The game, explained
as simply as possible (taken from the site http://www.whatisultimate.com)
Ultimate is played
between two teams of seven players on a large rectangular pitch. A
line drawn across the pitch at either end creates two "endzones"
(like in American Football). These are the goal-scoring areas. A goal
is scored when a team completes a pass to a player standing (or more
likely running) in the endzone they are attacking.
The
Pitch
Players cannot
run with the disc. When you get the disc you must come to a stop and
try to throw it to another player (a bit like netball). By passing
from player to player, the offence attempts to work the disc up the
pitch towards the endzone they are attacking. If the disc hits the
ground or is intercepted or knocked down by the other team, then the
opposition takes possession (a change of possession is called a "turnover",
like American Football). Possession also changes if a receiver is
outside the playing area when he or she catches it.
The defending
team attempts to stop the team with the disc from making progress
upfield by marking them (as in soccer or basketball). The theory is
that the offence won't want to pass to a player who is being marked
closely, as it's likely to result in an interception. So it boils
down to the offence players trying to get free of their markers to
receive a pass, while the defence makes every effort to stay with
them in the hope of forcing a turnover.
Fouls
and "Spirit of the Game"
Ultimate is essentially
non-contact; any contact between players can be declared a foul. There's
a variety of other minor violations, but that's the big one.
Ultimate is unique
in that it is refereed by the players themselves, even at World Championship
level, according to a code of conduct known as "the Spirit of
the Game". This places the responsibility for fair play on the
players themselves. In that respect, playing Ultimate is a completely
different experience to playing other sports. And believe it or not,
Ultimate's system of self-refereeing works. Beautifully.