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Ultimate is a fabulous, high-energy sport that can be
enjoyed by people of all ages and disc-skills who don't mind a little
running and a lot of fun. The description below applies to the outdoor
version of the game. The indoor version, being on a smaller field, is
somewhat modified (a slightly smaller field and fewer players) but mostly
similar.
Picture, if you will, a playing field (usually grass,
but desperate teams will play on almost any surface) as follows:
On this playing field are two teams of seven players
each. The object of the game is for a team to pass the disc from player to
player, all the way up the field, and catch the disc in their end-zone,
which scores a point. Players cannot run with the disc, but must plant a
pivot foot (as in basketball) and throw the disc to a teammate. When
holding the disc, a player gets ten seconds to throw it to a teammate (five
or seven seconds indoors), which is counted off by the defender guarding
the offensive player (known as "marking" the thrower.) If the
disc isn't thrown in time, it's called a "stall" and the defense
takes over.
If the offensive team drops the disc, catches it out
of bounds, or fails to complete a pass because a defender somehow blocks
the pass, the other team picks up the disc where it lands and works to
score in the other direction. Defenders generally play either a man-to-man
or zone defense in their attempt to block a throw.
The game is non-contact - it's a foul to hit the
other player, or to hit the disc while it's being held. (Blocking the disc
right after it's thrown, known as a "point-block", is a very hot
play!) Nor can a defender be "picked" off the player being
guarded. Any play carried out with the main intent to prevent another
player from having a fair chance at catching the disc or making a defense
is considered a foul; in other words, you have to "play the disc, not
the person!"
Probably the most important part of Ultimate is known
as "The Spirit of the Game". This catch-phrase is used to
describe the respect that every player in the game has for his fellow
players. No referees are used in the game. Instead, each player does his
best to make an honest call if necessary, and trust the calls of his fellow
players, with the implicit assumption that nobody in Ultimate would try to
cheat.
This principle is what makes Ultimate special to so
many people, and all Ultimate players try to keep the Spirit alive by
maintaining this high level of trust, no matter how competitive the game
gets. If people cannot resolve their differences, people usually say
"back to the thrower", which allows play to continue on without
forcing the issue one way or another.
The best way to see how Ultimate is played is to go
watch a local tournament. Ultimate players share a great camaraderie, and
LOVE to introduce new players to the sport. So come on out and watch!
(borrowed from the rec.sport.disc
FAQ)
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