Are you familiar with the Ultimate Frisbee Rules? Perhaps you are, or perhaps you need a recap. If that’s the case, you’re in the right spot. We have made this review of the rules of Ultimate Frisbee for all of you who either want to find them out for the first time, or just to revise them.

Understanding the rules makes the game more enjoyable for everyone. Since Ultimate is based on the “fair play” principle, where the players are also the referees, it is always important to first go through the rules before starting the game. Unlike other games where the referee’s decision is final, in Ultimate Frisbee, the players from both sides need to agree even when the decision might be against them. Generally, the rules of the game are as follows, below.

 

Ultimate Frisbee Rules:

1. The Team

Two opposing teams play ultimate frisbee and each can have from 12 to 18 players. However, only 7 players are permitted to be on the field at any given time. This means that 14 players will be present during play. Each team can substitute the players during a point break or in case of an injury. In indoor Ultimate Frisbee, however, they allow “on the fly” subbing, where players join in and come out, as they desire –just as seen in ice hockey. In contrast to other sports, in Ultimate Frisbee, you can have a team made up of both men and women. The ratio of men to women is normally dependent on the captain’s decision, but, usually, there are more men on the teams than women.

 

2. The Ultimate Frisbee Field

The field of play should be an open field with no obstacles and has to be on a flat surface. It is rectangular shaped, with a length of 110 meters (120 yards) and a width of 37 meters (40 yards). When playing unofficially, the field dimensions can be smaller, as the size can be reduced to accommodate fewer players. The disc should not leave this zone during game-play and, if it does, then it’s considered out-of-bounds and the toss goes to the other team.

On each end of the ultimate frisbee field, there is an end zone, which is 25 yards (23 meters) deep. It should measure 40 yards (37 meters) by 25 yards (23 meters). Players are required to remain in this region until the dish has been tossed. Every time a score is made, they return to the end zone.

20 yards (18 meters) from the end zone, there is an area called the Brick Mark which is found on both sides of the field, just like the end zones. You can also say that it is 15 yards from the center of the field. It may or may not be marked and it is important for the players to know where it is. The Brick Mark is normally used when the dish goes-out-bound to restart the game.

 

3. Starting The Game

All the players with exception of the captains are required to go to their respective end zones. The captain will head to the center to decide which team will toss first. You can decide either by using the dish or tossing a coin. Once things are established, the captains go back and rejoin their members.

The puller of the starting team will raise the disc up in the air to signal that they are ready to toss. In response, and when ready, the other team will make a hand gesture or signal. all the players are supposed to remain in the end zone until the Frisbee is thrown.

In case the disc goes out of bounds, the other team can either choose to it take from where it landed or bring it to the Brick Mark. However, if the frisbee didn’t land directly but rolled out of play, then the Brick Mark option is not available.

 

4. Movement & Dynamics

The tossing team holds the disc and aims at reaching the other team’s end zone by passing it to the fellow members. As a basic rule of ultimate frisbee, running with the disc isn’t allowed and a running player is required to slow down once he catches the disc and come to a stop. You can only hang on to it for up to 10 seconds, hence should always be looking out for your teammates. You lose possession if it goes out of bounds, if you accidentally drop it, if you come into contact with an opponent, or the opponent intercepts it. When this happens, there will be a turnover.

 

5. How To Score In Ultimate Frisbee

In order to score, a team should successfully pass the disc to its players and reach the opponent’s end zone. The scoring member should have both his/her feet in the end zone when receiving the frisbee. When one foot is in and the other one is out, he/ she will be said to be “Straddling’ and the point will not count. If one leg is the field of play and the other is on the end zone, they will still be in possession but will be required to step outside the end zone by one step and continue play.

After scoring a point, the team that conceded walks to the end zone on the other side in preparation for the next pull. 90 seconds are allowed for the changeover and this happens after every point scored. During this brief break, teams are allowed to discuss, make a substitution, or even take a rest.

 

6. “The Fair Play” Rule In Ultimate Frisbee

You must understand that the ultimate Frisbee rules are not enforced by a referee, like in other sports. This only happens at the National level. That is why it’s important for all the players to be on par when it comes to the ultimate rules. The players practically judge their own game, and should use fair play or, if you want the “Spirit of the Game.” A fouled player can call out for the foul and the offender may agree or deny. In case he agrees, then the foul is given, but if he does not agree, then a re-do is called out. The game aims at fair play and at times, an observer may be called in to help make a decision for instance when a catch is made along the sidelines.

 

7. Finishing The Game

An Ultimate Frisbee game is won by either total game points or via point cap. Usually, the winning team must score 15 points while ensuring there is a 2-point margin difference. Simply put, it should be 15-13, 15-12, 15-11 etc. In case the score is 15-14, then one point will be added to the score cap, meaning that the team with 15 will win if they score 16 while the other one remains at 14.

In some situations, the teams will not reach the 15-point mark hence the decision will be based on the time. Normally, Ultimate Frisbee can be played for up to 90 minutes. In Soft Cap, the maximum is 60 minutes whereas in Hard Cap the maximum time is 70 minutes. If your team is leading by a single point instead of the allowed 2-point margin but the time for play elapses, then you will be declared the winner.

The limit and caps are quite varied and it usually boils down to what the tournament organizers or the team captains agree is the best.

After going through the rules of Ultimate Frisbee, you should now be able to better understand and play the game. So, see you on the field!

Additionally, you can get better at ultimate if you check out our guides. You can improve your frisbee throws, your catches and learn some great ultimate frisbee drills to amp up your game.