OCUA Specific Rules

Rules of the Game

While the 11th Edition Rules as provided by USA Ultimate, cover the vast majority of situations, there are certain areas where the Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Association (OCUA) feels that these rules must be modified or added to for our league. These rule additions and modifications are detailed here.

For any question with the rules, please consult OCUA Rules Discussion Forum or for an official, OCUA-supported decision, send an email to the Rules Committee: rules@ocua.ca

Time Rules | Sunset Cap | Start Time | Late Teams | Length of Game | Defaulted Games | Field Setup | Field Dimension - End-zone | Uniform Color | Postponement of Games | Partially-Completed Games | Playoff Eligibility | Foot Blocks | Co-ed Gender Ratio | Lightning Protocol | Rules on Lightning | Fixed League Rules | Field-Specific Rules | Humidex Advisory

NEW* Field dimension – End-zone

In accordance with Ultimate Canada and USA Ultimate, OCUA is officially implementing the switch from a 25 yards (23m) end-zone to 20 yards (18m) in league play. This new dimension is not yet included in the Official Rules of Ultimate, but is being used by UC and USA U in all major events. OCUA supports this change and will be using 20 yards end zones starting in the Summer 2013 season.

Time Rules

Because OCUA league games are played outside, usually during 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 should agree on a timekeeper and a time piece. OCUA league games use the "Sunset Cap" rule.

Sunset Cap

The timekeeper should issue a warning to captains five minutes before the time cap (see your game schedule in Leaguerunner for specific times). At the Sunset Cap, the game stops, regardless of what stage it is at (between points or during play). The Sunset Cap is intended to ensure player safety by preventing play when it is dark and/or dangerous. For this reason, the Captain's Clause CANNOT extend the duration of the game beyond the Sunset Cap.

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 start times for specific fields are posted in the Leaguerunner schedules on the OCUA website. The field quality status will also be posted on the website, and left as a recording on the OCUA hotline.

Late Teams

A team is late when it cannot field a line of at least six players, with at least two players of the same gender, at the designated start time. When a team is late, the opposing team may count one point for every five minutes beyond the designated start time that the late team fails to field a line of the correct ratio. For the on-time team to be eligible to count points, it must have set up the field (even if it is not the home team), and have at least six players, of the correct ratio (4/2 or 3/3 ratio for coed, and 6W or 6M for single gender leagues), at the field and ready to play (but not necessarily on the field). The captain, or a player/representative of the late team must be informed that the on-time team is counting points. If no one from the late team is present at the official start time, the first person from the late team that shows up must be informed. The late team should not let the fact that the on-time 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 (which allows for a final score of 17-16).

Defaulted Games

A default occurs when one team cannot field at least six players, with at least two players of the same gender in coed play, 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. All defaulting teams will incur a field charge of $75. Teams that incur a field charge should pay their fee before their next game. 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 seasons, 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.

Playoffs: Teams that cannot attend playoffs may withdraw without penalty before the score reporting deadline of their last regular season game. Any team that withdraws from playoffs after that point will be subject to the default penalty ($75) due to the fact that late withdrawals from playoffs require the coordinators to restructure playoff pools and schedules and may result in other teams playing less games at playoffs.

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. Any such 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, 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 is considered complete and the game score will stand as final if either of the following conditions is met at the time at which play is halted:

1. one team has reached at least ten points; or
2. one team has reached at least eight points, and is leading by at least two points.

If neither of these conditions is 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 result 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) a minimum of 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, it must first secure permission from its opponent. This, however, does not extend to players who have been suspended for disciplinary reasons.

Foot Blocks

Foot blocks are allowed in all divisions. 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 and spring indoor leagues, 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. Unless specified otherwise, OCUA does not require the pulling team to field a line matching the receiving team's gender ratio. 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 its opponent does not need to follow suit.

Lightning Protocol

Use the 30/30 rule:

• IMMEDIATELY leave the field and take appropriate shelter when you count 30 seconds or fewer between lightning and thunder.
• Remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last peal of thunder.
• Safe shelter shall(should?) be inside a substantial building, away from doorways and , windows. Baseball/Softball dugouts are not appropriate. The shelter shall (should?) be able to keep athletes and fans comfortable for up to 1 hour or more. While less than ideal, an enclosed motor vehicle will suffice. Avoid contact with the steering wheel, ignition, keys and/or radio. OCUA Specific

Rules on Lightning:

• If a lightning stoppage occurs within 30 minutes of time cap, the game is to be ended rather than trying to wait it out.
• For partially completed games, please refer to the OCUA specific rules "Partially-Completed Games" to determine how a partially completed game should be handled.
• Unless both captains agree, via the Captain’s Clause, to cancel the game, teams are required to take safe shelter and attempt to resume the game 30 minutes after the lightning has passed, or it will count as a default.

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 play is stopped immediately and OCUA's Lightning Protocol is applied. 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;
• The Sunset Cap rule applies regardless of the Captain’s Clause;
• 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; and
• If playing on the field is causing any damage due to wetness, the game 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 website 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 degrees or more, and the conditions are expected to 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; and
• 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 the game by 30 minutes to allow cooler temperatures.