What
is Ultimate?
Ultimate is a fast-paced, non-contact team sport played on a 120-yard
field. To score, the offensive team attempts to pass the disc
until it is caught in the defending team's endzone. Running with
the disc is not allowed; upon catching the disc the player must
stop, establish a pivot foot and attempt to pass the disc to a
teammate. Incomplete passes and interceptions are turnovers and
play immediately reverses direction. All players act as throwers,
receivers and defenders. Games are to a set number of points (usually
between 11-21) and each goal counts for a single point.
Ultimate
is packed with exciting action; players diving horizontally (laying
out) to catch or block a pass; opponents leaping several feet
in the air to make spectacular catches; rapid-fire short passes;
70 yard throws (hucks) to a player striking towards the endzone;
and aggressive markers preventing throwers from making a good
throw.
Ultimate
can be compared to many sports; the field layout is similar to
football; you use a pivot foot as in basketball; it has the non-stop
movement of soccer or hockey. But most importantly, Ultimate has
many unique features.
Spirit
of the Game
At every level of the game, from recreational leagues to World
Championship play, 'SPIRIT OF THE GAME' is of vital importance
to Ultimate.
To quote
from the World Flying Disc Federation Rules: Article IV - Ultimate©1994:
"Ultimate has traditionally relied upon a spirit of sportsmanship
which places the responsibility for fair play on the individual
player himself. Highly competitive play is encouraged but never
at the expense of mutual respect between players, adherence to
the agreed-upon rules of the game or the basic joy of play. It
is assumed that no ultimate player will intentionally violate
the rules; there are no harsh penalties for inadvertant infractions
but, rather, a method for resuming play in a manner which simulates
what would most likely have occurred had there been no infraction.The
purpose of the rules of Ultimate is to provide a guideline which
describes the way the game is played."
No
Referees
Since it is assumed that players will not intentionally break
the rules, it is not considered necessary to have officials. If
players feel that they have been fouled or that they have committed
a foul they simply call 'foul.' The same is true for violations
such as travelling and picks. The player who is deemed to have
committed the foul or violation may disagrees with the call by
saying 'contest.' There are various mechanisms for resuming play
depending on what the calls are. Even at the highest levels of
play, when emotions are running high and competitiveness has taken
hold of even the most mild-mannered of players, there are no referees
to make calls. Self-officiation is integral to the spirit of the
game and the very nature of Ultimate.
