Rules Analysis
The entire playing field is in-bounds. The perimeter lines are not part of the playing field and are out-of-bounds. All non-players are part of the out-of-bounds area.
The out-of-bounds area consists of the area which is not in-bounds and everything in contact with it, except for defensive players, who are always considered "in-bounds" for purposes of making a play on the disc.
An offensive player who is not out-of-bounds is in-bounds.
What:
The 'Greatest': An offensive player realises that they cannot catch the disc in-bounds and jumps from an in-bounds position, catches the disc and throws it before they land out-of-bounds. Result: This is a valid pass.
Why:
Rule 11.3.1. states that an airborne player who jumped from in-bounds is still in-bounds. This lasts until the player lands out-of-bounds and by that time the player has already released the disc. Therefore, the disc is not out. A player is allowed to throw the disc while in the air, according to rule 18.2.1.1. Extra: A player may not catch their own "greatest" throw. That is a turnover (13.2.5). If there is a contested call regarding the catch after a "greatest", the player who threw the "greatest" should be treated as the last thrower. They should establish a pivot at the point on the field closest to where they released the disc (or on the goal line if this would result in a pivot in their attacking end zone).
A disc becomes out-of-bounds when it first contacts the out-of-bounds area or contacts an out-of-bounds offensive player. A disc in the possession of an offensive player has the same in/out-of-bounds status as that player. If the disc is simultaneously in the possession of more than one offensive player, one of them being out-of-bounds, the disc is out-of-bounds.
The disc may fly outside a perimeter line and return to the playing field, and players may go out-of-bounds to make a play on the disc.
Note:
Players are allowed to leave the playing field to make a play on the disc and may enter the field at any point. However it is a turnover if an offensive player jumps from out-of-bounds and contacts the disc before they contact the playing field (Rule 11.3.1/ 11.5/ 12.3.1). Extra: It is bad spirit to intentionally leave the playing field and use players/objects on the sideline to disguise your location.
The place where a disc went out-of-bounds is the spot where, prior to contacting an out-of-bounds area or player, the disc was most recently:
What:
A long throw from the sideline doesn't come back in field. Where do you set your pivot correctly and continue to play?
Result:
A defender is always in bounds when making a play on the disc (11.2). This means that if a defender touches the disc whilst out of bounds -- the disc is then played from nearest point on the central zone (11.7.2).
Note:
if a defender hits the disc but the wind takes the disc back in field - the disc is still live. Offensive players can become out of bounds (11.5). This means in the same situation if offence touches the disc first then it is a turnover and the disc goes back to where it crossed the perimeter line (i.e. was last in-bounds). (11.7.1). If an offensive player jumps from in-bounds and touches the disc before landing, then that establishes a point where the disc was in-bounds. If this results in a turnover ,without the receiver ever establishing possession, the disc will come into play at the point nearest to where the offensive player touched the disc. If the receiver catches the pass and throws it while in the air, and the disc lands in-bounds, then that establishes the disc as being back in-bounds.
Note:
If players who had good perspective on the play cannot agree on where the disc went out-of-bounds, the mid point between the two proposed locations should be used.
Extra:
If a defender jumps, intercepts a pass, and then lands out-of-bounds, this is not a "double turnover" - the defender still retains possession.
If the disc is out-of-bounds and more than three (3) metres from the pivot point, non-players may retrieve the disc. The thrower must carry the disc the last three (3) metres to the playing field.
What:
A non-player retrieves an out-of-bounds disc and returns it to the thrower who is standing on the perimeter line
Result:
Rule 11.8 allows non-players to retrieve the disc, however the thrower must carry the disc the last 3 metres. Therefore the thrower should walk 3 metres away from the field and then return. They may then establish a pivot at the correct spot and continue play.
Extra:
If the thrower commences play without going 3 metres away the opposition may call violation and play will restart with a check.
However if the opposition does not feel they have been disadvantaged by the disc being returned to the thrower, they can allow play to continue.
Non-players may also stop an out-of-bounds rolling disc that is more than 3 metres from the pivot point.
The team in possession may choose to substitute a disc if the disc is out-of-bounds, and it will save time to substitute it. The thrower must still carry the disc the last 3 metres to the field.
Note:
Non-players should not intentionally touch a disc until it has become out-of-bounds.