About Ultimate
Ultimate is a fabulous, high-energy sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and disc-skills who don't mind a little running and a lot of fun. The description below applies to the outdoor version of the game. The indoor version, being on a smaller field, is somewhat modified (a slightly smaller field and fewer players) but mostly similar.
Picture, if you will, a playing field (usually grass, but desperate teams will play on almost any surface) as follows:
On this playing field are two teams of seven players each. The object of the game is for a team to pass the disc from player to player, all the way up the field, and catch the disc in their end-zone, which scores a point. Players cannot run with the disc, but must plant a pivot foot (as in basketball) and throw the disc to a teammate. When holding the disc, a player gets ten seconds to throw it to a teammate (five or seven seconds indoors), which is counted off by the defender guarding the offensive player (known as "marking" the thrower.) If the disc isn't thrown in time, it's called a "stall" and the defense takes over.
If the offensive team drops the disc, catches it out of bounds, or failes to complete a pass because a defender somehow blocks the pass, the other team picks up the disc where it lands and works to score in the other direction. Defenders gnerally play either a man-to-man or zone defense in their attempt to block a throw.
The game is non-contact - it's a foul to hit the other player, or to hit the disc while it's being held. (Blocking the disc right after it's thrown, known as a "point-block", is a very hot play!) Nor can a defender be "picked" off the player being guarded. Any play carried out with the main intent to prevent another player from having a fair chance at catching the disc or making a defense is considered a foul; in other words, you have to "play the disc, not the person!"
Probably the most important part of Ultimate is known as "The Spirit of the Game". This catch-phrase is used to describe the respect that every player in the game has for his fellow players. No referees are used in the game. Instead, each player does his best to make an honest call if necessary, and trust the calls of his fellow players, with the implicit assumption that nobody in Ultimate would try to cheat.
This principle is what makes Ultimate special to so many people, and all Ultimate players try to keep the Spirit alive by maintaining this high level of trust, no matter how competitive the game gets. If people cannot resolve their differences, people usually say "back to the thrower", which allows play to continue on without forcing the issue one way or another.
The best way to see how Ultimate is played is to go watch a local tournament. Ultimate players share a great camraderie, and LOVE to introduce new players to the sport. So come on out and watch!
(borrowed from the rec.sport.disc FAQ)
The Rules of the Game
The Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Association plays by the 11th Edition rules as defined by the Ultimate Players Association.
OCUA also uses some local adjustments, which can be found on the OCUA League Specific Rules page.
Ultimate in 10 Simple Rules
1. The Field -- A rectangular shape with endzones at each end. A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards, with endzones 25 yards deep.
2. 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.
3. Scoring -- Each time the offense completes a pass in the defense's endzone, the offense scores a point. Play is initiated after each score.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Substitutions -- Players not in the game may replace players in the game after a score and during an injury timeout.
7. Non-contact -- No physical contact is allowed between players. Picks and screens are also prohibited. A foul occurs when contact is made.
8. 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.
9. Self-Refereeing -- Players are responsible for their own foul and line calls. Players resolve their own disputes.
10. 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.
11th Edition Rules
The UPA released the new 11th edition of the Rules of Ultimate in January 2007. As of the 2007 Summer season, OCUA will be following the new 11th Edition.
The 11th Edition can be fetched from:
- 11th Edition as HTML
- Substantive changes between 10th and 11th edition - Detailed (as pdf)
- Substantive changes between 10th and 11th edition - Major (as pdf)
Other Rules Resources:
OCUA League Specific Rules
Updated: July 9, 2010
Rules of the Game
While the 11th Edition Rules as provided by the Ultimate Players Association, cover the vast majority of situations, there are certain areas where the Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Association feels that these rules must be modified or added to for our league. These rule additions and modifications are detailed here.
Time Rules
Because OCUA league games are played outside, during the evening hours, light and field availability play a significant role in the times a game must start and stop. Before a game begins the Captains will agree on a time keeper and a time piece. OCUA league games use the "Hard Cap" rule.
Hard Cap
The time keeper must issue a warning to captains five minutes before the time cap (see your game schedule in Leaguerunner for specific times). At the time cap, the game stops regardless of what stage it is at (between points or during play). The reason for using the hard cap is to eliminate playing when it is dark and/or dangerous.
Start Time
All games are to start on time. "In city" games begin at 6:30pm and "out of town" games at 6:45pm. The times for specific fields are posted on the OCUA web site in the Leaguerunner schedules. Field status will also be posted on the web site and left as a recording on the hotline.
For every five minutes a team is late, there is a 1 point penalty to the offending team. For the other team to be eligible to receive penalty points, they must have set up the field even if they are not the home team and have seven players, of the correct ratio, at the field ready to play (not necessarily on the field). Also the captain or a representative of the late team must be informed that the on-time team are counting points (or if no one is there at the official start time, inform the first person that shows up). Points may be taken from this point on. If a team is late, they should not allow the fact that the opposing team counted points affect the SOTG rating given.
Length of Game
As per Rule V.A, games are played until one team's number of goals scored first reaches or exceeds 15, with a margin of at least two goals and with a final point cap at 17 (allows for a final score of 17-16).
Defaulted Games
A default occurs when one team cannot field at least six players, of the right ratio within the first 30 minutes of the scheduled start time. Teams must inform their coordinator by 3 pm on game day that they are unable to field a team and have not been successful at rescheduling their game with their opponents. Failure to provide notice by 3 pm will result in the defaulting team incurring the field charges ($75). Teams that incur field charges will have until the end of the season to pay their fees. Teams will not be able to register for subsequent seasons until their default fees have been paid. A team that defaults twice in a row, or three times in a season, may be eliminated from further play in the current season or subsequent season(s) pending a review from the Board of Directors. Winners of defaulted games receive a score of 6-0 and a SOTG rating equivalent to 9-0.
Field Setup
It is the responsibility of the home team to set up the field prior to the official start time. It is the responsibility of the visiting team to inspect the set up and approve it. It is the responsibility of all players to make both teams aware of any hazards they observe. Said hazards should be marked with discs.
Uniform Colour
Every player must wear a uniform or other clothing that distinguishes that player from the players on the other team. In cases where both teams have a similar colour designated in Leaguerunner the home team will have first choice of colour.
Postponement of Games
Games can be rescheduled with the agreement of both captains. If lightning is observed, players are to adhere to OCUA's Lightning Protocol. If there has been heavy rain on the day of the game, or several days prior to the day of the game, then the game should be rescheduled in order to safeguard the field.
Partially-Completed Games
A partially-completed game occurs when external factors other than time cap (e.g. lightning, damage being caused to the field due to play, etc.) halts a game before one team has reached a winning score. The game score will stand as final and the game is considered complete if either of the following conditions are met at the time at which play is halted:
- one team has reached at least ten points;
- one team has reached at least eight points, and is leading by at least two points.
If neither of these conditions are met, captains can agree to continue the game from the current score at a later time or to accept whatever score was reached as final. If agreement between the captains cannot be reached and neither game completion condition was met, no results should be entered for this game and the game is canceled.
Playoff Eligibility
A player must be registered on a team's roster and have played in (or been present for) four regular season games with their team to qualify for playoffs. No player may register for more than one team on the same night. If a team wishes to use an ineligible player, then they must ask and secure the permission of their opponents first. This, however, does not extend to players who have been suspended for disciplinary reasons.
Foot Blocks
Foot blocks are allowed in all divisions by default, although the Captain's Clause can be used to override this if both captains agree.
Co-ed Gender Ratio
The number and gender ratio of players on the field is defined by the season and division you are playing in. For summer and fall co-ed divisions, this means 7 players per side, at a ratio of 4/3. For winter indoor, it varies per night -- consult your coordinator.
Teams must field their lines according to this ratio, unless both captains agree otherwise as per the Captain's Clause.
By default and unless specified otherwise, OCUA does not require a team to field a line matching the opponent's gender choices. This means that a team in a 4/3 division may choose to field a line of 4 men, 3 women or 4 women, 3 men at any time during the game, and their opponent does not need to follow suit.
Fixed League Rules
The Captain's Clause states that any rule modifications may be implemented at game time as long as the captains of both teams agree to them. The following rules cannot be changed by the Captain's Clause:
- If lightning is observed the game is stopped immediately. Games should not be resumed until at least one half hour has elapsed since the most recent sighting of lightning. See OCUA's Lightning Protocol for more details.
- Dogs are to be leashed at all times. This rule extends to all fields.
- If there is standing water on the fields, do not use them.
- If playing on the field is causing any damage due to wetness, the games must be stopped.
Field-Specific Rules
Due to any number of factors, certain fields used by OCUA for league games may have rules applied specific to the location. All players are responsible for knowing any field-specific rules and abiding by them. These rules are posted on the OCUA web site on each individual field page. To find a specific field page, ensure you are logged in to ocua.ca and visit our Fields List.
Humidex Advisory
Humidex advisories are issued by Environment Canada when the humidex will reach 40 or more and the conditions are expected ot last for 1 hour or more.
In the event of a humidex advisory OCUA puts in place two temporary modifications to the rules:
- Each team will be allowed three time-outs per half instead of two. Each time-out can be two minutes in length instead of the usual 70 seconds.
- Heat-related substitutions will be permitted.
Players are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, bring extra fluids to the game, take a full 10 minute break at halftime and seek shade during breaks.
(Teams may wish to bring umbrellas or other items if playing at a location with little shade.)
Captains may wish to use the Captain's Clause to postpone the start time of your game by 30 minutes to allow cooler temperatures.
OCUA Rules Discussion Forum
OCUA has its own Rules Discussion Forum, a place for your questions about the rules of the game. Please note that any threads posted before the adoption of the current set of rules (the 11th Edition Rules, adopted for summer 2007) will likely be based on interpretations of outdated previous editions.
Also note that this site's "Search" function can be quite useful for searching through our forums to find helpful information, including in-depth analysis and interpretation of rules. You should see a link for the OCUA Search Page at the right end of the top menu bar. Or click the following link: Search
Indoor League Specific Rules
The Indoor Divisions of OCUA follow the UPA 11th Edition Rules, with the following exceptions:
- At most locations games are played by teams of 6 on the field, not 7 with mixed having a gender ratio of 4/2.
- Gatineau has teams of 5 a ratio of 3/2.
- Carleton Tuesday has teams of 6 a ratio of 3/3.
- Games are played to time, not to score.
- Timecaps: In general, games are played to a hard cap. When the game end time has been reached the game is halted regardless of the game status. A timekeeper should be appointed for the game. That person should provide a 5 minute warning to both teams and should also signal the end of the game.
Variation: Quebec City Rules
The "Quebec City Variant" is a modification of the rules of Ultimate intended to speed up the indoor game. Here are the changes:
- Only 2 pulls every game: at the beginning of the game and after halftime. Each team pulls once.
- After a point is scored, play resumes from the end zone where the point was scored (i.e., no pull after every point). The team that was scored upon may bring the disc up to the goal line directly in front of where the point was scored and play continues from there. Note: Most Ottawa Indoor Divisions start subsequent points from the mid point of the goal line instead of straight up. Minimum 2 passes required to score a point after a score. If less than 2 passes result in a score the player with the disc must move to the nearest point on the goal line and put the disc into play there. There is no minimum number of passes after a turnover.
- Maximum 20 second delay between points. Play resumes when either:
- 20 seconds have elapsed, or
- both teams are ready through a check.
If 15 seconds elapses and the offense has not put the disc in play, then defense warns the offense and counts down from 5, after '1' has been said aloud the defense may begin to count stalls. If 15 seconds have elapsed and the defense is not ready, then the offense warns the defense and begins to count down from 5. After '1' has been said aloud, the offense may put the disc into play.
Variation: Sub-on-the-fly rules
A variant of regular Ultimate rules occasionally used for indoor ultimate tournaments is to institute on-the-fly substitution.
The changes to the regular rules are as follows:
- Two cones are set up on each sideline to indicate the substitution zone for each team.
- Players may change on-the-fly during a point. Substitutions are to be made by tagging (by touching) a teammate while you are both between the two cones marking the substitution zone.
- There is no pull after a point. Upon acknowledging the point, the receiving player places the disc on the ground where the point was scored, and it becomes the other team's disc at that point. The new offense may play the disc at that location, or bring it up to the line. It is not necessary to wait for the defense to be 'ready'.
- Teams only switch ends at half.