Ultimate Frisbee Rules
Ultimate Frisbee is now known in many countries simply as the less-catchy “Ultimate” due to the fact that
Frisbee is a registered trademark. It is a fast-paced sport with similarities to netball, football (soccer) and
American Football. Played by around five million people in the US and with leagues in the UK and other
European countries, Ultimate is a far cry from the humble origins of the Frisbee.
As with many inventions there are multiple reported variations on how Frisbees came to be, but the commonly
agreed version is that it comes from the Frisbie Baking Company, whose empty metal pie tins were thrown by
college students in the 1920s. Subsequently, in 1948, Walter Morrison invented a plastic version with improved
aero-dynamics, and then followed the Pluto Platter.
Ultimate was created in 1967 by students at Columbia High School and in 1979 the Ultimate Players
Association, now USA Ultimate, was formed. The sport has grown from its early years as a relaxed sport
played for fun and increasingly attracts better athletes and is played more competitively.
Object of the Game
The object of Ultimate is to pass the flying disc to a player in the endzone of the pitch and in so doing a goal is
scored. As in rugby and American Football the ends – the last 18m in this case – of the pitch are the scoring
zones. The winner is usually decided by whichever team is first to score a specified number of goals or
whichever team scores the most goals in a given timeframe.
Players & Equipment
One of the beauties of the sport is that very little equipment is needed, with an inexpensive disc and an open
space sufficient for a rudimentary game. Ultimate is contested between two sides of seven players with
substitutions permitted and so with a disc, seven bibs and a field you’re away!
The pitch is 100m long with the endzones, as said, 18m deep at either end. It is 37m across and a regulation
disc is 10.75 inches in diameter and weighs 175g.
Scoring
Points are scored by getting the disc to one of your players in the end zone by passing it through the air. That’s
the only way to score, making the game a very simple one to understand and play.
Winning the Game
Games are usually played as the first side to reach 15 or sometimes 17 goals, although any number can be
agreed between the teams. Sometimes games are played over two 15 minute periods with a five minute half-
time break. In these games the side with the most goals at the end is deemed the winner.
Rules of Ultimate Frisbee
The match is started by a “pull”, where one side throws-off to the other.
A player cannot run with the disc and must stop as soon as they receive it, although they may pivot on
one leg (a la netball).
If a pass hits the floor, is intercepted or is caught out of bounds possession goes to the other side.
A player in possession has 10 seconds in which to pass the disc or they cede possession to the
opposition.
The defender (marker) makes the count (stall count).
Ultimate is a non-contact sport and defenders may only stand within three meters of the disc-holder.
Substitutions are only allowed after a goal has been scored (and before the throw-off), to replace an
injured player or after periods of play and not during a timeout.
Ultimate is self-officiating and, indicative of its origins and free-spirited reputation, the Spirit of the Game
(SOTG) is highly respected. Only a fouled player may call or appeal for a foul and there is a strong spirit of
respect and sportsmanship demanded. Many other sports could do well to take heed.
