Simple Rules Of Ultimate

Ultimate is a fast, free flowing game that combines elements of netball, soccer, gridiron and touch footy. The basic idea of the game is very simple. The aim is for the team with the frisbee to pass it up the field without dropping it and catch it in an end zone, which scores a point. The other team tries to intercept the disc or knock it down. The sport is non-contact and teams are generally mixed - both men and women play on the same team. The other important aspect of Ultimate is that there are NO REFEREES. The players are trusted to make all decisions by themselves.

Field: Ultimate is usually played on an approximately half-width football field, with two teams of seven players (plus substitutes) lining up against each other. Any size field can be used, however, depending on space available, and a good game can be had with as few as four players a side. Cones are generally used to mark the corners of the zones and the sidelines.

Scoring: To start a point, the defending team "pulls" (throws) the disc from their end zone to the offensive team, who stand in the opposite end-zone. The object of the game is for a team to connect passes down the field until the disc is caught in their opponent's end zone, scoring one point. Teams change ends at the end of each point. Games are usually to 15 or 21, with a time cap of around 90 minutes, but play as long or as short a game as you like.

Quick Rules:

1. There is no running with the frisbee. The frisbee can only be moved up the field by passing it. When a player catches the disc they must establish a "pivot" foot before throwing, a little like basketball.
2. The person with the frisbee has 10 seconds to throw. A defensive team member marks them and counts out loud, "stalling ... one ... two ... three ..."
3. No physical contact is allowed between players. Contact results in a foul. In practice, small amounts of accidental contact are usually tolerated.
4. A "turnover" occurs when the frisbee hits the ground, goes out of bounds, is dropped or intercepted. Unlike touch footy, if the frisbee is knocked down, the team that last held the frisbee loses it, regardless of who knocks it down. The defensive team takes possession of the disc at that point and becomes the offensive team.
5. Unlimited substitutions are allowed between points, although none during points.

Fouls: Players call their own fouls when rule violations or contact occurs - there are no referees. A player disagreeing with a foul call can usually "contest" (dispute) the call, in which case the play is redone and the disc returned to the thrower. Players endeavour to be fair in their calls, so calls are rarely contested.

"Spirit of the Game": Unique to Ultimate, and central to individual and team conduct, is the underlying Spirit of the Game, which embodies the sportsmanship which has sadly been lost from other sports. Players undertake to be competitive but fair and truthful, physical but careful, intense but friendly and courteous.

-Courtesy of the AFDA