Ultimate Frisbee Regulations

Eligibility

The Intramural sport convener may modify these rules at their discretion. The Intramural sport convener and officials have the discretion to rule on any matter not covered by these rules.

Click here for Intramurals eligibility rules.

Number of Players

• A team must field seven players (maximum roster size = 17 [including at least 3 of each gender for coed leagues] for all leagues and tournaments).
• 7 people begin on the field at the start of each game. Each team must have a minimum of 3 players of each gender (M/F) on the field.
• In cases where teams only have 2 of a particular gender, they must play shorthanded (i.e., 6 [4M:2F] vs. 7), you may not replace the missing person with someone of the opposite gender. If this is not possible, the offending team will default.
• In order to play, a team must have a minimum of 6 players, (including a minimum of 2 of each gender) ready to play at game time.

The Game

A. HOUSE RULES

All leagues play under the rules set out by Ultimate Players Association with the following exceptions.

Game Time

I.
Games will consist of two (2) 20 minutes running halves with a 5-minute halftime. At the point scored closest to 17 minutes into each half, the on-site supervisor will call last point before half. At the point scored closest to 17 minutes into the second half, the onsite supervisor will call last point. The next point scored in either of these situations will result in either half time or the end of the game respectively. IMS is running on soft time, ultimately it is up to the discretion to the on-site supervisor to determine length of play.

Initiate Play

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

Scoring

1. Each time the offense completes a pass in the defense's end zone, the offense scores a point. One cannot run into the end zone carrying the disc, they must return to the line and continue play.

Movement of the Disc

I. The disc may be advanced in any direction by completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the disc. The person with the disc ("thrower") has ten seconds ("stalls/stemboats") to throw the disc. The defender guarding the thrower ("marker") counts out the stall count.

Change of Possession

I. When a pass in not completed (e.g. out of bounds, drop, block, interception), the defense immediately takes possession of the disc and becomes the offense.

Substitutions

I. Players not in the game may replace players in the game after a score or for an injured player during an injury timeout.

Non-Contact

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

Fouls

I. When a player initiates bodily 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.

Self-Refereeing

I. Players are responsible for their own foul and line calls. Players resolve their own disputes. Players are permitted to consult the official(s) if they so choose.

Foot Blocks

I. Are not permitted.

Spirit of the Game

I. 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.

B. EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS

• Teams are encouraged to bring both a white and a dark shirt to each game. No red or gray shirts are permitted.
• Cleats are strongly recommended. Metal cleats or screw-in studs are illegal. Any player found wearing illegal equipment will be asked to leave the game and not permitted to continue until the illegal equipment is removed.
• Teams are welcomed to indicate a specific “team colour”, and wear only that colour to each game.

C. OVERTIME PROCEDURES

• In all regular season games, there will be no overtime. Games finishing in a tie will be recorded as such in the standings.
• In all playoff games, if two teams are tied at the end of regulation time, play will continue until a two (2) point margin is achieved.

D. PLAYOFFS

• Playoff formats will be determined by the Intramural sport convener. 

Sportsmanship

Campus Recreation Intramural Sports at Western University holds sportsmanship as “Our Golden Rule of Sport”. Sportsmanship is a great tradition in sports and competition that means playing clean, handling both victory and defeat with grace, style, and dignity, respecting the judgment of referees and officials, and treating opponents with respect. Sportsmanship is a style and an attitude, and it can have a positive influence on everyone around you.

Weather & Playing Field Conditions

• Games will continue to be played during all weather conditions except: if thunder is heard, games will be suspended for 15 minutes. If no thunder or lightning are seen or heard in the 15 minutes, games will continue. If thunder and lightning persist, games will be cancelled and rescheduled, if possible. If lightning is seen, games will be immediately cancelled and rescheduled, if possible
• Field conditions will be monitored by Intramural staff who may suspend games at any time if they believe the field is unplayable.
• When in doubt, players should expect the game to be played and arrive at the field on time. If games get/are to be cancelled the sport convener will send out a message to those affected as soon as the decision to cancel has been made.

Game Reschedules

I. Cancelled Games (due to weather, space conflicts etc.) will be rescheduled whenever possible to ensure you get the Intramural experience you paid for, however facility availability is limited, and games may not always be able to be rescheduled.
II. Team Requests for a Reschedule - Unfortunately, once our schedules are released online we only make changes due to facility closure, etc.
III. If you need to reschedule a game, email your opponent to gain their permission to a possible rescheduling. Only if the opponent agrees to a change of game time can you email your Intramural sport convener at least 48 hours prior to the game with your request (and proof of opponent’s agreement). Requests will be accommodated when possible, but are not guaranteed. If you wish to swap game times with another game in your division, you must contact the captains of all teams involved in the game swap. The swap can only occur if all parties agree. This must be completed at least 48 hours prior to the originally scheduled game. Proof of all agreements must be sent to the Sport Convener before the game time swap can be executed.
IV. Forfeit the game: If you give at least 48 hours’ notice to your sport specific convener that your team won't be playing and that the game is a ‘forfeit’. You will lose the game, but not your Performance Bond.