What is Ultimate Frisbee?

Ultimate is a fast-paced, non-contact team sport played on a 120-yard field. To score, the offensive team attempts to pass the disc until it is caught in the defending team's endzone. Running with the disc is not allowed; upon catching the disc the player must stop, establish a pivot foot and attempt to pass the disc to a teammate. Incomplete passes and interceptions are turnovers and play immediately reverses direction. All players act as throwers, receivers and defenders. Games are to a set number of points (usually between 11-21) and each goal counts for a single point.

Ultimate is packed with exciting action; players diving horizontally (laying out) to catch or block a pass; opponents leaping several feet in the air to make spectacular catches; rapid-fire short passes; 70 yard throws (hucks) to a player striking towards the endzone; and aggressive markers preventing throwers from making a good throw.

Ultimate can be compared to many sports; the field layout is similar to football; you use a pivot foot as in basketball; it has the non-stop movement of soccer or hockey. But most importantly, Ultimate has many unique features.

Spirit of the Game

At every level of the game, from recreational leagues to World Championship play, 'SPIRIT OF THE GAME' is of vital importance to Ultimate.


To quote from the World Flying Disc Federation Rules: Article IV - Ultimate©1994:

"Ultimate has traditionally relied upon a spirit of sportsmanship which places the responsibility for fair play on the individual player himself. Highly competitive play is encouraged but never at the expense of mutual respect between players, adherence to the agreed-upon rules of the game or the basic joy of play. It is assumed that no ultimate player will intentionally violate the rules; there are no harsh penalties for inadvertant infractions but, rather, a method for resuming play in a manner which simulates what would most likely have occurred had there been no infraction.The purpose of the rules of Ultimate is to provide a guideline which describes the way the game is played."

No Referees

Since it is assumed that players will not intentionally break the rules, it is not considered necessary to have officials. If players feel that they have been fouled or that they have committed a foul they simply call 'foul.' The same is true for violations such as travelling and picks. The player who is deemed to have committed the foul or violation may disagree with the call by saying 'contest.' There are various mechanisms for resuming play depending on what the calls are. Even at the highest levels of play, when emotions are running high and competitiveness has taken hold of even the most mild-mannered of players, there are no referees to make calls. Self-officiation is integral to the spirit of the game and the very nature of Ultimate.

Click here to use this map to find other Ultimate organizations throughout Ontario!