Schtick is a competitive, non-contact sport that makes use of two flying discs (or Frisbees), and is somewhat similar to Ultimate Frisbee. The game is played by two teams on a rectangular field with a middle line dividing the field in half. Scoring boxes (approximately one meter square) are located near the back of each half. Scoring occurs after a team successfully lands a disc in its opponents scoring box.
Unlike Ultimate Frisbee, players are allowed to run with the disc. However, if touched by an opponent while standing in the opponent's half of the playing field, a player must turn over the disc to the opposing team. Any time a disc hits the ground, it becomes the possession of the team whose side of the field it landed on. Discs landing out of bounds belong to the team that didn't touch the disc last.
It is forbidden for players from either team to enter the scoring boxes or infringe on the air space above them. Scoring only occurs when a disc lands and remains in the scoring box; discs that roll out score no points.
The game is known for its relaxed and friendly style of play. It is often played on sand. Many who have played it have found its use of 2 or more playing objects simultaneously to add a strategic, exciting, and mentally stimulating dimension. Since there are such a high ratio of playing objects to players, and since operations of the game are more foregiving than most sports, many who have played schtick believe it to be more fun and accessible to players of varied abilities. Contrast this to e.g. touch football, in which the lone ball is hard to catch and throw, and failure to catch it means end of play.
Schtick was invented in 1994 and first played at Assateague Island, Maryland, USA. It has since grown to be played throughout the United States and in Australia as well. The last several Longest Day tournaments in Australia have featured a Schtick competition.
The official rules, common variations, and history of Schtick are chronicled at the official website, schtickdisc.org (maintained by the game's creator, David Donohue).
