Officials have the power to enforce the rules on or outside the entire playing field, even if the game is stopped.

After a foul, an official will: (1) whistle, (2) signal and announce the specific foul, (3) announce the offending team when appropriate, (4) signal the direction of yardage or new direction of attack, (5) ensure the player takes possession at the new spot, and (6) whistle to restart play. If a player throws the disc before the whistle to restart play, it is a delay of game penalty.

If an official erroneously whistles during play, play shall stop. An official shall whistle to restart play once the thrower has the disc.

Officials may suspend play for any unusual circumstance.

The following calls or situations can specifically be rectified by the head official (this list is not complete, as officials can invoke the elastic power): In bounds vs. out of bounds; goal vs. no goal; up vs. down; foul vs. no foul; identifying the player that committed a foul; stall counts; and determining when a timeout occurred.

Officials are considered physically neutral and are treated as air if a player or disc makes contact with them. They are neither in nor out of bounds.