Source
r/ultimate•
_burnside

Unwritten Rules of Ultimate?

Last night at practice one of our better sophomores was “pitching” a perfect game, he didn’t have a single drop or throwaway all scrimmage (we think it went all the way back to warm ups too, but can’t be sure, it was definitely through drills). It’s not like he wasn’t a big part of the game or anything either, he had like two goals and three assists. Anyway, it was tied at the end and we were playing universe point, and his team was receiving the pull. The pull went out of bounds, and our best handler took it to the brick and threw a massive bomb to Mr. Perfect…right before he catches the score, one of our dumb freshmen yelled super loud in his ear MISS IT! And he bobbled it for the drop. Obviously, the captains all called time out and we discussed it over and awarded Mr. Perfect the catch and the game winning score, you don’t mess with perfection, right!? But my real question is on the unwritten rules of ultimate. A: what is the punishment to a player like the freshman who makes the idiot yelling foul? B: While we were playing, we kept talking about how great Mr. Perfect was playing, and could he make it the whole day without an Error. Should we have kept it to ourselves and only cheered once the game ended? FYI: we’re the unofficial B team of VERY well known D3 program if that makes a difference. Some of us are really ready to tryout next year and make some noise on the scene.

Posted Mar 17, 2016, 6:59 PM UTC

722
disco_zebra•

Unspirited? yes. Still not a goal though. Don't be a dick on the field but you're playing a sport and if you can't catch under pressure that's the way it goes.

16
inscrutably•

I've heard these kind of actions referred to as spirit fouls (mostly in jest), but I'm not sure if spirit fouls are real (no mention in 11th edition rules, at least by that name) and I'm certain that I don't think they should be. Agreed that it's still a drop.

3
TheBoneweasel•

almost sure they aren't real although I have seen one called in person. it was a similar scenario to the one op described. Really embarrassing that my teammate called it even though yelling at him was a shitty thing to do

0
gbrell•

It's actually a written violation.

Spirit of the Game: Ultimate relies upon a spirit of sportsmanship that places the responsibility for fair play on the player. Highly competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of mutual respect among competitors, adherence to the agreed upon rules, or the basic joy of play. Protection of these vital elements serves to eliminate unsportsmanlike conduct from the Ultimate field. Such actions as taunting opposing players, dangerous aggression, belligerent intimidation, intentional infractions, or other win-at-all-costs behavior are contrary to the spirit of the game and must be avoided by all players.

15
shuxkcds•

I've always heard of this rule, but have never seen it written out.

What are the consequences for this violation?

1
gbrell•

It's a violation (can't be a foul because there is no contact).

Therefore, the continuation rule applies. If there was a turnover and the infraction affected the play, disc goes back to the thrower. Otherwise, play on. It's still possible, despite the infraction, that the calling player decides that the violation didn't cause him to drop the disc. Similar resolution to IV.E (which covers throwing hats, also illegal).

2
pooner16•

Good question. With observers, what kind of MF would be given, or would one?
. . more often than not, the consequence is just some variety of shame. maybe reputation. but those aren't really legal consequences re. rules.. *wait, oh there are.

EDIT: Thanks /gbrell, there are indeed rules consequences in that it is treated as a Violation with Continuation Rule, great to know

1
anthoang•

Ultimate can't become one of the major sports until heckling is allowed. ;)

1
willdoc•

I.B.'s prohibition on dangerous aggression, belligerent intimidation, intentional infractions and win-at-all-cost behavior covers yelling in someone's ear.

As for unwritten rules, you don't talk about someone on a turnover free streak until they have a turnover or the end tournament. The reason for this is so you don't clue in the opposition or people on your own team to make bad decisions, because perfect.

11
Liface•

Aren't you guys a masters team? Or is this your kid posting? I'm so confused.

7
mdotbeezy•

If I recall, that was actually a written rule in the 10th Edition days - attempting to distract or deceive your opponent (such as yelling "strike" as you cut breakside, or "miss it!" like in your example). I don't see it now and maybe my memory is apocryphal, but I'd absolutely call violation if it were me in that scenario.

1
gbrell•

Outside of I.B, II.C provides a specific example.

Defensive player: 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.

2
OrpheusRoye71•

You don't bunt on a man's perfect game.

0
casentlacoupeEUPA•

Certainly frowned upon to do something like that, but not worth the 'punishment' being a score.

Just tell the guy not to do that again.

Now, while it is frowned upon, I wonder how much of this happens at the highest levels. I would imagine it's not uncommon for players to try to use that kind of psychological trick. Plant some doubt in a player's head, maybe s/he makes a critical error.

-2
Mhudspith•

I've never seen this happen at a high level. I've only experienced it when freshman/new players are trying to be cheeky.

4
casentlacoupeEUPA•

Fair enough. I don't play anywhere near the highest levels.

1
everyonesoverrated•

oh man, this irked me more and more until you said that you're a b team of a d3 program. I was about to ask about the level of your team because I feel like at practices for most teams, at least 5 or 6 people will go without any turnovers, and that's underballing hard. It's completely understandable to be excited for a player in that situation to not have a turnover all practice. Props to them and hopefully they get the call-up soon.

In terms of "yelling fouls" or "spirit fouls," neither of those exist with any sort of penalty aside from possibly a tmf from an observer. If you yell at someone who's about to catch it and they shit their pants and drop it, that's a drop. If yelling at someone is a foul, Ultimate Frisbee has no legitimacy as a sport.

-6
pooner16•

If yelling at someone is a foul, Ultimate Frisbee has no legitimacy as a sport.

Please go on. If Ultimate call this a foul, how does that deny legitimacy?

2
everyonesoverrated•

what other sports have negative repercussions for yelling?

0†
pooner16•

a) I'm not totally sure, but Golf or Billiards might come to mind? Or chess if you buy it.

b) Even if it were true that no on other sports have negative repurcussions for yelling, I'm not sure that "all other sports" is the way to determine legitimacy. No other sports use a disc either. I'm looking for something along the lines of: the act of yelling is distinct from what constitutes a completed pass, therefore is irrelevant and shouldn't be a factor and if it is a factor "legitimacy" is compromised.

Is that what you're thinking though?

3
everyonesoverrated•

Yeah i was thinking golf or bowling, but i question the legitimacy of those as sports anyways. When it comes down to it, everyone has a different opinion of what defines a "legitimate sport." I just thought it's silly that a foul could be called for yelling during a catch. I mean could you imagine every time a defender in the nfl yelled at his mark when they were about to catch a pass was flagged? Haha i'm sure almost everyone would be penalized. It's tough to compare frisbee to other sports because it is so different from most, but it seems silly to me in a sport to have penalties for making noise at the wrong time

0
tgrundK-State, MSP, Bird•

I believe football has penalties for the defense trying to yell a false snap count.

3