ULTIMATE IN TEN SIMPLE RULES

Ultimate in Ten Simple Rules 

1. The Field. A rectangular shape with endzones at each end. A regulation field is 64 meters by 37 meters, with endzones 23 meters deep. Normally, ultimate is played outdoors on a grassy surface. In Europe, competitive Indoor Ultimate is played five-a-side on team handball fields (roughly 40 m x 20 m in size) with lines as boundaries and a safety zone of at least 1 meter around the court. 

2. Initiate Play. Each point begins with both teams lining up on the front of their respective endzone line. The defense throws ("pulls") the disc to the offense. A regulation game has seven players per team. 

3. Scoring. Each time the offense completes a pass in the defense's endzone, the offense scores a point. Play is initiated after each score. 

4. Movement of the Disc. The disc may be advanced in any direction by

completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the disc. They must

establish a pivot foot until after their throw, and they may not catch their own

throw unless it has been touched in the air by an opponent. The person with the

disc ("thrower") has ten seconds to throw the disc. This period is known as the

"stall", and each second is counted out by the defender (a stall count). 

5. Change of possession. When a pass is not completed the defense immediately takes possession of the disc and becomes the offense. Common reasons for changes of possession include: 

• Drops - The player on offense accidentally drops the disc onto the ground.
• Blocks - A defender deflects the disc in mid flight, causing it to hit the ground. 
• Interceptions - A defender catches a disc thrown by the offense. 
• Out of Bounds - The disc lands out of bounds, hits an object out of bounds or is caught by a player who lands or leapt from outside the playing field. 
• Stalls - The stall count of ten expires before the player on offense throws the disc. 

Whenever a pass is not completed, the disc changes possession; that is, the defense immediately becomes the offense. After a change of possession, the offense must throw the disc from where it first touched the ground, or where it first traveled out of bounds. 

6. Substitutions. Players not in the game may replace players in the game after a score and during an injury timeout. 

7. Non-contact. No physical contact is allowed between players. Picks and screens are also prohibited. A foul occurs when contact is made. 

8. Fouls. When a player initiates contact on another player a foul occurs.

When a foul disrupts possession, the play resumes as if the possession was

retained. If the player committing the foul disagrees with the foul call, the play is

redone. 

9. Self-Refereeing. Players are responsible for their own foul and line calls.

Players resolve their own disputes.

10. Spirit of the Game. Ultimate stresses sportsmanship and fair play.

Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect between

players, adherence to the rules, and the basic joy of play.