The Art of War and Ultimate Strategy
Some of the happiest people that I know are able to take the lessons that they learn on the ultimate field and transfer them to the rest of their lives. Such maxims as "recognize the flow"; "anticipation is easier than being faster"; "relax" and "respect your opponent and play with spirit" are just as applicable off the field as on it. This kind of transference is the same thing that makes great lacrosse and rugby players great ultimate players. Almost any wisdom or skill can be transferred into any other aspect of human endeavor if there is a willingness to see the meaning behind the words and actions.
Much can be learned about how ultimate is played by looking at other, older sources. For example, one of the oldest works of strategy is Sun Tzu's The Art of War. For 2400 years people all over the world have been using the wisdom of this seminal work to perform better in all aspects of their lives. We can look to this book for a bit of wisdom on how to play better ultimate-and by inference, do anything better or more easily than we already are.
The book is a series of maxims by Sun Tzu, followed by commentary by his generals and other scholars of strategy. Divided into chapters, each dealing with a different aspect of war, we can find in each chapter a wealth of relevant information on playing ultimate.
The first chapter, Laying Plans, should by its very name remind the wise player that the outcome of a game lies not solely on the field, but in the preparations that lead you there. While Sun Tzu describes how the successful general will plan meticulously, he also says, "While heeding the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans." Nothing in ultimate can be defended without offering another avenue-take what the opponent offers. Sun Tzu also makes much of deception. So too, should the ultimate player. Any throw can be made if your deceptions fool your marker, any cut will succeed if your opponent defends your fakes. In the latest World Ultimate magazine Jim Parinella has some excellent advice on how these things might be accomplished.
Waging War is the second chapter, filled with many useful tips on playing ultimate, especially in tournaments, cleverly disguised as a detailed discussion of the managing of an army is the Eastern Zhou dynasty in China. Still, there is much that can be directly applied to the field of play, such as this pearl of wisdom. "[T]hough we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays." On most any field you'll hear players advising each other to "be chilly", but just as damaging as haste to a safe and enjoyable game is standing on the line for ten minutes waiting for people to count to seven.
The chapters continue: Attack By Stratagem, Tactical Dispositions, Energy, Weak Points and Strong, Maneuvering, Variation in Tactics, Army On The March, Terrain and so on. In each you can find outstanding tips on playing ultimate or engaging in any social venture. Some of the more useful and immediately applicable to ultimate are:
"Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted." This is especially relevant, as a team that has stretched and gotten warm will be stronger on the field and at the party than those to adhere to ultimate time and try to play cold."
"The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does 
not require too much from individuals." A description of zone defense over two thousand years before injection molding."
"Thus one who is skillful at keeping the enemy on the move maintains deceitful appearances, according to which the enemy will act."
"If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."
One of the finest things about ultimate is that it is not war-you can play it fiercely and still honour and respect your opponent, and walk off the field as friends. Still, like war, the lessons learned on the field should be remembered, and that experience used in the rest of your life's efforts. Like anything, if you do not think about what you are doing, you will not improve at your task. Mindless practice makes for mindless play.
Post Script: Lionel Giles translated the text used in researching this article. My Mandarin is terrible, useful only in addressing Confucian emperors and toasting. The Art of War is freely available on the web in several translations and the original Mandarin, with extensive commentary. For those interested in other oriental works on strategy, I recommend Go Rin No Sho, or The Book of Five Rings, by Miyamoto Musashi.
Reprinted with permission from the Pie Plate, the Toronto Ultimate Club newsletter.