Official Rules of Ultimate · 2026-2027
3. Definitions
Quiz me on this section →3.A.
Best perspective: The most complete view available by a player that includes the relative positions of the disc, ground, players, and line markers involved in a play. On an unlined field, this may require sighting from one field marker to another. Best perspective always belongs to a player. However, players may rely on the following sources as a component of best perspective: If no player has sufficient perspective to make a call, the disc should revert to the thrower (in the case of in-bounds/out-of-bounds and up/down disputes) or remain with the receiver on the end zone line (in the case of goal/non-goal disputes).
3.A.1.
Players may seek the perspective of sideline players to clarify the rules and to assist players in making the appropriate call. Players may seek the perspective of coaches to clarify a rule, but not to assist in making the appropriate call.
3.A.1.a.
Sideline players should not offer their perspective unless solicited by a player. However, a sideline player may offer perspective without being asked by a player if the perspective offered is to the detriment of the sideline player’s team.
3.A.2.
Players may review officially-designated video footage to assist in resolving a call where such footage is available. However, play may not be delayed to review video footage.
3.D.
Guarding: A defender is guarding an offensive player when they are within 10 feet of that offensive player and are reacting to that offensive player.
3.E.
Incidental contact: Contact between opposing players that does not affect continued play.
3.F.
Legal position: A position established by a marker that does not violate any of the provisions outlined in 16.
3.G.
Line: A boundary defining the playing areas. On an unlined field, the boundary is an imaginary line segment between two field markers with the thickness of said markers. Line segments are not extrapolated beyond the defining markers.
3.H.
Pivot: The particular part of the body in continuous contact with a single spot on the field during a thrower’s possession once the thrower has come to a stop or has attempted a throw or fake. When there is a definitive spot for putting the disc into play, the part of the body in contact with that spot is the pivot.
3.I.
Possession of the disc: Sustained contact with, and control of, a non-spinning disc.
3.I.1.
Catching a pass is equivalent to establishing possession of that pass.
3.I.2.
If a player loses possession of a disc during movement related to a catch, the initial possession ends.
3.I.3.
On a throw, the thrower’s possession ends when they are no longer in contact with the disc.
3.I.4.
A disc in a player’s possession is considered part of that player.
3.I.5.
The team whose player is in possession, or whose players may pick up the disc, is considered the team in possession. If the disc is in the air following a legal pass, the thrower’s team is considered the team in possession.
3.I.6.
If offensive and defensive players catch the disc simultaneously, the offensive player retains possession and becomes the thrower.
3.J.
Pull: The throw from one team to the other that starts play at the beginning of a half or after a goal. It is not a legal pass for scoring and has many special provisions (Section 9). The player on the pulling team who possesses the disc and signals readiness is the puller. The pulling team may designate a new puller at any time before the pull.
3.K.
Scoring attempt: A scoring attempt starts at the beginning of the game or when the previous goal is scored and ends when the next goal is scored.
3.L.
State of the disc: The nature of play at a particular moment during the game. There are three states of the disc:
3.L.1.
A disc is “in play” when players are allowed to move and play may proceed without the defense’s acknowledgment. An in-bounds disc in the central zone is in play. The disc is subject to a turnover. If no player has possession of a disc in play, any offensive player may become the thrower by taking possession of the disc (10.B). Once a player has possession of the disc, they must establish a pivot at the spot of the disc (10.B.2) prior to attempting a pass (18.D).
3.L.2.
A disc is “live” when players are allowed to move and the disc is subject to a turnover, but the thrower cannot make a legal pass (e.g., walking the disc to the spot where it is to be put into play). For a live disc to be put into play, the thrower must (1) establish a pivot at the appropriate spot on the field, and (2) touch the disc to the ground (10.C).
3.M.
Stoppage of play: Any halting of play due to a call, discussion, or timeout that requires a check or self-check to restart play. The term “play stops” means a stoppage of play occurs.
3.N.
Throw: A disc in flight following any throwing motion (including a fake) that results in the thrower losing contact with the disc.
3.N.1.
A pass is equivalent to a throw.
3.N.2.
An intentionally dropped disc is considered a thrown disc. An accidentally dropped (falling, non-spinning) disc is not a throw.
3.N.3.
An accidentally released, spinning flying disc is a throw, not a dropped disc.
3.N.4.
The act of throwing is the motion that transfers momentum from the thrower to the disc in the direction of flight and results in a throw. Pivots and wind-ups are not part of the act of throwing.
3.N.5.
A throw is complete when any catch results in the team in possession of the disc retaining possession. Any throw that is not complete is incomplete.
3.O.
Thrower: An offensive player in possession of, or who has most recently possessed, the disc, is the thrower.
3.P.
Violation: Any infraction of the rules other than a foul.
3.Q.
Roles
3.Q.1.
Captain: A team member, who is eligible to participate in the game, and has been designated to represent the team in decision-making on behalf of the team before, during, and after a game.
3.Q.2.
Coach: A team member who has been officially recognized by event organizers to have met the requirements necessary for coaching, including but not limited to certification, screening, education, and registration. Coaches are permitted in areas where sideline players are allowed, during and between points, in accordance with event rules. Coaches are not permitted to make calls or contribute to the discussion or resolution of calls, except to clarify rules if requested.
3.Q.3.
Defensive player/Defender: A player whose team is not in possession of the disc. A defensive player may not pick up a live disc or a disc in play or call for a pass from the thrower.
3.Q.4.
Event organizer: The person(s) or entity organizing and responsible for a competition, whether it is a tournament, tournament series, league, single game, or other type of event. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to competition rules, safety, event registration and event logistics.
3.Q.5.
Event support staff: Event support staff are officially designated personnel assigned by the event organizers to cover a wide variety of positions and responsibilities associated with an event, including but not limited to medical staff, scorekeepers, security, media, field crew, and other paid or volunteer positions. Vendors, sponsors, and business partners may also be designated as event support staff by the event organizer. Event support staff do not have additional duties or permissions beyond those specifically assigned by the event organizer.
3.Q.6.
Marker: The defensive player within ten feet of the thrower’s pivot or of the thrower if no pivot has been established. If the disc is not in a player’s possession, a defensive player within ten feet of a spot on the field where the disc is to be put into play is considered the marker.
3.Q.7.
Non-player: Any person who is not a player or sideline player as defined in these rules.
3.Q.8.
Observer: Observers are non-player game officials whose job is to support the players in implementing a safe, fair, and efficient game. Observers carefully watch the action of the game, assist with communication, help uphold self-officiating and the Spirit of the Game, assist with resolving calls as needed, and perform other duties as described in Section 22.
3.Q.9.
Offensive player: A player whose team is in possession of the disc.
3.Q.10.
Player: One of the up to fourteen (14) persons who are participating in the current point of play.
3.Q.11.
Sideline player: Any team member who is present at the field and eligible to participate in the game, but who is not a player participating in the current point.
3.Q.13.
Spirit captain: A team member, who is eligible to participate in the game, and has been designated to address, discuss, and resolve spirit issues at any point throughout the competition with opponents, teammates, coaches, and game or event officials. If no spirit captain is designated, this role is assigned to the captain(s).
3.Q.14.
Team member: Any person designated by the team, to the event organizer, to be officially associated with the team, per the rules established by the event organizer.
3.Q.15.
Team support staff: A team member who has been officially recognized by event organizers to be a member of the team for a specific support purpose. Team support staff are generally permitted in areas where sideline players are allowed, but may be further restricted by event rules.