Fouls (XVI.I page 26-27) 

What is a foul? (XVI.I #1-5)

• A foul is the result of physical contact between opposing players that affects the outcome of the play.
• It is everyone’s responsibility to avoid contact.
• Generally, the player initiating the contact is guilty of the foul.
• Only the player fouled can call a foul.  Yell “foul!” and play stops.
• Dangerous, aggressive behavior, or reckless disregard for the safety of fellow players or harmful endangerment is always a foul. 
• If a player’s attempt to make a play on the disc causes significant impact with a legitimately positioned stationary opponent, before or after the disc arrives, it is considered harmful endangerment.

 

Throwing fouls (XVI.I #6)

• Contact between the thrower and the marker = throwing foul.  Throwing foul called by the thrower.
• Incidental contact during the follow-through is not grounds for a throwing foul, unless it constitutes harmful endangerment.

 

Receiving fouls (XVI.I #7)

• Contact between opposing players in the process of catching = receiving foul.  A certain amount of incidental contact is unavoidable and is not grounds for a receiving foul.
• If there is contact before the disc arrives and interferes with player’s attempt to make a play on the disc that is a foul.
• Principle of Verticality: The space immediately above you is your space.  No one can prevent you catching by reaching over you, if they do that is a foul.
• If receiving call occurs
  • Uncontested: player fouled gains possession at point where foul committed
  • Contested: disc goes back to thrower
  • Uncontested in the endzone: player fouled gains possession at spot on endzone line closest to point where foul committed

 

Blocking fouls (XVI.I #8)

• When the disc is in the air, players must play the disc, not the opponent.  Application: you cannot physically block your opponent from making a play on the disc.  If you block that is a foul.
• When the disc is not in the air, you cannot take a position that is considered “blocking” to prevent movement of your opponent.

 

Strip (XVI.I #9)

• No defensive player can touch the disc while it is in the hands of the thrower.  To do so is a foul.  If the contact causes the thrower to lose/drop the disc that is a strip.  Thrower yells “strip” and play stops.  Strips are treated same as fouls.
  • An uncontested strip in the endzone is a goal.

 

What happens when a foul is called? (XIV.C #5)

• Play stops.
• Players must return to where they were when the foul was called.
• Play restarts with the disc at the spot when play stopped.
• Player who committed foul has opportunity to either contest or not contest the call.  To contest the foul means you do not agree with the call.  To not contest the foul means you do agree with the call.
• The only appropriate response to a foul call is “contest” or “no contest.”
  • Defensive foul/strip
• Uncontested: stall count drops to 1
• Contested: if stall count is <5, then count resumes where it left off; if stall count >5, then count comes in at 6
  • Offensive foul
• Uncontested: stall count resumes where it left off
• Contested: if stall count is <5, then count resumes where it left off; if stall count >5, then count comes in at 6

 

Picks (XVI.K page 28)

• No offensive player may cause a defensive player guarding a receiver to be obstructed by another player (offense or defense).  Application: if a defender is prevented from following their player in any way, whether through actual contact or the need to avoid contact, it is a pick.
• If a pick occurs, the player picked must yell “pick!”
• Play stops.
• Players return to the positions they were at when pick called.
• Picked player allowed to recover position lost due to pick.
• Play restarted with a check of the disc.
• If disc in the air during or after pick called, play stops when disc stops.  If throw complete, disc returns to thrower.  If throw incomplete, it is a turnover.
• If stall count is <5 when pick called, then count resumes where it left off; if stall count >5, then count comes in at 6. (XIV.C #5)