Ultimate Frisbee WFDF Official Rules

1. Spirit of the Game
2. The Playing Field
3. Equipment
4. Point, Goal and Game
5. Teams
6. Starting a Game
7. The Pull
8. State of Play
9. Stall Count
10. The Check
11. Out-of-Bounds
12. Receivers and Positioning
13. Turnovers
14. Scoring
15. Calling Fouls, Infractions and Violations
16. Continuation after a Call
17. Fouls
18. Infractions and Violations
19. Safety Stoppages
20. Time-Outs

All players are responsible for administering and adhering to the rules. Ultimate relies upon a Spirit of the Game that places the responsibility for fair play on every player. Players must be fair-minded, objective and truthful, and listen to and consider the opponent’s viewpoint. Players must only make a call where a breach is significant enough to make a difference to the outcome of the
action, or where a player’s safety is at risk.

In order to avoid dangerous play, players must avoid intentional fouling, taunting or intimidating opposing players and celebrating disrespectfully after scoring, calling for a pass from an opposition player, or making calls in retaliation to an opponent’s call.

Experienced players are encouraged to offer advice and explain any breaches incurred by a novice of the game, and may supervise games involving beginners and young players. Non-players, apart from the captains, should refrain from getting involved unless players specifically seek other peoples’ perspectives on the play.

If after discussion players cannot agree, the disc must be returned to the last non-disputed thrower.

The playing field is a rectangular area measuring 100m long in total and 37m wide, with end zones within that 100m length measuring 18m long at each end, thereby making the playable area (the central zone) 67m long.

The perimeter lines making the edge of the field are not included as a playable area. The goal lines marking the division between the central area and the end zone are part of the central zone.

8 cones or other brightly colored objects mark the corners of the playing field and the corners where the goal lines meet the sidelines.

There are 2 ‘brick marks’ in the shape of diagonally crossed lines (X) measuring 1m in length, located midway between the sidelines within the central zone and 18m from each goal line.

Although WFDF may maintain a list of approved discs recommended for use, any flying disc may be used that is acceptable to both captains.

Clothing that distinguishes each team should be worn, with nothin worn that may reasonably harm a player or impede an opponent’s ability to play.

A game is finished and won by the first team to score 15 goals. Half time occurs when the first team scores 8 goals.

After a goal is scored, the team that scored then defends and initiates play by ‘pulling’ the disc (See 7. The Pull)

Each team has a maximum of 7 players and a minimum of 5 players on the field during play, with a captain and a spirit captain designated for each team.

Between when a goal is scored and each team signals readiness for the pull, they may make unlimited substitutions. In mixed games, an alternating 4:3 ratio between the sexes should be used.

Captains or representatives for each team fairly decide who should throw the initial pull, or in which direction they will play. The other team gets the remaining choice. For the second half, the initial choices are switched to the respective team.

At the beginning of the first and second halves, and after each goal, play commences with a throw by the defence, called a ‘pull’. Both teams must signal their readiness by the puller and a member of the opposing team signalling through the raising of a hand.

All offensive players (receiving the pull) must stand with one foot on their defending goal line, and without changing position until the pull is released. All defensive players (making the pull) must keep their feet entirely behind the vertical plane of their goal line until the pull is released.

As soon as the pull is released, all players may move in any direction.

If there is a ‘false start’ or ‘offside’ violation, the opposing team must call it before the receiving team offence touches the ball.

No player on the defensive team may touch the disc after a pull until a member of the offensive team makes contact with the disc or the disc hits the ground.

A ‘turnover’ occurs when an offensive player touches the disc before it hits the ground, but the offensive team then fails to establish possession.

When an offensive player catches the pull and then establishes possession, the pivot point pivot is at the location nearest to where possession is established.

If the disc contacts the playing field but does not go out-of-bounds, the thrower must establish a pivot point where the disc stops.

If the disc contacts the playing field but then does go out-of-bounds, without contacting an offensive player, the thrower must establish a pivot point where the disc first crossed the perimeter line, or the nearest location in the central zone if that pivot point would be in their defending end zone. However, if the disc did contact an offensive player, the pivot point must be where the disc first crossed the perimeter line.

If the disc goes straight out-of-bounds without contacting either the playing field or any offensive player, then the thrower may establish a pivot point either at the brick mark closest to their defending end zone, or at the location on the central zone closest to where the disc went out-of-bounds. This is signalled by any offensive player fully extending one arm overhead, and calling “brick” before the disc is picked up.

Play is ‘dead’ between a goal and the next pull; when the disc must be carried to a pivot location; following a call which stops the play or during any other stoppage; from when a disc hits the ground until when possession is re-established.

Players are allowed to move during dead play but the thrower may not transfer possession of the disc to another player during dead play.

Play that is not dead is referred to as ‘live’.

Any player may attempt to stop a disc from rolling or sliding after it has hit the ground, but if in doing so significantly alters the disc’s position, the opposition may call for the return of the disc to where contact occurred.

Following a turnover, and after the pull, an offensive (receiving) player must move at walking pace or faster to directly retrieve the disc and establish a pivot point, within 10 seconds of it coming to rest within the central zone, and within 20 seconds of it coming to rest within the end zone, not applicable when out-of-bounds. A call of “Delay of Game” may be made when a breach of these time rules occur.

The defence must not move in a manner that obstructs the offence from taking possession of the disc or establishing a pivot point.

If at any time the players cannot agree on a pivot location, a midpoint between the two proposed pivot locations must be used.

A marker may make a call of “Stalling” and begin counting out loud from 1 to 10 (in seconds) when play is live and once a pivot point is established after a turnover, and only when the marker is within 3 metres of thrower’s pivot point and if all defenders are legally positioned. If another marker takes over, or the marker leaves the 3 meter limit, the count must begin again with the call “Stalling. One”

See the full rules for further points relating to ‘contested stall-outs’ and stall out breaches from the offence and defence.

Whenever play stops during a game for any reason, play must resume as quickly as possible with a check, which may only be delayed for the discussion of a call.

All players must remain stationary in the correct location until the disc is checked in. Prior to the check the person checking the disc in, and the nearest opposition player, must verify that their own teammates are ready, and correctly positioned.

All players must return to the location they held when a call was made If play stops before a pass is thrown.

All players must return to the location they held when a breach occurred, if a player other than the thrower gains possession as a result of an accepted breach.

If the disc is returned to the thrower, all players must return to the location they held when the thrower released the pass, or the time of the call if earlier.

If the result of the play stands, then all players must return to the location they held when either a player established possession, or the disc hit the ground.

“Delay of Game” may be called by the opposition If there is an unnecessary delay in checking the disc in, and if the delay continues, the opposition may then call “Disc In” and check in the disc themselves, so long as their team are all stationary and in their correct positions.

To restart play with a check when the thrower has the disc, either a defender must touch the disc, or the thrower must touch the disc to the ground and
may call “Disc In”.

In order to fix faulty equipment, any player may call “equipment” to briefly extend a stoppage of play, but may not stop active play. When the disc is on the ground, the defender nearest to the disc must call “Disc In”.

A player may call a violation regarding the check if an opponent attempts a pass without an appropriate check; restarts play without verification from the nearest opposition player; is moving immediately prior to the check; or was not in the appropriate position. After such a violation call any subsequent pass is discounted.

The entire playing field inside of the perimeter lines is in-bounds. The perimeter lines and everywhere outside of them is out-of-bounds.

Everything in contact with the out-of-bounds area is out-of-bounds, with e exception of defensive players, who are considered to always be “in-bounds”.

An airborne player retains their in-bounds or out-of-bounds status until they make contact with the ground.

A player who catches the disc in-bounds but then contacts an out-of-bounds area, is still considered in-bounds, and they must establish a pivot point at the location on the playing field where they crossed the perimeter line.

A thrower who contacts an out-of-bounds area is considered in-bounds until they make a pass.

If any part of an offensive receiver is out-of-bounds when they contact the disc, or after catching the disc while airborne, an offensive receiver’s first contact is out-of-bounds while still in contact with the disc, then an out-of-bounds turnover occurs, and no catch is deemed to have occurred.

A disc becomes out-of-bounds when it first contacts the out-of-bounds area or contacts an out-of-bounds offensive player. A disc that has been caught by an offensive player has the same in/out-of-bounds status as that player. If the disc is simultaneously caught by more than one offensive player, and either one of them is out-of-bounds, then the disc is out-of-bounds.

The disc may fly outside a perimeter line and return to the playing field, and players may go out-of-bounds to make a play on the disc.

The place where a disc went out-of-bounds is the location where the disc was most recently partly or wholly over the playing field, or in contact with an in-bounds player.

If the disc is out-of-bounds and more than 3 metres from the pivot location, then non-players may retrieve the disc, but the thrower must carry the disc the last 3 metres to the playing field.

A “catch” occurs when a player has a non-spinning disc trapped between at least two body parts, establishing possession of the disc. After establishing possession, that player becomes the thrower. If the player fails to maintain the catch, possession is deemed to have not occurred.

If offensive and defensive players catch the disc simultaneously, the offence retains possession.

An opposing player may not contact a player in an established position who may remain in that position. Every player is entitled to occupy any position on the field not already occupied by any opposing player.

When the disc is in the air a player may not move to obstruct and opponent from taking an unoccupied path to make a play on the disc. All players must attempt to avoid initiating contact with other players, and “making a play for the disc” is not a valid excuse for initiating contact with other players. If uncertain about being able to make a legal play at the disc prior to a legally moving
opponent, contact must be avoided by adjusting movement.

A turnover transfers possession of the disc from one team to the other.

A turnover occurs when the disc contacts the ground without being held; a defensive player intercepts the disc; the disc goes out-of-bounds; or during a pull, the offence touches and then drops the disc (a ‘dropped pull’).

A turnover that stops play occurs when an offensive player is fouled; when there is ‘stall-out’ (see 9. Stall Count); when an offensive player passes the disc without actually throwing/releasing it (a ‘handover’); the thrower bounces the disc back to themselves (a ‘deflection’) or passes to themselves (a ‘self-catch’); an offensive player physically assists a teammate to catch a pass; or an offensive player uses an item of equipment or object to assist in catching a pass.

It “turnover” is called, and the opposition disagrees, they must call “contest” and play stops. If not agreed, the disc is returned to last non-disputed thrower.

Any offensive player may establish possession of the disc after a turnover, except after an “interception” or foul by the offence, which which case the interceptor or fouled player gains possession.

The turnover location is where the disc has come to a stop or is picked up by an offensive player; the intercepting player stops; the thrower was located at the time of a call; or where a foul occurred.

If the turnover location is out-of-bounds, or the disc touched an out-of-bounds area after the turnover occurred, the thrower must establish a pivot point at the location on the central zone nearest to where the disc went out-of-bounds.

If the turnover location is in the offence’s attacking end zone, the thrower must establish a pivot point at the nearest location on the goal line.

If the turnover location is in the offence’s defending end zone, the thrower may choose a pivot point either at the turnover location, or move to the nearest location on the goal line to the turnover location after signalling by extending one arm above their head.

If play has continued unknowingly after an accepted turnover, then play stops and the disc is returned to the turnover location, and players resume their positions at the time the turnover occurred and play is restarted with a ‘check’.

A goal is scored if an in-bounds player catches and maintains a legal pass, whilst all their body parts that are in contact with the ground are entirely within their attacking end zone, or if airborne, when all their first ground contacting body parts are entirely within the end zone.

If a player in possession of the disc ends up in the end zone they are attacking without scoring a goal, then the player must establish a pivot point at the nearest location on the goal line.

When “goal” is called, the play stops. If a goal is contested or retracted, play must restart with a check, and the call is deemed to have been made when the
player established possession.

Intentional minor contact is regarded as a violation. Any opposing player may claim a violation, by calling the specific name of the violation or “Violation”.

Intentional non-minor contact is regarded as a foul. Only a player that is fouled may claim a foul, by calling “Foul”.

Marking or Travel breaches are regarded as Infractions and do not stop play. Only the thrower may claim an infraction, by calling the specific name of the infraction, except for a double team, which any offensive player may call, or a travel infraction, which any defensive player may call.

When a foul or violation call is made that stops play, players must stop play by visibly or audibly communicating the stoppage, which all players should then echo. Calls must be made immediately after the breach is recognised.

If a player initiates a stoppage incorrectly, then the ongoing play stands if the opposition has gained or retained possession, but if they have not, the disc must be returned to the last non-disputed thrower, unless the players involved from both teams agree that the event or call did not affect the outcome.

If multiple breaches occur on the same play or before play stops, the outcomes should be resolved in reverse sequence with latest breach being dealt with first, and the earliest breach last.

A call of “Retracted” signals that a player realises that they incorrectly made a call. Play resumes as if an accepted breach has been caused by that player.

In the case of a stall count being incorrectly called, the count resumes as if an accepted breach has been caused by the player who initiated the stoppage incorrectly.

If the player against whom the foul, infraction or violation has been called disagrees that it occurred, or does not think it is a correct call, they may call “Contest”.

Players are encouraged to use the WFDF Hand Signals to communicate all calls.

Whenever a foul or violation call is made, or play stops, no turnover is possible.

If a foul or violation is called against the thrower and the disc is being thrown, is subsequently thrown, or is in the air, then play continues. If possession of that throw has been established by the team that called the foul or violation, then the play stands and may continue if the caller of the foul or violation immediately calls “Play on”.

If the team that called the foul or violation does not gain or retain possession as a result of the pass, play must be stopped, and if they believe that possession has been affected by the foul or violation, the disc will be returned to the thrower for a check.

If the players involved from both teams agree that the event or call did not affect the outcome, the play stands, with the affected players being able to make up any positional disadvantage caused by the event or call, restarting play with a check. If the play resulted in a goal, the goal stands. This rule is not superseded by any other rule.

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