Basic Rules of Ultimate Frisbee

These are the main rules you need to understand before playing Ultimate Frisbee.

Ultimate Frisbee dive play

1. No Running with the Disc

Once you catch the frisbee, you must stop moving and pass it to another player.

2. Scoring

A point is scored when a player catches the disc inside the opposing team’s end zone.

3. Passing Only

The disc must be moved by passing. You cannot hand it over or throw it to yourself.

4. Turnovers

The other team gets the disc if a pass is dropped, blocked, intercepted, or thrown out of bounds.

5. No Physical Contact

Ultimate is a non-contact sport. Players must avoid bumping, pushing, or blocking opponents.

6. Self-Officiated

There are no referees. Players call their own fouls and solve disagreements fairly.

7. Spirit of the Game

Respect, honesty, and fair play are very important in Ultimate Frisbee.

8. Starting Play

Each point starts with both teams lining up and one team pulling (throwing) the disc to the other team.


To understand how these rules work in a real game, visit the What to Expect page.

Throwing a frisbee