Rules of Ultimate

Official Rules of Ultimate

The USAU 11th edition rules are used at all Ultimate Canada & ODSA events.1. USAU RulesThe USAU 11th edition rules are used at all Ultimate Canada & ODSA events.Official USAU 11th edition rules: USAU 11th Edition Rules (traduction français)Visual guide to rules for certain situation (produced by the AUM): Visual Guide to Rules(français)

UPA rules FAQ: USAU Rules FAQAdditional USAU rules information: Additional Information

2. WFDF RulesWFDF rules are used at all world championships and WFDF sanctioned international events.

Official 2009 WFDF Rules and unofficial translation: WFDF Rules (français)Highlight of changes for 2009/2013: WFDF ChangesWFDF Rules: InterpretationsWFDF Rules: Decision DiagramsWFDF Rules Page: Rules PageSubstantial difference between WFDF and USAU rules: Differences USAU-WFDF

3. Variation: Indoor/TurfDue to the change in available space, indoor Ultimate is played under different rules.

6-on-6 Speed Points (TUC): 6-on-65-on-5 Turf (VUL): 5-on-54-on-4 Quebec Rules (OCUA English, FQU French): 4-on-4 (français)

4. Variation: BeachBeach Ultimate rules

4-on-4 BULA rule variations (WFDF): 4-on-45-on-5 BULA rule variations (WFDF): 5-on-5

5. Guides to the Basic Rules of Ultimate

Ultimate in 10 simple rules (USAU): 10 simple rulesTen things you should know about Spirit of the Game (USAU): 10 SOTGWFDF Ultimate basic summary: Basic summary

WFDF

Canada uses the WFDF Rules , at all World Championships.A Pocket Version of the Rules can be found here.

USA Ultimate (Formerly Ultimate Players Association)

USA Ultimate (Formerly UPA) is the governing body in the United States, where ultimate was first invented. All play up to national level in North America (Canada and the U.S.) takes place under 11th Edition Rules.

Ultimate Canada (Formerly the Canadian Ultimate Players Association)

Ultimate Canada (Formerly CUPA) is the governing body in the Canada, where ultimate is alive and well. All play up to national level in North America (Canada and the U.S.) takes place under 11th Edition Rules.

Simple Rules

There is a printable pdf version of the simple rules which you can use for distributing to newcomers to our sport.

Variations on Ultimate

There are a number of games based on ultimate for which some simple rules have been written:

Continuation

Continuation is also known as Make it, take it, since the team that scores the goal gets to keep the disc. Basically the rules are the same as normal ultimate, except when one of the teams scores. The team that scores has the option of putting the disc into play from where the goal was caught, or bringing the disc up to the nearest point on the goal line and putting it into play from there. When one team scores, it is immediately trying to score into the opposite endzone to the previous point.

10 Pulls

This is a drill attributed to Death or Glory, US National Champions 1994-1996. The idea is again to teach the value of possession. One team is on defence and the other on offence. The defence pulls to the offence, and the offence has to try to score without turning the disc over. If they turn it over, the defence has the same opportunity. If the defence turns it over as well, that is the end of the point. The teams change ends, and the defence starts again by pulling to the offence. After 10 pulls (hence the name) the offence becomes the defence and vice versa, and you play for another 10 pulls.

If the offence is perfect, then the score will be 10-0. Obviously the offence has the advantage, since they always get the disc first. A score of 4-2 indicates a 40% scoring completion for the offence, and a 33% scoring completion for the defence (33% = 2 completions in 6 opportunities with the disc).

Goaltimate

Goaltimate is different to ultimate in that scoring involves passing the disc through a goal to a teammate. The field dimensions are different too. There are no endzones, since passing the disc through the goal takes the place of passing it over a line. This version can be useful if the field you wish to use has soccer or football goalposts where you would like to place the endzones.

Indoor

Indoor ultimate is good for countries that have a harsh winter climate, so you can play ultimate all year round. Indoor ultimate has:

A smaller field - usually an indoor netball or basketball courtScoring is into the netball semicircle or a rectangular endzone5 players a sideStall count of 7

The small size of the court and the limited opportunities to cut, along with the lack of wind mean that throws differ a lot. Hammers, blades and other less-used throws are common.

Indoor ultimate can also be played continuous: just combine the rules of Indoor and Continuation.

4 on 4 is the newest version of Indoor play.

Beach

Beach ultimate is good for countries with lots of fine, sandy beaches and beautiful summer weather. Fortunately Australia is one of those countries. Beach ultimate has:

Smaller field - about half to two-thirds normal size5 players a sideStall count of 7

Running on sand is much more tiring than running on grass, so games are usually to 7, with a time cap of 30 minutes.The Beach Ultimate Lovers Association has the official rules of beach ultimate.