UPA Rules of Ultimate, Ninth Edition

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

UPA Rules of Ultimate, Ninth Edition

Incorporating 1991, 1992, and 1995 Clarifications and Amendments

Online version of 4 Mar 1996

Netscape required for proper section numbering

No set of rules can replace player's respect for one another and for
good spirit.

About this Document

This document reflects the current rules of Ultimate. Passages whose
meaning has changed over the years are marked with a link indicating
the year of the change, as in ``[1992]''. Follow the link to see
the wording of the change, the prior wording, and additional
commentary that explains the rationale of the change (when available).

Thanks to Eric Simon, Kathy Pufahl, Scott Gurst, Frank Revi, Mark
Licata, Scott Gurst, Troy Frever, and Juha Jalovaara for compiling
the amendments and changes.

Originally posted by Eric Simon, <70540.1522@CompuServe.COM>, 10
Jun 1991.

Subsequently edited and re-formatted by Joseph A. Barcio II,
<barcio@kingarthur.jsc.nasa.gov>. This included addition of the
1991 Amendments and Changes after Section XIV.

Complete 1991 Amendments and Changes added by George Ferguson,
<ferguson@cs.rochester.edu>. 1992 Amendments and Changes added
by George Ferguson with the help of Troy Frever,
<troy@buck.cqs.washington.edu>.

HTML version by George Ferguson, 3 Dec 1993.

1995 Clarifications and Amendments by Eric Simon. Added to HTML
document by George Ferguson, 8-11 Sep 1995. Contributions by Hilarie
Orman <ho@cs.arizona.edu>, 18 Sep 1995.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Preface

The purpose of the rules of Ultimate is to provide a guideline which
describes the way the game is played. It assumed that no Ultimate
player will intentionally violate the rules; thus there are no harsh
penalties for inadvertent infractions, but rather a method for
resuming play in a manner which simulates what would most likely have
occurred had there been no infraction.

In Ultimate, an intentional foul would be considered cheating and a
gross offense against the spirit of sportsmanship. Often a player is
in a position where it is clearly to the player's advantage to foul or
commit some violation, but that player is morally bound to abide by
the rules. The integrity of Ultimate depends on each player's
responsibility to uphold the spirit of the game, and this
responsibility should not be taken lightly.

[Back to Table of Contents]

I. Introduction

Description
Ultimate is a non-contact sport played by two seven player
teams. The object of the game is to score goals. The disc may only
be moved by passing as the thrower is not allowed to take any steps.
Any time a pass is incomplete, intercepted, knocked-down, or contacts
an out-of-bounds area, a turnover occurs, resulting in an immediate
change of possession of the disc. A goal is scored when a player
successfully passes the disc to a teammate in the endzone which that
team is attacking.
Spirit of the Game
Ultimate has traditionally relied upon a spirit of sportsmanship
which places the responsibility for fair play on the player. Highly
competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of the bond
of mutual respect between players, adherence to the agreed upon rules
of the game, or the basic joy of play. Protection of these vital
elements serves to eliminate adverse conduct from the Ultimate field.
Such actions as taunting of opposing players, dangerous aggression,
intentional fouling, or other "win-at-all-costs" behavior are
contrary to the spirit of the game and must be avoided by all
players.
Captain's Clause
A game may be played under any variations of the rules agreed
upon by the captains of the two teams. In tournament play, such
variations are subject to the approval of the tournament director.
Such things as length of game, dimensions of the field, and stalling
count can easily be altered to suit the level of play.

[Back to Table of Contents]

II. Clarifying Statements
1. Phrases:
  1. A player is any of the fourteen (14)
    persons who are actually participating in the game at any one time.
  2. To put the disc into play means that
    the thrower establishes a pivot foot and is ready to throw. To put
    the disc into play at a particular point on the field means to
    place the pivot foot at that point on the field.
    [1992]
  3. Where the disc stops refers to the
    location where the disc is caught, comes to rest naturally, or
    where it is stopped from rolling or sliding.
  4. Throw-off position is the particular
    arrangement of positions (which end zone each team is defending)
    and possession (which team is to throw-off) in effect before a
    throw-off.
    [1992]
  5. Ground Contact: All player contact
    with the ground directly related to a specific event or maneuver,
    including landing or recovery after being off-balance, e.g.,
    jumping, diving, leaning, or falling.
    [1995]
  6. Possession of the disc: Sustained
    contact with, and control of, the non-spinning disc.
    [1995]
    1. To catch a pass is equivalent to
      establishing possession of that pass.
    2. Loss of control due to ground contact
      related to a pass reception negates that receiver's possession up
      to that point.
2. There are no scrimmage lines or off-sides
  (except on throw-offs) in Ultimate.
3. The disc may be passed in any direction.
4. A rolling or sliding disc may be stopped by any
  player, but it may not be purposefully advanced in any direction.
  Possession is gained where the disc stops.
5. No defensive player may ever pick up the disc.
[Back to Table of Contents]

III. Field of Play
1. The field of play is a rectangular
  area with dimensions as shown on the accompanying diagram.
```
   +-------+---------------+---------------+-------+
 ^                                          
                                           
   Endzone        Playing Field          Endzone
40yds /Goal  .          Proper           .  /Goal
    Area                                   Area
                                                   
 v                                          
   +-------+---------------+---------------+-------+
   <-25yds-><------------70yds------------><-25yds->
      
```
  The period (.) marks the Brick Rule Mark, 10 yds from Goal line.
  The plus sign (+) indicates the location of cones to be placed
  ON the boundary lines.
  
  A variation of this basic structure may be used to accomodate
  special competitions, number of players, age of players, available
  space, etc. Lined fields are not necessary for the purposes of
  practice or other non-formal games of Ultimate.
2. The playing field may have any surface
  (although well trimmed grass is suggested) which is essentially
  flat, free of obstructions and holes, and affords reasonable player
  safety.
3. The playing field proper is the playing
  field excluding the endzones.
4. The goal lines are the lines which
  separate the playing field proper from the endzones and are part of
  the playing field proper.
5. The perimeter lines (sidelines and
  endlines) are not part of the playing fields.
6. <>The corners of the playing field proper
  and the endzones are marked by cones made of a brightly colored,
  flexible material.
7. An additional restraining line is
  established five (5) meters away from the entire field to ensure
  that the sidelines remain clear during play.
8. All lines are marked with a non-caustic
  material and are between two and four inches wide (2"-4").
  
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  IV. Equipment
  1. Any flying disc may be used as long as it is
    acceptable to both team captains. If the captains cannot agree, the
    current Official Disc of the Ultimate Players Association shall be
    used.
  2. Individual players may wear any soft
    protective clothing as long as it does not endanger the safety of
    any other player.
  3. Cleats which have any metal exposed are not
    allowed.
  4. Each player must wear a uniform or other
    clothing that distinguishes that player from the players on the
    other team.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  V. Length of Game
  1. Time
    1. Each half lasts for twenty-four (24)
      minutes of stopped time.
    2. Each overtime period lasts for five (5)
      minutes of stopped time.
    3. The clock starts when:
      1. An offensive player gains possession of
        a throw-off and establishes a pivot foot;
      2. The marker touches the disc after a
        check;
      3. The thrower puts the
        disc into play after it has been out of bounds.
    4. The clock stops:
      1. After a goal;
      2. At the end of a period of play;
      3. For time-outs;
      4. For injuries;
      5. For fouls and
        violations;
      6. When the disc contacts an
        out-of-bounds area.
  2. Points
    1. A goal is worth one (1) point.
    2. A game to points lasts until one team
      scores twenty-one (21) goals with a margin of victory of at least
      two (2) goals.
    3. A game with a score of twenty-to-twenty
      (20-20) goes into overtime, and play continues until a two-goal
      margin is achieved or one team scores twenty-five (25) goals.
    4. Halftime occurs when one team reaches
      eleven (11) goals.
  3. Halftime lasts for ten (10) minutes.
  4. At the end of the game, the team with the most
    goals is declared the winner.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  VI. Time-Outs
  1. Time-Out
    1. Each team is permitted two (2) time-outs
      per half in games to 17 or less, and three (3) time-outs per half
      in games to 18 or more. Each team is permitted exactly one (1)
      time-out in overtime. Overtime occurs when the score is tied at
      one point less than the number of points for which the game was
      originally scheduled. (Example: In a game to 19 points, overtime
      occurs when the score reaches 18-18.)
    2. Each time-out lasts up to two (2) minutes.
    3. The player calling the time-out must form
      a "T" with his/her hands and call "time-out" loudly.
    4. A time-out may be called by either team
      after a goal and before the ensuing accepted throw-off.
    5. During play, only a player who has
      established a pivot foot and who has possession of the disc can
      call a time-out.
      [1995]
    6. When play resumes after a time-out:
      [1995]
      1. The player who had possession
        puts the disc into play.
      2. The disc is put into
        play at the location where the disc was when the time-out
        was called.
      3. Play is resumed through the use of a
        check and all other players may set up in
        any position on the field.
    7. It is a turnover if a player calls a
      time-out when his/her team no time-outs remaining. There is a
      check on the disc.
  2. Injury Time-Out
    1. Injury time-out can be called by any
      member of the injured player's team. The time-out call is in
      effect at the time of the injury. In other words, the call is
      retroactive to the time that the injury occurred. If the disc is
      in the air during the time-out call, the play is completed.
    2. Injury time-out results in a team
      time-out if the injured player does not leave the game. A "spirit
      of the game" exception is made when the injury is caused by an
      opposing player.
    3. When play resumes after an injury time-out:
      1. The player who had possession of the
        disc when the injury occurred puts the disc into play. If that
        player leaves the field due to injury, the replacing player puts
        the disc into play.
      2. If the disc was in the air at the time
        of the injury, play continues until the disc is caught or it
        contacts the ground. If the disc is caught, the player who
        caught the disc puts the disc into play after the injury
        time-out.
      3. The disc is put into play at the
        location where the disc was when play was stopped.
      4. The play is resumed through the use of
        a check and all players must assume their
        respective positions on the field when the time-out was called.
        Players may not set up when restarting play after an injury
        time-out, unless it is also a team time-out.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  VII. Substitutions
  1. Substitutions can be made only:
    1. After a goal and before the ensuing
      accepted throw-off.
    2. Before the beginning of a period of play;
    3. To replace an injured player(s).
  2. If a team replaces an injured player(s), the
    opposing team has the option of substituting a like number of, or
    fewer players.
  3. Substitutions other than injury substitutions
    cannot be made during a time-out taken
    during play.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  VIII. Starting and Restarting Play
  1. Before a game starts, each team designates
    one captain to represent that team in disagreements and
    arbitration.
  2. Start of periods of play:
    1. Representatives of the two teams each
      flip a disc. The representative of one team calls "same" or
      "different" while the discs are in the air. The team winning the
      flip has the choice of:
      1. Receiving or throwing the initial
        throw-off; or
      2. Selecting which goal they wish to
        defend initially.
    2. The team losing the flip is given the
      remaining choice.
      [1992]
    3. The second half begins with an automatic
      reversal of the initial throw-off position.
      [1992]
    4. In a game to time, if overtime periods
      are needed, the disc flipping procedure is repeated for the first
      overtime period. The initial throw-off
      position of subsequent overtime periods is the reverse of the
      throw-off position that started the previous
      overtime period.
      [1992]
  3. Throw Off
    1. Play starts at the beginning of each
      period of play and after each goal with a throw-off.
    2. Each time a goal is scored, the teams
      switch the direction of their attack and the team which scored
      throws off.
    3. Positioning prior to the throw-off:
      1. The players on the throwing team are
        free to move anywhere in their defending endzone, but may not
        cross the goal line until the disc is released.
      2. The players on the receiving team
        must stand with one foot on their defending goal line without
        changing position relative to one another.
    4. The throw-off may be made only after the
      thrower and a player on the receiving team raise a hand to signal
      that team's readiness to begin play.
    5. The throw-off consists of one player on
      the throwing team throwing the disc toward the opposite goal line
      to begin play.
    6. As soon as the disc is released, all
      players may move in any direction.
    7. No player on the throwing team may touch
      the throw-off in the air before it is touched by a member of the
      receiving team.
    8. If a member of the receiving team
      catches the throw-off on the playing field proper, that player
      must put the disc into play from the spot.
      If the throw-off is caught in either endzone, the player
      takes possession at that point, and puts the disc in play as
      described in Section X (ENDZONES).
      If the throw-off is caught out-of-bounds, it is put into play as
      described in Section IX.7 (OUT-OF-BOUNDS).
      [1995]
    9. If a member of the receiving team
      touches the disc during flight of the throw-off (whether in- or
      out-of-bounds) and the receiving team fails to catch it, the team
      which threw-off gains possession of the disc at the nearest point
      on the playing field proper. If a player
      drops the disc while carrying it to the point where the disc will
      be put into play, the team which threw-off gains possession of the
      disc at the nearest point on the playing field
      proper.
    10. If the receiving team allows the
      throw-off to fall untouched to the ground, and the disc initially
      lands in-bounds, the receiving team gains possession of the disc
      where it stops. If the disc initially lands in-bounds, then goes
      out-of-bounds, the receiving team gains possession at the point on
      the playing field proper nearest to where the
      disc first went out-of-bounds.
    11. If the throw-off lands out-of-bounds,
      the receiving team, before touching the disc, makes a choice of:
      1. Putting the disc into play at the
        nearest point on the playing field proper
        to where the disc crossed the perimeter line.
      2. Requesting a re-throw. To request a
        re-throw, any member of the receiving team must fully extend one
        hand above the head and call "Over." Once this re-throw signal
        is given, that throw-off can no longer be put into play.
      3. Invoking the Middle/Brick Rule. If
        the throw-off lands outside the field of play, the receiving
        team may choose to put the disc into play at the halfway between
        the two sidelines either at the point where the disc went
        out-of-bounds or at a point 10 yards upfield from the goal line
        they are defending. To invoke the "middle/brick rule," the
        member of the receiving team who is going to receive the
        throw-off shall fully extend one hand above his/her head and
        call "middle" or "brick". The player must let the disc hit the
        ground. On such a call, the offensive player may use a "self check,"
        meaning he/she picks up the disc and the nearest defensive
        player says "in play." If the nearest player does not
        immediately say "in play," the offensive player may touch the
        disc to the ground and yell "disc in play."
        
        [1992]
  4. The Check
    1. When play stops, the player who was in
      possession retains possession.
    2. All players must come to a stop as
      quickly as possible when play is halted, and remain in their
      respective locations until play is restarted.
    3. The marker restarts play by touching the
      disc in possession of the thrower. If the thrower attempts a pass
      before the marker touches the disc, the pass does not count
      regardless of whether it is complete or incomplete, and possession
      reverts back to the thrower.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  IX. Out-of-Bounds
  1. Any area not on the playing field is
    out-of-bounds. The perimeter lines themselves are out-of-bounds.
  2. A disc is out-of-bounds when it first contacts
    an out-of-bounds area or contacts anything out-of-bounds.
  3. The disc may fly outside a perimeter line and
    return to the playing field, and defensive players may go
    out-of-bounds in order to make a play on the disc.
  4. A player is out-of-bounds when s/he is
    contacting an out-of-bounds area. When a player is in the air,
    his/her in or out-of-bounds is determined by where the ground was
    last contacted by the player.
  5. For a receiver to be considered in bounds
    after gaining possession of the disc, the first point of contact
    with the ground must be completely in-bounds. If any portion of the
    first point of contact is out-of-bounds, the player is considered
    out-of-bounds.
  6. Should the momentum of a player carry him/her
    out-of-bounds after making a catch and landing in-bounds, the player
    is considered in-bounds. The player carries the disc to the point
    where s/he went out-of-bounds and puts the disc
    into play at that point.
  7. To start or restart play after the disc has
    gone out-of-bounds, a member of the team gaining possession of the
    disc must carry the disc to the point of the playing
    field proper nearest where the disc last crossed the perimeter
    line, and put the disc into play at that
    point.
    [1995]
  8. The thrower may pivot in- and out-of-bounds,
    providing that some part of the pivot foot contacts the playing
    field.
  9. If a pass does not come in bounds the opposing
    team gains possession of the disc where it left the field of play
    only if the defense did not contact the disc. If the defense
    contacted the disc, the disc must be put into play at the point on
    the playing field proper closest to where the
    contact occurred.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  X. Endzones
  1. If a team gains possession in the endzone which
    it is defending:
    1. The player taking possession must make the
      immediate decision to either:
      1. Put the disc into
        play from that spot, or
      2. Carry it directly to the closest point
        on the goal line and put it into play
        from there. If this option is chosen, the player taking
        possession commits the player to put the disc into play at that
        point.
    2. To fake or pause after gaining possession
      commits the player to put the disc into play
      at that point.
  2. If, as a result of a pass from a teammate, a
    player receives the disc in the endzone which they are defending,
    that player does not have a choice of advancing the disc to the goal
    line.
  3. If a team gains possession in the endzone which
    it is attacking, the player taking possession must carry the disc
    directly to the closest point on the goal line and
    put the disc into play from there.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  XI. Scoring
  1. A goal is scored when an offensive player
    completes a pass to a teammate in the endzone which his/her team is
    attacking.
  2. In order for the receiver to be considered in
    the endzone after gaining possession of the disc, his/her first
    point of contact with the ground must be completely in the endzone.
  3. A player cannot score by running into the
    endzone with the disc. Should a receiver's momentum carry him/her
    into the endzone after gaining possession, the receiver must carry
    the disc back to the closest point on the goal line and
    put the disc into play from there.
  4. A player must be completely in the endzone and
    acknowledge that s/he has scored a goal. If that player plays the
    disc unknowingly into a turnover, then no goal is awarded.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  XII. Turnovers
  1. An incomplete, intercepted, knocked down, or
    out-of-bounds pass results in a loss of
    possession.
  2. A pass is considered intercepted if a
    defensive player catches a pass. If a defensive player catches a
    pass and accidentally loses possession of it before or during ground
    contact related to that catch (II.1.F.b), the
    defender is considered to have blocked rather than intercepted the
    pass.
    [1995]
  3. The following actions result in a loss of
    possession and a check:
    1. If the marker's
      count reaches the maximum number;
    2. If the disc is handed from player to
      player;
    3. If the thrower intentionally deflects a
      pass to him/herself off another player;
    4. If the thrower catches his/her own
      throw. However, if the disc is touched by another player during
      its flight it is considered a complete pass and is not a turnover.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  XIII. The Thrower
  1. The thrower is the offensive player in
    possession of the disc, or the player who has just released the disc.
  2. If the disc is on the ground, whether in- or
    out-of-bounds, any member of the team becoming offense may take
    possession of the disc. Once an offensive player has picked up the
    disc, that player is required to put the disc into
    play.
  3. The thrower must establish a pivot foot and
    may not change that pivot foot until the throw is released except in
    the case where the thrower has just received a pass and is
    throwing before the third ground contact in accordance with
    XV.5.
    [1995]
  4. The thrower has the right to pivot in any
    direction. However, once the marker has established a legal
    defensive position, the thrower may not pivot into the marker.
  5. If the disc is dropped by the thrower
    without defensive interference, it is considered an incomplete pass.
  6. The thrower may throw the disc in any way
    s/he wishes.
  7. A defensive player who establishes
    possession of the disc becomes the thrower, but may not throw the
    disc before s/he establishes a legal pivot foot. To do so is a
    travelling violation.
    [1995]
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  XIV. The Marker
  1. Only one defensive player may guard the
    thrower at any one time; that player is the marker.
  2. The marker may not straddle (i.e., place
    his/her foot on either side of) the pivot foot of the thrower.
  3. There must be at least one disc's diameter
    between the upper bodies of the thrower and the marker at all times.
    It is the mutual responsibility of both players to respect each
    other's position and not encroach into this area once it is
    established.
  4. The marker cannot position his/her arms in
    such a manner as to restrict the thrower from pivoting.
  5. Stalling:
    1. A defensive player within three (3)
      meters of the pivot foot of the thrower may initiate a stall
      count. If an offensive player moving into the throwing position
      "stands over the disc" (i.e., within three meters) without putting
      the disc into play, the marker may issue a "Delay of Game"
      warning. If the disc is not picked up, the marker may initiate a
      stall count.
    2. The count consists of the marker calling
      "Stalling" or "Counting" and counting at one second intervals from
      one to ten (1, 10) loudly enough for the thrower to hear.
    3. If the thrower has not released the disc
      at the first utterance of the word "ten" ("10"), a
      turnover and a check result.
    4. If the defense decides to switch markers;
      and if the new marker wishes to initiate a stalling count, s/he
      must start again from "one" ("1").
    5. In the event of a stall, the once marker,
      now offensive player, does not have to take the disc after the
      check. The once thrower, now marker, checks
      the disc to the new thrower, if s/he does not want the disc, the
      marker "checks" the disc by placing it on the ground and calling
      "in play."
    6. The thrower may contest a stall
      call if s/he feels that s/he had released the disc before the
      first utterance of the word "ten".
      1. In the event of a contested stall, if
        the pass is completed, play stops, and possession reverts back
        to the thrower. After a check, the marker
        starts the stall count at eight (8).
      2. In the event of a contested stall, if
        the pass is incomplete, it is a turnover, and play continues
        without interruption.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  XV. The Receiver
  1. The receiver is any offensive player either in
    the act of catching the disc, or not in possession of the disc.
  2. Bobbling to gain control of the disc is
    permitted, but purposeful, controlled bobbling to oneself (i.e.,
    tipping, delaying, guiding, or brushing) in order to advance the
    disc is considered travelling and is not
    allowed.
  3. There is NO rule XV.3! (With
    apologies to Monty Python, it was deleted in 1995.)
    [1995]
  4. After catching a pass, the receiver is only
    allowed the fewest number of steps required to come to a stop and
    establish a pivot foot.
  5. If the receiver is running or jumping as s/he
    catches the disc, the receiver may throw a pass before the third ground
    contact after catching the disc without coming to a complete stop;
    however, change in direction or increase in speed while
    in possession of the disc is a travelling violation.
    [1995]
  6. If the disc is caught simultaneously by
    offensive and defensive players, the offense retains possession.
  7. If a pass arrives in such a manner that it is
    unclear whether a catch was made before the disc contacted the
    ground (grass is considered part of the ground), the player(s) with
    the best perspective makes the call (usually the receiver).
  8. If it is ever unclear where a receiver was in- or
    out-of-bounds at the point of making a catch, the
    player(s) with the best perspective makes the call.
  9. Force-Out Foul: If an airborne receiver
    catches the disc, and is contacted by a defensive player before
    landing, and that contact caused the receiver to land out-of-bounds
    instead of landing in-bounds, the receiver must either call
    him/herself out-of-bounds, or call a force-out foul on the
    defensive player. If this foul occurs in the end zone and it is
    uncontested, a goal is awarded.
  10. There is NO rule XV.10
    either! (It was also deleted in 1995.)
    [1995]
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  XVI. Fouls
  1. Fouls are the result of physical contact
    between opposing players. A foul can only be called by the player
    who has been fouled and must be announced by calling out the word
    "Foul!" loudly immediately after the foul has occurred.
  2. The player initiating contact is guilty of a
    foul.
  3. Throwing Fouls:
    1. A throwing foul may be called when there
      is contact between the thrower and the marker.
    2. Contact occurring during the follow
      through (after the disc has been released) is not sufficient
      grounds for a foul, but should still be avoided whenever possible.
    3. When a foul is committed by a thrower or
      the marker, play stops and possession reverts back to the thrower
      after a check.
    4. If the thrower is fouled in the act of
      throwing and the pass is completed, the foul is automatically
      declined and play continues without interruption.
    5. If the marker is fouled in the act of
      throwing and the pass is not completed, play continues without
      interruption.
  4. Catching Fouls:
    1. A catching foul may be called when there
      is contact between opposing players in the process of attempting a
      catch, interception, or knock down. A certain amount of incidental
      contact during or immediately after the catching attempt is often
      unavoidable and is not a foul.
    2. If a player contacts an opponent before
      the disc arrives and thereby interferes with that opponent's
      attempt to make a play on the disc, that player has committed a foul.
    3. If a player's attempt to make a play on
      the disc causes significant impact with a legitimately positioned
      stationary opponent, before or after the disc arrives, it is
      considered "harmful endangerment" and is a foul.
    4. Dangerous, aggressive behavior or
      reckless disregard for the safety of fellow players is always a foul.
    5. If a catching foul occurs and is
      uncontested, the player fouled gains possession at the point of
      the infraction. If the call is disputed, the disc goes back to
      the thrower. If an uncontested foul (with the exception of a
      force-out foul [XV.9]) occurs in the end
      zone, the player fouled gains possession at the closest point on
      the goal line to the infraction.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  XVII. Violations
  1. A violation occurs when a player violates
    the rules in a manner which does not result in physical contact.
    (e.g. illegal guarding position by the marker, not establishing a
    pivot foot on the sideline after carrying the disc in from
    out-of-bounds, etc.)
  2. A violation may be called by any player who
    recognizes that a violation has occurred. The player must immediately
    call "violation" or the name of the specific violation loudly.
  3. Travelling:
    1. The thrower must keep all or part of the
      pivot foot in contact with a single spot on the field. Should the
      thrower lose contact with that spot, the thrower has traveled.
    2. If the receiver obviously takes more
      steps than are required to stop after catching a pass, that player
      has traveled.
    3. If a receiver, after receiving a pass
      on the run, releases a pass after the third ground contact and
      before coming to a complete stop, that receiver has traveled.
  4. Strip:
    1. No defensive player may touch the disc
      while it is in possession of the thrower or receiver. If a
      defensive player does so, the player in possession calls "Strip."
    2. The player in possession then picks up
      the disc and play continues unhalted from the point where s/he
      regained possession.
    3. If a count was in progress as the disc
      was stripped, the count is halted, and when the player in
      possession regains possession, the count restarts at zero (0).
    4. A contested strip of the receiver is
      treated the same as a contested foul; an uncontested strip in the
      end zone is a goal.
  5. Double-Team:
    1. Only one marker is permitted to guard
      the thrower.
    2. No other defensive player may establish
      a position within three(3) meters of the pivot foot of the
      thrower, unless s/he is guarding another offensive player in that area.
    3. Should the thrower recognize a
      double-team situation, s/he first calls "Double-Team" as a
      warning. On the first "Double-Team" call, the marker must subtract
      2 from the stall count. If "double-team" is called again within
      the same 10 seconds, play stops and is resumed after a
      check with the count reset to zero (0).
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  XVIII. Positioning
  1. It is the responsibility of all players to
    avoid contact in any way possible. Violent impact with legitimately
    positioned opponents constitutes harmful endangerment, a foul, and
    must be strictly avoided.
  2. Every player (excluding the thrower) is
    entitled to occupy any position on the field not occupied by any
    opposing player, provided that s/he does not cause personal contact
    in taking such a position.
  3. Picks:
    1. No player may establish a position, or
      move in such a manner, so as to obstruct the movement of any
      player on the opposing team; to do so is a "pick".
    2. In the event of a pick, the obstructed
      player must immediately call "Pick" loudly; play stops and is
      resumed after a check, unless the
      continuation rule [XIX.2] applies.
  4. When the disc is in the air, players must
    play the disc, not the opponent.
  5. The Principle of Verticality: All players
    have the right to the space immediately above them. Thus, a player
    cannot prevent an opponent from making an attempt on a pass by
    placing his/her arms above an opponent. Should contact occur, the
    player restricting the vertical area is responsible.
  6. A player who jumped is entitled to land at
    the same spot without hindrance by opponents. S/he may also land at
    the another spot provided the landing spot was not already occupied
    at the time of take-off and that the direct path between the
    take-off and landing spot was not already occupied.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  XIX. Clarifying Statements on Fouls, Violations and
  Picks
  1. Cardinal Rule:
    
    Whenever an infringement of the rules or a time out occur, play
    is halted and the disc is put back into play at the point of the
    last possession before play was stopped. (Note exceptions under
    Turnovers (XII.4) and Catching Fouls
    (XVI.4).
  2. Continuation Rule:
    1. Disc In the Air
      1. If a foul, violation, or pick is
        called while the disc is in the air, the play is always completed.
      2. If the team which called the foul,
        violation, or pick gains possession as a result of that pass
        (e.g., an incomplete pass following a travelling violation, or
        offensive foul), play continues unhalted. In this situation,
        players should call "play on."
      3. If the pass is completed, but the
        defensive effort on the pass was affected by the violation (e.g.
        picks), the pass does not count and possession reverts back to
        the thrower.
    2. Disc Not in the Air
      1. If a foul, violation, or pick is
        called while the disc is not in the air, and a player attempts a
        pass before play has stopped, and the pass is incomplete, it is
        a turnover.
      2. If a foul, violation, or pick is
        called while the disc is not in the air, and a player attempts a
        pass before play has stopped, and the pass is completed, the
        pass does not count, and possession reverts back to the original
        thrower.
    3. It is the responsibility of the player
      who made the call to call out "Play on" to indicate that this rule
      has been invoked.
  3. If there is ever a failure to come to an
    agreement over any call, the disc reverts back to the thrower after a
    check.
  4. If offsetting catching fouls are called by
    offensive and defensive players on the same play, the disc reverts
    back to the thrower after a check.
  5. Any time the marker's count is interrupted by
    the call of a foul, violation, pick, or time-out, the count is
    resumed as follows:
```
        Defensive Foul Uncontested . . . 0
        Defensive Foul Contested . . . . same or 5 if over 5
        Offensive Foul . . . . . . . . . same
        Travel or Pick . . . . . . . . . same or 5 if over 5
        Strip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
        Fast Count / Double Team
         - First  Call . . . . . . . . . subtract 2; no check
         - Second Call . . . . . . . . . 0
        Time Out . . . . . . . . . . . . same
        Contested Stall. . . . . . . . . 8
       
```
  6. When play resumes after a time-out, the stall
    count is continued from where it was when time-out was called. The
    marker must initiate the count by calling "Stalling" or "Counting".
  7. If the marker counts too fast, the thrower
    may call "fast count."
    1. The first "fast count" call is a warning.
      On the first "fast count" call, the marker must subtract 2 from
      the stall count.
    2. If "fast count" is called again within
      the same 10 seconds, play stops and is resumed after a
      check with the count reset to zero (0).
    3. The continuation rule
      [XIX.2] applies to fast counts.
    4. If the fast count occurs in such a manner
      that the thrower does not have a reasonable opportunity to call
      "fast count" before the utterance of the word "ten," the play is
      treated the same as a contested stall [XIV.5(F)].
  8. Should a foul or violation result in
    possession reverting to a thrower who was airborne while releasing
    the disc, play shall be restarted at the point on the
    playing field proper closest to the location
    from which the throw was made.
    [1995]
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  A. Observers
  1. Before the game, the captains may decide to
    select up to six (6) experienced non-players to act as Observers. In
    this role, their job is to carefully watch the action of the game.
    They do not actively call any fouls, violations, picks, or line calls.
  2. When a dispute arises concerning a foul,
    violation, pick, line call, or an interpretation of the rules which
    cannot be resolved by the captains to make the call,
    1. The observer with the best view of the play
      makes the call. If the observers so choose, they may discuss the
      play among themselves before rendering a decision.
    2. By calling in the observers, the teams
      agree to abide by the observers decision.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  B. Etiquette
  1. If a foul is committed and not called, the
    player who commits the foul should inform the infracted player of
    the foul.
  2. It is the responsibility of both teams to
    minimize the time taken between each goal and the ensuing throw-off.
  3. If the receiving team wishes to have an
    out-of-bounds throw-off re-thrown, they should give the re-throw
    signal as soon as possible.
  4. It is a violation against the spirit of the
    game for a defensive player to call for a pass from the thrower.
  5. Should a dispute or confusion arise on the
    field, it should be common practice to stop play, and resume play
    with a check when the matter is resolved.
  6. In the case where a novice player commits a
    violation out of sincere ignorance of rules, it is common practice
    to stop play and explain the violation.
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  C. Historical Record of Clarifications and Amendments
  
  This section describes the various Clarifications and Amendments that
  have been made to the rules over the years. Note that these changes
  have already been included in the rules as presented in this
  document. They are listed here together with clarifying commentary
  for those who are interested in how and why the rules have changed.
  Additions are shown in bold, deletions are marked with
  [square brackets], and clarifying comments are in italics.
  Follow the [GO] link
  to jump to the affected rule.
  
  1995 Clarifications and Amendments
  II. CLARIFYING STATEMENTS
  1. Phrases:
    
    Ground Contact:
    All player contact with the ground directly
    related to a specific event or maneuver, including landing or
    recovery after being off-balance, e.g., jumping, diving, leaning,or
    falling.
    [GO]
    Possession of the disc:
    Sustained contact with, and control of, the non-spinning disc.
    
    To catch a pass is equivalent to establishing possession of that pass
    Loss of control due to ground contact related to a pass
    reception negates that receiver's possession up to that point.
    [GO]
  (These added definitions add a great deal of clarity within
  the rules, much of which will be explained below. Among
  other things, it enables us to get rid of XV.10, see below. It
  also defines a "catch" for the first time, and makes that
  definition (by adding the worlds "and control of") closer to
  the ordinary usage of the word. Without this clause, a
  person on the ground who is unaware of the disc resting on
  his/her back, to cite an extreme example, would be in
  possession of the disc. No longer.)
  VI. TIME-OUTS
  1. Time-out
    
    During play, only [the person with] a player who
    has established a pivot foot and who has possession of the
    disc can call a time-out.
    [GO]
  (This makes it clear that a person executing "the greatest,"
  i.e., a person who jumps up catches the disc, and throws it
  before s/he lands, can not call a time out while in mid-air.)
  (Between the new clarification that you need a new pivot foot
  to put the disc into play, and a clarification in section XIX,
  this rule is not needed. In any event, a player now needs to
  have a pivot foot when s/he calls a time-out, and so it can
  not be called from out of bounds.)
  VIII. STARTING AND RESTARTING PLAY
  1. Throw-offs:
    
    If a member of the receiving team catches the
    throw-off on the playing field proper, that player must
    put the disc into play from that spot. If the throw-off is
    caught in either endzone, the player takes possession at
    that point, and puts the disc in play as described in
    section X (ENDZONES). If the throw-off is caught
    out-of-bounds, it is put into play as described in section
    IX.7 (OUT-OF-BOUNDS).
    [GO]
  (The rules do not currently state what happens when a
  player, who is not standing on the playing field proper,
  catches the throw-off. This addition codifies the way we all
  already play.)
  IX. OUT-OF-BOUNDS
  1. To start or restart play after the disc has gone
    out-of-bounds, a member of the team gaining possession of
    the disc must carry the disc to the point on the playing field
    proper nearest where the disc [went out of bounds] last crossed
    the perimeter line, and put the disc into play at that point.
    [GO]
  (This amendment is technical in nature, and makes the
  wording more accurate as to how the game is currently
  played.)
  XII. TURNOVERS
  1. A pass is considered intercepted if a defensive player
    catches a pass. If a defensive player catches a pass and
    accidentally loses possession of it before or during ground
    contact related to that catch (II.1.F.b), the defender is
    considered to have blocked rather than intercepted the pass.
    [GO]
  (This change clarifies what happens when a player intercepts
  the disc and accidentally drops it when (or before) s/he hits
  the ground. In such an instance, the disc goes to the
  defender's team, and the play is considered as though it were
  a block. This is the way we already play, although the rules
  were not clear. The definitions added in section II also come
  into play here.)
  XIII. THE THROWER
  1. The thrower must establish a pivot foot and may not
    change that pivot foot until the throw is released, except in
    the case where the thrower has just received a pass and is
    throwing before the third ground contact in accordance with
    XV.5.
    [GO]
  (This FINALLY clears up the long standing contradiction
  between XV.5 -- the third ground contact rule -- and the fact
  that this rule requires a pivot foot in order to throw. We
  simply make an explicit exception in that case. It also makes
  clear that "the greatest" is legal.)
  1. A defensive player who establishes possession of the
    disc becomes the thrower, but may not throw the disc before
    s/he establishes a legal pivot foot. To do so is a travelling
    violation.
    [GO]
  (And this section finally defines when a defensive person
  becomes an offensive person. It also makes clear that the
  "third ground contact rule" does not apply to a defensive
  person--s/he must have a pivot foot. Additionally, a
  "defensive greatest" would be a travelling violation.)
  XV. THE RECEIVER
  1. [The receiver gains possession by demonstrating
    sustained contact with a non-spinning disc.]
    [GO]
  (This section is not needed anymore, because of our new
  definitions in section II.)
  1. If the receiver is running or jumping as s/he catches the
    disc, the receiver may throw a pass before the third ground
    contact after catching the disc without coming to a complete
    stop; however, change in direction or increase in speed while
    in possession of the disc is a travelling violation.
    [GO]
  (This makes more clear the conditions under which an
  offensive player does not have to establish a pivot foot
  without travelling, and also makes it clear that "the greatest"
  is a legal play.)
  1. [First ground contact determines possession. The ground
    can cause an incomplete pass, resulting in a turnover.]
    [GO]
  (We have finally deleted what is probably the worst written
  rule in Ultimate. The problem is not only that no one plays
  that way, but the two sentences themselves contradict each
  other. Suppose a receiver lays out in the endzone, catches
  the disc, smashes to the ground, and drops it. Everyone
  plays that as a turnover. And, in fact, the second sentence
  in this clause says it's a turnover, but the first sentence
  above says that receiver has possession. Not only that, but
  the first sentence contradicts the old XV.3 rule which says
  that possession is determined by sustained contact with a
  non-spinning disc. With our new definitions in section II, we
  can get rid of this.)
  XIX. CLARIFYING STATEMENTS ON FOULS, VIOLATIONS AND PICKS
  1. Should a foul or violation result in possession reverting
    to a thrower who was airborne while releasing the disc, play
    shall be restarted at the point on the playing field proper
    closest to the location from which the throw was made.
    [GO]
  (This answers the question of where to start play when a
  player making "the greatest", leaps out of bounds, and
  because of a foul, gets the disc back and must restart play.)
  [Back to Table of Contents]
  
  1992 Amendments and Changes
  II. CLARIFYING STATEMENTS
  1. Phrases:
    
    To "put the disc into play" means that
    the thrower establishes a pivot foot and is ready to throw. To put
    the disc into play at a particular point on the field means to
    place the pivot foot at that point on the field.
    [GO]
    
    "Throw-off position" is the
    particular arrangement of positions (which end zone each team is
    defending) and possession (which team is to throw-off) in effect
    before a throw-off.
    [GO]
  VIII. Starting and Restarting Play
  1. Start of periods of play:
    
    Representatives of the two teams each flip a disc. The
    representative of one team calls "same" or "different" while the
    discs are in the air. The team winning the flip has the choice of:
    [GO]
    
    The second half begins with an automatic reversal of the
    initial throw-off position.
    [GO]
    
    In a game to time, if overtime periods are needed, the disc
    flipping procedure is repeated for the first overtime period. The
    initial throw-off position of subsequent overtime periods is the
    reverse of the throw-off position that started the previous
    overtime period.
    [GO]
  2. Throw Off
    
    If the throw-off lands out-of-bounds, the receiving team,
    before touching the disc, makes a choice of:
    
    Invoking the Middle/Brick Rule. If the throw-off lands
    outside the field of play, the receiving team may choose to put
    the disc into play at the halfway between the two sidelines
    either at the point where the disc went out-of-bounds or at a
    point 10 yards upfield from the goal line they are defending.
    To invoke the "middle/brick rule," the member of the
    receiving team who is going to receive the throw-off shall fully
    extend one hand above his/her head and call "middle" or
    "brick". The player must let the disc hit the ground. On
    such a call, the offensive player may use a "self check,"
    meaning he/she picks up the disc and the nearest defensive
    player says "in play." If the nearest player does not
    immediately say "in play," the offensive player may touch the
    disc to the ground and yell "disc in play."
    [GO]

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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

UPA Rules of Ultimate, Ninth Edition

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