Rules of the Game

Objective:

Basic Rules

Spirit of the Game

Unlike most sports, Ultimate Frisbee is self-officiated. This means that there are no referees. Players make their own calls and contest each other's calls if they feel that the call is unfair. The Spirit of the Game is what makes this method work, and also a big part of what makes Ultimate Frisbee special in the world of sports.

Coming soon: a description of the spirit of the game from coach.

You can find UPA's statement on Spirit of the Game here.

• Two teams of 7 people on a 70x40 yard field. At each end is a 25 yard endzone, so the total field is 120x40 yards.
• The game starts when one team pulls to the other team.
• Person with the disc is not allowed to move. The disc is advanced down the field by passing to teammates. Handoffs are not allowed.
• Only one person on defense is allowed within 3 meters of the offensive player with the disc. That person is called the staller. He/she counts "Stall one, Stall two...etc." The thrower must throw within 10 seconds or it's a forced turnover.
• If the disc is intercepted or a pass is imcomplete, it is immediately a turn-over and the other team gains possession.
• Fouls: In Ultimate Frisbee, players make their own calls of foul and violations. If the other player thinks the call was made unfairly, then the call is contested. Actions taken after a foul call and contested foul calls are listed below.

More Rules

• Intercepted or incomplete catch.
• Stall count reaches 10
• Disc is handed-off
• Thrower catches his own throw (boomerang). However this is not a illegal if someone else touches/tips the disc.
• Calling a team time-out when your team has none left.
• When a teammate assists another teammate in movement. For example, boosting your teammate or jumping off his back to get a height advantage.
• Using an object to help you catch. Throwing a baseball cap, sticks, anything at the disc is illegal. If the defending team does this, the intended receiver maintains possession of the disc.

Few quick things. First, if the disc is sliding or rolling, any player may stop its movement, but may not kick it or otherwise advance towards any endzone. Secondly, any foul or violation call may be declined. For example, if you call a foul on the defense for contact while throwing the disc, but it is caught downfield anyway, you may decline to take the disc back. In this case, just call "Play on!"