Rules Analysis
Fouls (3.C): It is the responsibility of all players to avoid contact in every way possible.
\- A receiver and their opponent contact each other and both call fouls against the other. 17.H.2 applies, and the disc is returned to the thrower and put into play with a check, with the count reached plus one or at six if over five. - Two different receiver-opponent pairs call fouls -- one against the offense and one against the defense -- while the disc is in the air, but before anyone starts trying to catch it. 17.H.3 applies in this case, even if the fouls occur several seconds apart. The disc is returned to the thrower and put into play with a check, with the count reached plus one or at six if over five. - The marker calls an offensive foul on the thrower during the throw, then later a receiver calls a defensive foul on a defender during the reception on an incomplete pass. The fouls are resolved in reverse sequence. First, the receiving foul is resolved (here, assumed uncontested), granting possession to the offensive receiver, then the throwing foul is resolved (here, assumed uncontested), returning the disc to the thrower with the count reached plus one (max nine). The earlier infraction (offensive foul on the thrower) takes precedence over the later infraction (defensive foul on the receiver), resulting in the disc returning to the original thrower.
Dangerous Play. Actions demonstrating reckless disregard for the safety of or posing a significant risk of injury to fellow players, or other dangerously aggressive behavior are considered "dangerous play" and are treated as a foul. The proper call in such circumstances is "dangerous play" and play stops. This rule is not superseded by any other rule.
Avoid contact in every way reasonably possible, while still playing ultimate. Some contact is inevitable, but players have an affirmative obligation to make reasonable efforts to avoid contact.
Dangerous play is considered a foul regardless of whether or when the disc arrives or contact occurs.
The following are non-exhaustive examples of dangerous play:
- significantly colliding with a mostly stationary opponent,
- jumping into a group of mostly stationary players,
- diving around or through a player that results in contact with a player's back or legs,
- running without looking when there is a likelihood of other players occupying the space into which the player is traveling,
- jumping or otherwise leaving the ground where it is likely that a significant collision will result,
- wild or uncontrolled throwing motions,
- initiating contact with a player's head,
- initiating contact with an airborne player's lower body that prevents them from landing on their feet, and
- jumping right in front of a sprinting player in a manner where contact is unavoidable
Resolution. If uncontested, a call of "dangerous play" is resolved as an analogous foul (e.g., if the call occurred while or immediately after the calling player was making a play on a disc in the air, it is treated as a Receiving Foul (17.I.4.b)). A player called for dangerous play may contest the call if they believe the call was incorrect (17.B).
A player is not required to hold their position and receive contact in order to call "dangerous play," but the mere possibility of contact is insufficient to justify a call. Furthermore, if the offending player stops or changes their path such that contact would not have occurred, contact was not "reasonably certain."
Dangerous Play. Actions demonstrating reckless disregard for the safety of or posing a significant risk of injury to fellow players, or other dangerously aggressive behavior are considered "dangerous play" and are treated as a foul. The proper call in such circumstances is "dangerous play" and play stops. This rule is not superseded by any other rule.
The following are non-exhaustive examples of dangerous play: