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:

1. one team has reached at least ten points;
2. 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.