped, Gallagher does not have the option of kicking a field goal.

There is no such thing as a field goal in ultimate Frisbee, a sport that combines the nonstop action of soccer with the passing of football.

In ultimate Frisbee, a seven-man team advances down a 70-yard field by passing. A point is scored when a player catches the Frisbee in the end zone. Teams determine a point ceiling before the game.

Gallagher, 29, of Reseda is captain of the Polo Club, a Valley-based ultimate Frisbee club. The team competes from January through November, when the ultimate Frisbee national championships are held. The Polo Club advanced to the quarterfinals of the Eastern regionals in Philadelphia last week.

Gallagher considers the Polo Club one of the 10 best teams nationwide. He is not involved in the fast-growing sport, however, for the competition.

“There are no referees,” Gallagher said. “The players make all of their own calls. The sport really stresses the spirit of the game and it keeps you in great shape because you’re always running around.”

The Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Department provides playing fields for an ultimate Frisbee league that runs from January through April. The eight-team league is open to the public.

Information: 818-344-4936.

Soccer: Sign-ups for the American Youth Soccer Organization fall soccer league will be held Saturday at Winnetka Park.

Boys and girls aged 5 to 18 can register for $47. Sign-ups run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Information: 818-888-3153.