| Ultimate
is played between two teams of seven players
on a large rectangular pitch. A line drawn
across the pitch at either end creates two
"endzones" (like in American Football).
These are the goal-scoring areas. A goal
is scored when a team completes a pass to
a player standing (or more likely running)
in the endzone they are attacking.
Ultimate
Frisbee Pitch
Players
cannot run with the disc. When you get the
disc you must come to a stop and try to
throw it to another player (a bit like netball).
By passing from player to player, the offence
attempts to work the disc up the pitch towards
the endzone they are attacking. If the disc
hits the ground or is intercepted or knocked
down by the other team, then the opposition
takes possession (a change of possession
is called a "turnover", like American
Football). Possession also changes if a
receiver is outside the playing area when
he or she catches it.
The
defending team attempts to stop the team
with the disc from making progress upfield
by marking them (as in soccer or basketball).
The theory is that the offence won't want
to pass to a player who is being marked
closely, as it's likely to result in an
interception. So it boils down to the offence
players trying to get free of their markers
to receive a pass, while the defence makes
every effort to stay with them in the hope
of forcing a turnover.
Ultimate
is essentially non-contact; any contact
between players can be declared a foul.
There's a variety of other minor violations,
but that's the big one.
Ultimate
is unique in that it is refereed by the
players themselves, even at World Championship
level, according to a code of conduct known
as "the Spirit of the Game". This
places the responsibility for fair play
on the players themselves. In that respect,
playing Ultimate is a completely different
experience to playing other sports. And
believe it or not, Ultimate's system of
self-refereeing works. Beautifully.
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Initiate
Play -- Each point begins
with both teams lining up on the front
of their respective endzone line.
The defense throws ("pulls")
the disc to the offense. A regulation
game has seven players per team. |
Scoring
-- Each time the offense completes
a pass in the defense's endzone, the
offense scores a point. Play is initiated
after each score. |
Movement
of the Disc -- The disc may
be advanced in any direction by completing
a pass to a teammate. Players may
not run with the disc. The person
with the disc ("thrower")
has ten seconds to throw the disc.
The defender guarding the thrower
("marker") counts out the
stall count. |
Change
of possession -- When a pass
in not completed (e.g. out of bounds,
drop, block, interception), the defense
immediately takes possession of the
disc and becomes the offense.
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Substitutions
-- Players not in the game may replace
players in the game after a score
and during an injury timeout. |
Non-contact
-- No physical contact is allowed
between players. Picks and screens
are also prohibited. A foul occurs
when contact is made. |
Fouls
-- When a player initiates contact
on another player a foul occurs. When
a foul disrupts possession, the play
resumes as if the possession was retained.
If the player committing the foul
disagrees with the foul call, the
play is redone. |
Self-Refereeing
-- Players are responsible for their
own foul and line calls. Players resolve
their own disputes. |
Spirit
of the Game -- Ultimate stresses
sportsmanship and fair play. Competitive
play is encouraged, but never at the
expense of respect between players,
adherence to the rules, and the basic
joy of play. |
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