[Felix Nemec]

Hi,
The current status for when players can start counting after a travel call (before a throw occurs) 18.2.6.2. seems inconsistent with rule 11.6 out of bounds status of the disc and 9.3.2.

My interpretation currently is as follows:
– if a player catches the disc and runs out of bounds, the defender can immediately start the stall count, and the thrower might find themselves on stall count 2/3 when establishing the pivot point
– if a travel occurs, the stall count stops, and the players should reestablish as quickly as possible

Since there is no stoppage and the play is not dead, I think this is inconsistent and a handicap for the defence. The offence is already breaching a rule, but no consequences are in place due to the stall count not happening.

Thank you

[Meret Trapp]

Hi,

I was confused and now I agree: both instances should be treated the same. To quicken the game, it would make sense to allow markers to continue to count whilst the thrower establishes the correct pivot location. That might also encourage players to focus more accurately on not travelling.
If a thrower disagrees, they might contest the call. That would stop the game.
Only other issue I see is that all defensive players are allowed to call “travel” and communication might be difficult. But from a active game play perspective, travel calls from other defenders are likely to occur on the throw itself or prior to positioning, when carrying the disc from out-of-bounds or something similar. In these cases, the stoppage would either be necessary anyway or the communication should be clearly visible.

[Rueben Berg]

The rule is currently like that to ensure that we do not incentive calling minor travels to enable the marker to continue stalling while the thrower has to move to the correct spot. This is consistent with the USAU rule.

[Meret Trapp]

But players are not supposed to call minor travels, as they do not impact play (1.3.10.). In other areas of the rules, the main principle is that the rules assume that players will play according to the rules. To that end, this rule is inconsistent.

From a playing experience, players call travel very rarely anyway and as other people have pointed out, focusing on it might put the marker at a disadvantage. So I don’t necessarily see the risk.

But I understand if WFDF does not want to deviate from USAU on this issue.