What are the basic rules of Ultimate Frisbee? How to play Ultimate Frisbee

What are the basic rules of Ultimate Frisbee? How to play Ultimate Frisbee

Steve Njuguna
July 19, 2023 at 4:51 PM

Ultimate Frisbee is a game that involves the throwing and catching of flying discs. The game originated in the USA and is now played globally. Today, we discuss the basic rules of Ultimate Frisbee and how the game is played.

William Maessen
William Maessen of Toronto Rush practices an Ultimate Frisbee jump. Photo: Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star
Source: Getty Images

The game was invented in 1968 by Joel Silver in Maplewood, New Jersey. At the time, Joel was a high school student at Columbia High School, and within the next two years, the game spread to nearby high schools in New Jersey, culminating in a four-team regional league. Just like other sports like basketball and baseball, the new sport ended up requiring some ground rules.

Who invented the rules of Ultimate Frisbee?

The flying disc that was used for the initial games of Frisbee was patented by Ed Headrick in 1966. Joel Silver and his friends invented the game Ultimate Frisbee, but the creation of the first and second editions of the rules is attributed to Buzzy Hellring and John Hines, with Silver also giving some input. They set the foundation for the rules currently played in many high school and collegiate games.

How did Ultimate Frisbee get its name?

The name Frisbee comes from William Frisbie, who owned a bakery named the Frisbie Pie company that sold pastries to students at Yale University. The relation to the game came from Yale students throwing around empty pie tins from the Frisbie company around campus.

Ultimate Frisbee
Middle school children and teachers in Washington play a game of Frisbee. Photo by Matt McClain/For The Washington Post
Source: Getty Images

The rules of Ultimate Frisbee explained

Ultimate Frisbee is broken down into 10 simple rules:

1. The Pull

The pull is the initial tip-off at the beginning of the game. It is decided by a coin toss, similar to a kickoff in American football.

2. Scoring

To score in Frisbee, a player must catch the disc in the end zone of the opposing team. After a score, the teams switch sides and score on opposite zones. The first team to achieve 15 scores wins the game.

3. Fouls

Ultimate Frisbee has no referees. The players are required to be disciplined and play fair to each other. Here is the list of the five rules of Ultimate Frisbee when it comes to fouls:

1. The offending player loudly calls out the infraction.

2. A player called for an infraction may contest that call if that player believes that they did not commit the infraction.

3. After a call, play stops, and players remain stationary until the parties involved have resolved the call.

4. If a call is not disputed, play resumes in a way simulating what most likely would have occurred without the infraction.

5. If a call is disputed and the players cannot come to a resolution, the play is done again, with each player returning to the position the player occupied when the disputed infraction allegedly occurred.

Frisbee dive
Frisbee players at Macquarie University practice. Photo by Fairfax Media
Source: Getty Images

4. Travelling

A player is not allowed to run with the Frisbee in hand, and this is known as travelling. Every player is given a 3-step allowance, but after that, they have to pass the ball. This is the first of the three most significant rules of ultimate frisbee, alongside rules 7 and 8.

5. Boundaries

The game is played on a rectangular field with dimensions of approximately 100 by 40 metres. The end zone measures 64 by 18 metres.

6. Substitutions/ Injuries

Substitutions can be made any time the disc is out of play. An injured player can be substituted. The other team will also have a right to make a substitution once your injured player is substituted.

7. Catching the disc

The disc can be caught by both hands or a single hand, but it is only legal if you are within the boundaries of the pitch. This is one of the three main rules of Ultimate Frisbee.

8. Throwing the disc

The disc can be thrown using a forehand or backhand technique similar to what happens in tennis. An offensive player is not allowed to kick or knee the frisbee.

9. Spirit of the game

The spirit of the game is a key cornerstone in the official rules of ultimate frisbee. Players are expected to hold themselves to high levels of sportsmanship and avoid indiscipline and rash behaviour.

10. Ten-second rule

The ten-second rule dictates that a player who has possession of the frisbee cannot hold it for more than 10 seconds. This allows the pace of the game to remain high and tasks players to get open so they can receive the pass.

Frisbee has found popularity in the past few decades because of how easy it is to learn. Many people who play at home with friends and family can now enjoy the game further by learning the rules of Ultimate Frisbee.

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Steve Njuguna
Steve Njuguna is a media professional with close to a decade of experience in the sports media industry. He has previously worked as a sports journalist with Bamba Sports TV, Vybez Radio and The Nairobian newspaper.