Ultimate (often called Ultimate Frisbee) is a competitive non-contact team sport played with a flying disc. The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc into the opposing endzone, similar to American football. Players may not run while holding the disc. The game was invented in 1968 as an evening pastime by Jared Kass. Ultimate is distinguished by its Spirit of the Game - the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, and the joy of play.

While originally called "Ultimate Frisbee", the game is more appropriately called "Ultimate" because the name Frisbee is a trademarked brand name for discs made by Wham-O, which are rarely used in competitive play. Discs made by Discraft are more often used. The game is played using a 175 g disc; for some national and international tournaments, only discs which have been approved by the governing body responsible for that tournament may be used.

Ultimate in Ten Simple Rules

1. The Field -- A rectangular shape with endzones at each end. A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards, with endzones 25 yards deep.
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. The person with the disc ("thrower") has ten seconds to throw the disc. The defender guarding the thrower ("marker") counts out the stall count.
5. Change of possession -- 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.
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.

Steve Courlang and Neal Dambra Copyright (c) Ultimate Players Association, 1993

Links

Ultimate Players Association

Introduction of Ultimate for Fans

How the Game is Played

Ultimate Photography Site 1 Site 2 Site 3

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