It amazes me how often I see players checking the disc unnecessarily, even at high level games. The rules about checking the disc are very clear:
9. Putting the Disc into Play
9.1. Putting the disc into play means that the offensive player in
possession of the disc establishes a pivot point (typically their foot) at the point on the Field of Play as specified.
9.2. If no Check is required, the disc may be put into play immediately.
11. The Check
11.1. Whenever play stops during a point for a time-out, foul, disputed possession, violation, safety stoppage or injury stoppage, play is restarted with a Check.
So in the following situations you DO NOT HAVE TO CHECK THE DISC:
- The disc is on the ground after a turnover
- The disc is in the endzone after a turnover and you are bringing it up to the endzone line
- There is a turnover and the disc has gone out of bounds
- Momentum takes you out of bounds after catching the disc
- Momentum takes you into the endzone after catching the disc
- A brick or middle is called after the pull
In these situations all you need to do is establish a pivot point at the appropriate point and you are away. The number of times I have been able to get a quick pass away because the d isn’t ready or is waiting for me to check the disc is amazing. And the number of times I have seen free passes not taken while a player holds out the disc for the d to touch is more amazing still.
Basically, when there is a call – you need to check the disc – otherwise start playing!
This goes for when you are marking too. Don’t wait for the thrower to hold out the disc and then tap it in to see them get an easy break throw off. As soon as they have a pivot point, have that mark set up and start stalling them.
Doing this is not being bad spirited – it is knowing and obeying the rules – which is good spirit. If more people started playing by the rules, more people will be able to learn what the REAL rules are!
4 comments:
I think most players tend to do it out of habit rather than ignorance. That being said, I wouldn't expect to many players to know that rule in detail.
I haven't played a lot of high level ultimate, so I wouldn't know what happens there, but at league and uni level, checking tends to happen out of courtesy ("I'm going to start counting now") rather than believing they have to, especially when marking a newbie.
Then again, that's probably where players pick up the notion that they have to check the disc.
Agreed.
However, one positive thing that the check does for the defender to effectively acknowledge that the thrower is in the right place to put the disc in play.
I remember a crucial point in a game where we turned the disc over in the opposition's endzone - the disc went out the side of the endzone. I as marker kicked the cone away and was waiting for them to come up and put their foot on the corner. They instead came infield a bit, and broke my mark. I called travel (on a length of the field throw).
I see it fairly often when there is no check - people don't establish their pivot foot in the correct place. So while a check is not correct, it's not exactly the worst thing to have happen.
hello,
i play for GOAT in toronto and had a play this summer occur where andrew lugsdin of furious and i had a discussion about whether or not i had to check the disc in before i made my throw. of course i caved in to the legend out of respect but i never really got a clear answer as to who was right. the situation was as follows. i went deep and caught the disc, in my opinion in the endzone, he said i wasnt in, so immediately after this quick discussion i said okay and through the disc to a wide open reciever. he said that because we had engaged in a conversation i had to check it in. any ideas on that? according to what you posted that wasnt really in the rules.
Hi Patrick
In WFDF Rules there is no actual requirement to check the disc in after this. All you need to do is go back to the line and then throw it.
However in this situation, probably the best thing for the D to do is call Travel (ie the thrower is not at the spot where they are supposed to bring the disc into play). Then people would have to stop moving and there would be a check. But this should only happen if there is a dispute about the reciever being in - if the know they aren't they can just run back to the line and throw the goal.
But I would check the UPA rules to be sure in your case.
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