 |
| Ultimate playing field |
The two teams begin at opposite end zones and try to advance the disc to the other end zone. The disc is put into play by one team throwing off to the other team. This throw-off is called the pull. Once in play, the disc may be moved only by passing, so the player holding the disc must stay put (but may pivot on one foot). If a team successfully advances the disc into the end zone, that team scores a point, the teams swap directions, and the team that scored pulls to the other team.
If a pass is incomplete, intercepted, or caught out of bounds, the opposing team immediately gains possession and tries to move the disc in the other direction. Another way to change possession is that the player holding the disc, called the thrower, has a limited time to throw the disc: A defensive player within 10 feet of the thrower may loudly count to 10 (unless counted by the referee), and if the disc is not thrown within 10 seconds, the defense immediately gains possession. This defensive player is called the marker, and the audible count is called the stall count.
Under the professional rules, there are four 10-minute quarters. At the end of four quarters, whoever has the most goals wins. If there is a tie at the end of four quarters, an additional 5-minute OT period is played. If there is a still a tie after the OT period, one point is played and whoever scores wins.
The club game is typically played until an end condition is reached, typically a time limit or when one team reaches a certain number of points.
A professional regulation game features teams of 7 players each, with substitutions allowed between points and during timeouts. A Major League Ultimate regulation field is 120 yards (110m) by 53 1/3 yards (49m), including end zones each of 20 yards (18m) deep.
A club regulation game features teams of 7 players each, with substitutions allowed between points and during injuries. A USA Ultimate regulation field is 120 yards (110m) by 40 yards (37m), including end zones each 25 yards (23m) deep. In USA Ultimate Club Championship Series (2012) the endzone length was shortened to 20 yards (18m) to allow for consistency with WFDF rules used in international competition and to increase the number of field sites that can be used for ultimate.
There are a couple rules concerning fouls. One type of foul is called a "Throwing Foul". This foul can be called when there is non-incidental contact between the thrower and the marker. When the disc is in the thrower's possession it is considered to be part of the thrower. There are even fouls for when a player is attempting to catch or receive the disc. For example when a player makes contact with the opponent while the disc is in the air and interferes with the opponent attempting to make a play on the disc, then said player has committed a receiving foul. A foul can be called when a defensive player is attempting to block a throw. When a defensive player initiates contact with the disc after an offensive player has gained possession of the disc, and the offensive player as a result loses possession of the disc, then this is considered to be a "strip".