Spirit Captain

Full story on Worlds is still to come. 

Meanwhile here is my idea for a Spirit Captain. 

This came about after watching games at Worlds and thinking that a Spirit Captain could be a useful addition to the rules (and a good addition to the Spirit Timeouts they had at Worlds). I discussed it with Johnny Mac who helped write these here good words below. We are trailing this in Melbourne in our upcoming Leagues. I will post on how it goes down the track.

WHAT

Each team must nominate a Spirit Captain for the duration of the league.

WHY?

The core of Ultimate is the governing concept of Spirit Of The Game. As a self adjudicated sport, Spirit is the key that allows the competition to be conducted at any level, from social to elite play. Respect (for team mates, opponents and the rules of the game), sportsmanship, fair play and integrity are concepts of particular importance.

 The aims of this addition are:

• To increase the focus placed on Spirit by all teams
• To ensure players continue to be taught about the rules and how to play with good spirit
• To assist in establishing communication between opposing teams for the purpose of maintaining a Spirited game
• To give teams and players immediate feedback on their Spirit so that they may improve on it
• To allow team captains to remove one aspect of their role, thus allowing captains to perform other duties better, and Spirit to be upheld with a greater focus

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A SPIRIT CAPTAIN:

• The tasks of the Spirit Captain are only undertaken when they are OFF THE FIELD
• The Spirit Captain should ensure they have a copy of the current WFDF and League rules with them on the sideline
• After the game they determine the Spirit Score for the opposition, discuss the level of spirit in the game with the opposing teams Spirit Captain and then share Spirit Scores with them
• The Spirit Captain may call a Spirit Timeout

WHAT A SPIRIT CAPTAIN IS NOT/DOES NOT DO:

• They do NOT get involved in discussions when they are not on the field
• They do NOT release a captain from their responsibility to ensure their team upholds the Spirit of the Game
• They do NOT replace the requirement for each player to learn and apply the rules and play with Good Spirit

WHEN THE SPIRIT CAPTAIN IS PLAYING ON THE FIELD THEY HAVE NO EXTRA RESPONSIBILITIES.

On Field they have the same responsibilities in upholding Good Spirit as every other player i.e.

• Knowing the rules (1.1.1)
• Being fair-minded and objective (1.1.2)
• Being truthful (1.1.3) 
• Explaining their viewpoint clearly and briefly (1.1.4) 
• Allowing opponents a reasonable chance to speak (1.1.5) 
• Resolving disputes as quickly as possible (1.1.6) 
• Using respectful language (1.1.7)
• Informing a team-mate if they have made a wrong or unnecessary call or caused a foul or violation (1.5.1)

SPIRIT TIMEOUT

If there is continued bad spirit in a game a Spirit Captain may call a Spirit Timeout. This can only be called in between points. During this timeout the two Spirit Captains shall discuss the level of spirit in the game, determine ways to rectify this, and then convey this discussion to their teammates. Tactical discussions are not to take place during a Spirit Timeout. Spirit Timeouts do not affect the number of Team Timeouts available. 

EXAMPLES OF THINGS A SPIRIT CAPTAIN SHOULD DO:

Scenario A: A player makes a call on the field but was unsure if it was the right call and what the consequences where to the stall count/player positioning

• After the point the Spirit Captain talks to that player and lets them know what the relevant rules are regarding that situation
  

Scenario B: The Spirit Captain notices that a player from the opposition is often not saying "Stalling" when commencing the stall count

• The Spirit Captain approaches the other teams Spirit Captain who watches this player themselves and then talks to the player about stalling correctly
  

Scenario C: There was a lengthy on field discussion where all players involved were unsure of what the appropriate outcome was in the rules

• During a team huddle the Spirit Captain tells the whole team what the relevant rules were regarding that situation
  

Scenario D: A player is immediately contesting all calls without listening to the oppositions opinion

• The Spirit Captain talks to the player on the sideline and reminds this player about the importance of playing with Good Spirit
  

SELECTING A SPIRIT CAPTAIN

In choosing a Spirit Captain, the following should be considered:

• They should have an excellent knowledge of the current rule set, and also a good understanding of its application
• They should be a senior player within the team, such that all other players will respect and listen to them if needed
• They should be able to maintain a clear, calm, objective view of the game
• They should be willing and able to approach opposing Spirit Captains and their own players, and communicate clearly and respectfully in a pressure situation.