Rules Analysis
USAU 2020-21 Rules
17. Violations and Fouls
17
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17.I
I
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Fouls (3.C): It is the responsibility of all players to avoid contact in every way possible.

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.

17.I.1
1
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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 This rule is not superseded by any other rule.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:

  • 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
17.I.1.a
a
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Dangerous play is considered a foul regardless of whether or when the disc arrives or contact occurs.

This rule was changed from the previous rulebook version
This rule was added from the previous rulebook version
This rule has updates in the next rulebook version
17.I.1.a.1

The vast majority of dangerous play will involve contact between players. However, contact is not required for a player to invoke this rule where there is reasonable certainty that contact would have occurred had the player not taken steps to avoid contact.

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."

Related
Versions
Cross-Rulebook
17.I.1.a.1
Children
17.I.1.a.1
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