Ethan

How to Make (and Play) the Frisbee Cup Game

July 3, 2012 | by Ethan (email) |

Many of you know I have a love for Ultimate Frisbee and most other frisbee games. A while back I made a Kan-Jam-esque game (which I called BaHa). It was a fun project but not very cost-effective. The materials alone put you over the cost of purchasing the game, and it came with a cheap-o frisbee too. It was with that in mind that I set out to make another frisbee game. A buddy had a party recently, and we played a game similar to Polish Horseshoes. I’ve decided to call this new game Frisbee Cup Game (because I’m not sure if it even has a name), and here’s how I made a set for cheaper than you can buy it at Walmart.

Materials

  • 2 x 4″ x 8′ – If you have scrap pieces of 2×4 lying around, it’s perfect for this project.
  • (4) 72″ Orange Reflective Markers – These are what you’ll see stuck in the ground for snow plows, and I picked up four of ’em at HD for $2.68 a piece.
  • (8) 2″ screws
  • (4) Plastic (Solo) cups

Tools

  • Drill/driver
  • Saw (miter, circular, or something similar)
  • Grinder
  • Speed square

Step 1: Build the Base

The base helps support the flexible, orange markers and ensures they are spread apart the correct distance. It’s a simple H-shape with butt joints (nothing fancy needed here). If you’re using scrap, make sure to cut off the end for a nice square edge. Cut two cross member at 15″ and four sides at 10″.

Step 2: Screw it Together

Find the center of the sides and put two screw into the cross member on each side.

Step 3: Drill Holes

Using a 1/2″ spade bit, drill holes through the cross member at 2-1/2″ in from each side. Try to drill straight through.

Step 4: Cut the Reflective Markers

72″ is a bit tall for this game so I cut the orange markers down to 60″. The problem becomes that now they don’t have the nice, pointy end anymore. To recreate that, I loaded the marker into my drill (as if it were a really long drill bit). Next, I got the bench top grinder going, and, while spinning the marker with the drill, reshaped the end into a blunt point.

How to Play

That’s it for building the goals. Now here’s how to play.

Setup the goals about 15 yards apart, and push the orange markers into the ground (keeping them parallel). Place a cup on the top of each marker. Next, grab two frisbees, and create two teams of 2 people.

Frisbee

Teams take turns throwing the frisbee at the opponent’s goal. If you hit one of the cups off and it lands on the ground, you’re team gets one point. If you hit the cup off and the opponents team catches the cup, you don’t get any points. If you throw the frisbee between the two markers (without touching anything), then you get two points. Play to 11 (or whatever you want to).

16 Responses
  1. Heh, I never heard of this & it does sound like fun. You might consider using a one liter plastic bottle or ratchet up the difficulty by saying they have to catch the solo cup without crushing it.

    Here’s to a great 4th

    • Ethan says:

      Hey Sean,
      Hope you had a good 4th too. The game was a big hit, and for anyone following us on Facebook, you can see some pictures of us playing.

  2. Icarus says:

    Nice. Would it be alright to leave the markers at 72″, especially if you didn’t have a bench grinder?

    • Ethan says:

      Leave the markers at whatever height you prefer. It’s probably just a little easier to catch the cups when they’re up higher.

  3. Fun little DIY project. How about one for the golf-balls-on-a-rope game?

  4. blynn says:

    Ahh, cups! Awesome. I haven’t played in ages. Ethan, you should be playing summer league or something. Jeremy is on a “UMBC alums” team this year and its got several generations of players, people I never played with older than me and younger.

    • Ethan says:

      Maybe I’ll check out the summer league. It’s just so tough to carve out a set time every week for it. I saw Woody is getting into a Kan-Jam league, but I think registration just closed for teams.

  5. I love this!! Great project, great idea for a game. Have fun camping. 🙂

  6. Ashley says:

    This sounds so fun! My husband loves frisbee so this would be a blast! 🙂

    • Ethan says:

      It’s a great game, especially for parties. If you end up making a set, send in pictures and I’ll add ’em to the post.

  7. NicF says:

    Looks like a fun little game – might have to give this one a try

  8. JustME says:

    Sounds like a fun game for those that love Frisbee, but that wouldn’t be me. Granted I would love to love Frisbee, but I’ve never acquired the knack of tossing those discs. Sad I know. I just can’t figure out when to let go of them! However my husband and son would love it, so thanks for the idea.

  9. HANDYMAN51 says:

    Great idea for an anniversary gift for my wife. Want to followup with first aid for eyes punctures?

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