Purpose

FWUPA developed this handbook to help players and captains enjoy the best and safest possible experience in our leagues.

Poobah

The league will have at least one Poobah on duty each week.  The Poobah will:

• Record scores
• Handle differences upon which the captains cannot agree
• Assist with any issues beyond the captains’ scope
• Stop games due to inclement weather, such as heavy rain or lightning

Captains should report any unusual circumstances the league poobah, including serious arguments, fights, or injuries on the field.

Game Rules

Games will be played according the Official Rules of Ultimate: 11th Edition.

The game score and gender ratio will be league specific.

Spirit of the Game

Captains and players must ensure their team exhibits the utmost Spirit.

From the Preface of USA UItimate Official Rules of Ultimate: 11th Edition:  "The integrity of Ultimate depends on each player's responsibility to uphold the Spirit of the Game, and this responsibility should remain paramount."

From Section 1. Introduction, item B. "Spirit of the Game. Ultimate relies upon a spirit of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on the player. Highly competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of mutual respect among competitors, adherence to the agreed upon rules, or the basic joy of play. Protection of these vital elements serves to eliminate unsportsmanlike conduct from the Ultimate field. Such actions as taunting opposing players, dangerous aggression, belligerent intimidation, intentional infractions, or other 'win-at-all-costs' behavior are contrary to the Spirit of the Game and must be avoided by all players."

Ten Things You Should Know About Spirit of the Game

(credit to http://www.usaultimate.org/about/ultimate/spirit_of_the_game.aspx)

1. The golden rule: treat others as you would want to be treated.

Spirited games result from mutual respect among opponents. Assume the best of your opponent. Give him or her the benefit of a doubt. You would want the same for yourself. But if you are thick-skinned, do not assume that your opponent is. Maybe you should think of this rule as, "treat others as you would have them treat your mother."

2. Control: SOTG (Spirit of the Game) takes real effort.

SOTG is not just some abstract principle that everyone adopts and then games run smoothly without effort. Close calls are made in tight games. Hard fouls are committed. SOTG is about how you handle yourself under pressure: how you contain your emotionality, tame your temper, and modulate your voice. If you initiate or contribute to the unraveling of spirit, the concept falls apart quickly. If you act to mend things (or at least not exacerbate the situation) by following (1) above, the game heals itself.

3. Heckling and taunting are different.

Ultimate has a long tradition of good-natured heckling. Heckles are friendly barbs, typically from non-playing spectators. Heckling can be fun, but taunting is unspirited and wrong. Harassing remarks after an opponent's foul call or close play are NOT heckling: they are abusive taunts which create unpleasant playing conditions and often escalate to acrimonious disputes.

4. SOTG is compatible with championship play.

It is a fallacy to argue that the stakes are so important that some aspect of SOTG can be cast aside. Time and again, great teams and star players have shown that you can bring all your competitive and athletic zeal to a game without sacrificing fair play or respect for your opponent.

5. Don't "give as you got."

There is no "eye for an eye." If you are wronged, you have no right to wrong someone in return. In the extreme case where you were severely mistreated, you may bring the issue up with a captain, tournament director, or even lodge a complaint with the governing body. If you retaliate in kind, however, a complaint may be filed against you. We recall point (1): treat others as you would have them treat you, not as they have treated you. In the end, you are responsible for you.

6. Breathe.

After a hard foul, close call, or disputed play, take a step back, pause, and take a deep breath. In the heat of competition, emotions run high. By giving yourself just a bit of time and space, you will gain enough perspective to compose yourself and concentrate on the facts involved in the dispute (was she in or out; did you hit his hand or the disc; did that pick affect the play). Your restraint will induce a more restrained response from your opponent. Conflagration averted, you may resume business as usual.

7. When you do the right thing, people notice.

When you turn the other cheek, you know you've done the right thing. You may not hear praise, there may be no standing ovation, but people do notice. Eventually, their respect for you and their appreciation of the game will grow.

8. Be generous with praise.

Compliment an opponent on her good catch. Remark to a teammate that you admire his honesty in calling himself out of bounds. Look players in the eye and congratulate them when you shake their hands after a game. These small acts boost spirit greatly, a large payoff for little time and effort.

9. Impressions linger.

Not only does the realization that your actions will be remembered for a long time serve to curb poor behavior, it can also inspire better conduct. Many old-timers enjoy the experience of meeting an elite player who remembers their first rendezvous on the field and recalls the event in detail. A good first encounter with an impressionable young player can have considerable long term positive impact.

10. Have fun.

All other things being equal, games are far more fun without the antipathy. Go hard. Play fair. Have fun.

Orientation Checklist

Captains should review the following with their team during orientation at the beginning of the season:

1. Name of Poobah.
2. Name of captain.
3. Circle the team and ask each player to introduce themselves.
4. Target score to win the game and number of time outs.
5. Gender rules.
6. Strengths of each player and their expected field role (handler, middle, deep).
7. Comments and criticisms are voiced first to the captain, then may be escalated to the Poobah.
8. Appropriate methods of praise and criticism.
9. It’s the player’s responsibility to notify their captain about too little playing time.
10. Any player may stop the game if they notice an unsafe condition.

Disputes

Captains make the final call regarding disputes between players.  Any argument that cannot be resolved among players should be handled between the captains.  Captains should calmly resolve arguments, especially when a heated debate has begun between players.

Praise and Criticism

Players and captains should follow the motto:  “Be lavish with praise and stingy with criticism.”

Players and captains are encouraged to build upon each other’s strengths.  This is a time tested method of creating the most successful as well the happiest players.  This is opposed to attempting to develop a player’s weaknesses and turn them into strengths.

Players are encouraged to first discuss comments and concerns with their captain.  Captains should also inform their players about the poobah’s contact information in case any players wish to escalate comments or concerns.

Field Roles

Captains should make the players of their team aware of the roles expected of each person on the field.  This includes deciding about who will handle and receive, and who will play mostly offensive and defensive points.

Learning field roles also include learning about balancing the lines to ensure your team always plays a balanced offense or defense.

Captains should take extra care with new players to ensure they know what to expect in terms playing time and the contribution they should expect to deliver.  Captains should also take care to provide orientation to the rules, basic offensive strategy, and basic defensive strategy.

Safety

It is each player’s responsibility to avoid injury.  This includes playing in a safe mannger, drinking enough water to avoid dehydration, wearing sunscreen, and stopping play to avoid furthering an existing injury.

Captains and players should monitor field conditions to ensure safety including filling holes that might cause injuries and removing objects from the field and surrounding area that might cause injury when collided with or landed upon.  Captains and players should also ensure fixed objects, spectators, guests, children, pets, etc. are a safe distance from the field before commencing play.  Play should be stopped instantly when an unsafe condition is identified and remain stopped until corrected.

Managing Player Field Time

Captains should ensure the correct players take the field to provide the competitive matching against the opposing team.

Captains should ensure the players on their team receive equal playing time.  Equal playing time should be provided regardless of the competitive nature of the game.

Captains are encouraged to check with players regularly to see if they feel equal time is being received.

While captains will do their best to manage playing time, it is each player’s responsibility to notify their captain in they feel too little playing time is received.

Pre-Game Communication

Captains should communicate with their teams the day before each game, preferably via email, to notify them about game schedules including field numbers and game status.

Cheering

One of the most unique aspects of Ultimate is the post-game cheer.   It is reminiscent of “three cheers for (our opponents) hip-hip-hoorah”, but is taken to an entirely different level.  This is commonly done after Ultimate games around the world, from sandlot games to World Championships alike.  Although the basic concept of a salute, thank-you, gesture of friendship and camaraderie to the opposing team, is the same, the actual practice varies widely.  Friendship circles form after games to discuss play and bond.  Rhymes, limericks and songs are made up and performed to the other team, the content of which is based on the game just played. Although this is a new concept for many players, it adds to the fun, camaraderie and especially the Spirit of the Game.  This is not a mandatory part of the game but it is highly encouraged as a post-game celebration at all levels. (Credit to http://www.bcdss.bc.ca/ultimate/MODS_Coaching_Manual.pdf)

Captain’s Authority

Captains have the authority to deny playing time to any player in order to promote a positive playing experience for other players.  The most common reasons this might occur include excessive arguing, fighting, excessive negative criticisms, illegal behavior, or unsafe behavior.

Captains may override league and official ultimate rules as agreed upon between both captains if doing so does not compromise safety or spirit of the game.  Common examples include adjusting start and stop times, gender ratio, and scoring totals.