The Rules of Ultimate

Key New Rule

Annotation

Diagram

Difference to USAU

Video Guide


11. Out-Of-Bounds

11.1. The entire playing field is in-bounds. The perimeter lines are not part of the playing field and are out-of-bounds. All non-players are part of the out-of-bounds area.

11.2. The out-of-bounds area consists of the ground which is not in-bounds and everything in contact with it, except for defensive players, who are always considered “in-bounds”.

11.3. An offensive player who is not out-of-bounds is in-bounds.

11.3.1. An airborne player retains their in-bounds/out-of-bounds status until that player contacts the playing field or the out-of-bounds area.

11.3.2. A player who has caught the disc, who contacts the playing field and then contacts an out-of-bounds area, is still considered in-bounds, as long as they maintain the catch until they establish possession.

11.3.2.1. If they leave the playing field, they must establish a pivot point at the location on the playing field where they crossed the perimeter line (unless 14.3 is in effect).

11.3.3. A thrower who contacts an out-of-bounds area is considered in-bounds until they make a pass.

11.3.4. Contact between players does not confer the state of being in- or out-of-bounds from one to another.

11.4. The following are out-of-bounds turnovers, and no catch is deemed to have occurred:

11.4.1 any part of an offensive receiver is out-of-bounds when they contact the disc; or any part of an offensive receiver is out-of-bounds when they contact the disc; or

11.4.2. after catching the disc while airborne, an offensive receiver’s first contact is out-of-bounds while still in contact with the disc.

11.5. A disc is in-bounds once play is live, or when play starts or restarts.

11.6. A disc becomes out-of-bounds when it first contacts the out-of-bounds area or contacts an out-of-bounds offensive player. A disc that has been caught by an offensive player has the same in/out-of-bounds status as that player. If the disc is simultaneously caught by more than one offensive player, one of them being out-of-bounds, the disc is out-of-bounds.

11.7. The disc may fly outside a perimeter line and return to the playing field, and players may go out-of-bounds to make a play on the disc.

11.8. The place where a disc went out-of-bounds is the location where, prior to contacting an out-of-bounds area or player, the disc was most recently

11.8.1. partly or wholly over the playing field; or
11.8.2. contacted by an in-bounds player.

11.9. If the disc is out-of-bounds and more than three (3) metres from the pivot location, non-players may retrieve the disc. The thrower must carry the disc the last three (3) metres to the playing field.