3. Gameplay

Player Notes

The Thrower

• Any member of the offensive team may take possession of the disc.
• The thrower must establish a pivot foot and may not change that pivot foot until the throw is released. For right handed throwers this is usually the left foot and for left handed throwers, it is the right foot.
• The thrower may pivot in any direction, but once the marker has established a legal defensive position, the thrower may not pivot into him/her.

The Marker

• Only one player may guard the thrower at any one time; that player is the “marker.”
• The marker may not straddle the pivot foot of the thrower.
• There must be at least one disc’s diameter between the bodies of the thrower and the marker at all times.
• The marker cannot position his/her arms in such a manner as to restrict the thrower from pivoting.
• Stall count: The period of time within which a thrower must release a throw.
• A player in possession of the disc has 10 seconds to release a throw.
• The marker must be within 10 feet of the person with the disc before beginning the stall count.
• The stall count consists of the marker counting to 10 audibly at one second intervals (e.g. “stalling one, two, three . . . .”).
• If the thrower has not released the disc by the count of 10, a turnover results. If this call is disputed, the thrower gets the disc back with the stall count coming in at “stalling 8.”
• If the defense switches markers, the new marker must restart the count at one.

The Receiver

• After catching a pass, the receiver may take only the fewest number of steps required to come to a stop and establish a pivot foot.
• Exception: If the receiver catches the disc while running, s/he may throw a pass without coming to a stop, but only so long as s/he releases the disc before the third ground contact after catching the disc. Also, you must keep your momentum in the same direction and same speed.
• If offensive and defensive players catch the disc simultaneously, the offense retains possession.

Fouls and Violations

A foul is the result of physical contact between opposing players; a violation generally is any other infraction of the rules. When an infraction (a foul or violation) occurs:

• The offending player loudly calls out the infraction (e.g., “Travel,” “Foul,” etc.).
• A player called for an infraction may contest that call (by loudly calling “contest”), if that player believes that s/he did not commit the infraction.
• After a call, play stops and ALL players remain stationary until the parties involved have resolved the call.
• If a call is not disputed, play resumes in a way simulating what most likely would have occurred without the infraction.For example:
   1) If a thrower was fouled while throwing and the pass was incomplete, the thrower gets the disc back with a new stall count.2) If a receiver is fouled on a reception attempt and the pass is incomplete, the receiver gets the disc at the point that the foul occurred.
• If a call is disputed and the players cannot come to a resolution, the play is redone with each player returning to the position s/he occupied when the disputed infraction allegedly occurred.

Infractions include:

• Foul: Contact between opposing players. However, realistically there is an acceptable amount of contact that occurs. Some players are more likely to call fouls that others, based on their own interpretation of the rules.
• Fast count: When the marker counts at intervals of less than one second.
• Double-team: When more than one defensive player is guarding the thrower within 10 feet.
• Disc space: If the marker touches or is less than one disc diameter away from the thrower.
• Travel: When a thrower fails to establish a pivot foot at the appropriate spot on the field, and/or to keep in contact with that spot until the throw is released.
• Strip: When a defensive player knocks the disc out of a thrower’s hands.
• Pick: Obstructing the movement of a player on the opposing team.

Positioning

•  Each player is entitled to occupy any position on the field not occupied by another player.
• Picks: No player may establish a position, or move in such a manner, so as to obstruct the movement of any player on the opposing team; to do so is a pick. It is important to note, a pick can occur with anyone on the field regardless of offense or defense.
• When the disc is in the air, players must play the disc, not the opponent.
• Each player has the right to the space immediately above him/her. A player who has jumped is entitled to land at the same point of take off without hindrance by opponents.

Forfeits

• Game time is forfeit time. All teams must be signed in and ready to play at game time in order to not receive a forfeit. The supervisor’s watch is the official game time on the field.
• In order to claim forfeit, a team must have the correct number of players present (minimum of 5) and be ready to play.
• If neither team is able to field a team, a double forfeit will be declared.

Player Conduct

The following are acts of unsportsmanlike conduct that will result in a player(s) being ejected from the game:

• Unnecessary roughness
• Arguing with the Game Official
• Fighting
• Abusive language directed towards officials/opponents

The above conduct will result in penalties including:

• Warning: For unintentional unsportsmanlike conduct
• Ejection: For intentional unsportsmanlike conduct or following the issuance of a warning for a particular individual.