Rules of Ultimate

The game of ultimate is a 7 on 7 match which can consist of all men, all women, or a mixed team of men and women players depending on the team.  The field is a similar size to an American football field, and a game is typically about 90 minutes.  Points are scored when one player catches the disc in opposing team’s end zone, each score is worth one point and the game ends when the time has run out or when a team has reached the point cap (the point cap is usually 12 or 15 points, depending on how much time is left).

The game begins with a “pull” in which the defending team throws the disc as far as they can down the field to the offensive team.  The disc is then thrown amongst the offense players.  Once a catch is made, the receiver is allowed steps to slow down their momentum, but then must stop in place and establish a “pivot foot”.  The person then has 10 seconds to throw the disc, which is counted out loud by the person defending the player with the disc.  If the disc is not thrown in this time, it is then a turnover to the other team.  The point continues until a team scores.  Once a team scores, play stops and new players can take the field. Ultimate is a non-contact sport and is also self-officiated.  This means that the players call their own fouls and then discuss what happened and how play should continue.  These are the basic rules of Ultimate.