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082504
University of Nebraska
Campus Recreation
ULTIMATE FRISBEE RULES
Nature of the Game
Ultimate frisbee is a fast-moving, competitive, non-contact sport played by two six-person teams
In co-
rec, three men and three women makeup a team. The sport has a great amount of freedom and
informality implicit in the rules. Primary among these is the spirit of sportsmanship which enables the
honor system to be effective.
Such actions as taunting of opposing players, dangerous aggression, intentional fouling, or other "win at
all cost" behaviors are fouls against the spirit of the game and should be discouraged by all players.
The object of Ultimate Frisbee is to gain points by scoring goals. The disc may only be passed, and a
goal is scored when a player successfully passes the disc to a teammate in the end zone which that team
is attacking. The team with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.
Players
Each team shall consist of six players, a minimum of four players is required on site ready to play prior to
game time to avoid a forfeit. No more than two ultimate sport club members are allowed per team
roster. In co-rec, teams consist of three men and three women. A minimum of four players, two men
and two women, is required on site ready to play prior to game time to avoid a forfeit. No more than three
and no less than two players of each gender may participate at one time.
Equipment
The Office of Campus Recreation will furnish the discs. They will be 165 gram frisbees. Players may not
wear shoes with metal cleats. Team members are encouraged to wear shirts of the same color; flag belts
may be provided to aid teams in identifying their teammates.
Playing Fields
The playing field will be 70 yards long (two 15 yd. endzones) and approximately 40 yards wide.
Officials
Officials will not
be provided by the Office of Campus Recreation and the teams will play on an honor
system. An Intramural Staff Assistant will be present to mediate protests, problems, and disputes.
Time
A game of ultimate frisbee lasts for 36 minutes, divided into two 18-minutes halves
. Half-time lasts five
minutes. The clock will run continuously until the last minute of each half, when it will stop after every
goal, for time-outs, injuries, fouls, and when the disc goes out-of-bounds. The clock starts when the disc
is touched inbounds, and after every throw-off when the disc is touched by a member of the receiving
team; play continues at the location of the disc when the play was stopped.
Each team is permitted one time-out per half
, each lasting for one minute. Time-outs may be called by
either team after a goal and before the ensuing throw-off. A team must be in possession of the disc in
order to call a time-out during play.
In the event of a tie score at the end of regulation play, there will be a sudden-death overtime period (first
team to score is the winner). The captains flip a coin or disc to determine which team will throw-off,
receive, or defend a goal.
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Throw-Off
Play begins with the throw-off. The captains flip a coin or disc to determine which team will throw,
receive, or choose a goal. The teams shall alternate throw-offs at the beginning of each period. All
players must be on or behind their own goal line without changing relative position.
A player on the goal line throws the disc toward the other team. As soon as the disc is released, all
players may cross the goal lines. No player on the throwing team may touch the disc in the air before it is
touched by a member of the receiving team.
The receiving team may catch the disc or allow it to fall untouched to the ground. If a member of the
receiving team successfully catches the throw-off they may advance the disc by passing at that point. If
the receiving team touches the disc and fails to catch it, the team which threw-off gains possession of the
disc where it is stopped. If the disc is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, the receiving team gains
possession where it is stopped.
If the disc goes out-of-bounds (endline and/or sideline), the receiving team makes the immediate decision
of: 1) gaining possession at the point the disc went out-of-bounds; or 2) taking possession of the disk on
the goal line at the nearest corner if it went out-of-bounds after crossing the goal line.
Each time a goal is scored, the teams switch direction of their attack, and the team which scored throws-
off on the signal of the receiving team.
End zones
Any time a team gains possession in the end zone which they are defending, the player immediately
chooses to resume play where the disc is stopped, or at the goal line. A player may carry the disc up to
the goal line provided he/she approaches it perpendicularly. The disc may not be passed as the player
approaches the line. If a team gains possession in the end zone which it is attacking, the disc is carried
perpendicularly to the goal line, and play resumes immediately from the goal line.
The Play
The team which has possession of the disc must attempt to move the disc into position so that they may
score a goal. The disc may be propelled in any way the player wishes. The disc may never be handed
from player to player. In order for the disc to go from one player to another, it must at some time be in the
air.
No player may walk, run, or take steps in possession of the disc. The momentum of the receiver,
however, must be taken into consideration. Should a player take steps obviously not required to stop, a
foul is called. The player in possession may pivot on one foot as in basketball. The pivot foot may not be
changed by the thrower. If the pivot foot is changed, a foul is called. Only one
player may guard the
person in possession of the disc. If one defender is guarding and the second is within six feet of the
player with the disc, "double team" can be called. The second defender must retreat and counting
resumes. The disc may not be wrenched from the grasp on an opposing player or knocked from any
player's hand. If the disc is dropped by the thrower without interference by a defender, a turnover results.
If the disc is simultaneously caught, offense retains possession.
The defensive team gains possession whenever the offensive team's pass is incomplete, intercepted,
knocked down, or goes out-of-bounds. A rolling or sliding disc may be stopped by any player, but may
not be advanced in any direction. After the disc is stopped, no defensive player may touch it.
Possession is gained at the point where the disc is stopped. Any member of the team gaining
possession of the disc may throw it.
A player may catch his/her own throw only if the disc has been touched by another player during flight.
Bobbling to gain control is permitted but tipping to oneself is not allowed.
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Fouls
A throwing foul is called only by the player fouled. The thrower may not push the defender back in order
to throw. Any physical contact during the throw is a foul against the defender. Contact occurring after
release of the disc is not sufficient grounds for a foul. If the pass is completed, the foul is automatically
declined and play proceeds without stopping.
Players must play the disc, not the opponent. That is, they may not position themselves on the field for
the purpose of blocking other players. To do so is a foul. In playing the disc, players must respect the
established positions of others. Low momentum contact during and after catching attempts is often
unavoidable and is not a foul. Violent impact with legitimately positioned opponents constitutes harmful
endangerment and is a foul. This must be strictly avoided. Ejection of offending player(s) may also
result.
The player who is fouled calls "foul," stops play, and the fouled player gains possession at the point of
infraction. For a momentum or pivoting foul, play stops, a check on the disc occurs, but possession is
retained by the thrower. Play continues when both teams are ready. Should a foul occur in the end
zone, possession is gained at the goal line.
A stalling violation occurs when the player guarding the thrower calls "stalling" and counts out 10
seconds. If the disc has not been released at the end of the count, it is turned over to the defense at that
point.
Scoring
A goal is scored when an offensive player lands inbounds with any part of both feet in the end zone after
receiving a pass from a teammate. The goal line is not considered part of the end zone. A team that
scored receives one point.
Substitutions
Substitutions can be made only: 1) after a goal and before the ensuing throw-off; 2) to replace an injured
player, or 3) after a period of play. Substitution can also be made during a time out.
Clarifying Statements
•There are no scrimmage lines or offsides in Ultimate Frisbee.
•The disc may be passed in any direction; forward, to the side, or backward.
•The term "when both teams are ready" implies that the offensive team will hold the disc until the
defense is ready, and then hand the disc to the thrower (offense). Restarting the clock in the last minute
of the period would occur. It should be common practice that the offensive team find a position, then
remain stationary until the disc is given to the thrower.
•The disc may fly out-of-bounds and return to the playing field. The defense may attempt to knock the
disc down when the disc is thrown in from out-of-bounds.
•The stalling call should be initiated only when it becomes obvious that a stall is occurring.
Protests
All protests, except eligibility, will be settled on site by the Intramural Staff Assistant. The Staff Assistant's
decision(s) is final. Protests should be lodged immediately to the Staff Assistant (before play resumes).
Elections
If any player is ejected from any intramural contest, they are immediately ineligible for further competition
in any intramural activity until they are cleared by the Intramural Assistant Director or his/her designate. It
is the participant's responsibility to schedule an appointment with the Intramural Assistant Director to
review his/her behavior and subsequent eligibility to continue in the Intramural Sports Program.
UNL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION
