Definitions

TermExplanation
Act of throwingSee throwing motion.
Affect the playA breach affects the play if it is reasonable to assume that the outcome of the specific play may have been meaningfully different had the breach not occurred.
Attacking end zoneThe end zone in which the team in question is currently attempting to score.
Best perspectiveThe most complete viewpoint available by a player that includes the relative position of the disc, ground, players and line markers involved in the play.
CallA clearly communicated statement that a foul, infraction, violation, turnover or injury has occurred. The following terms may be used: Foul, Travel, specific name of Marking Infraction Violation (or specific name of Violation), specific name of turnovers, Technical, and Injury.
CatchA non-spinning disc trapped between at least two body parts. If a player initially catches a pass and then, prior to establishing possession, they do not maintain the catch (‘maintain the catch’ means to continue to have a non-spinning disc trapped between at least two body parts), that initial catch is deemed to have ended.
Central zoneThe area of the playing field including the goal lines but excluding the end zones and the perimeter lines.
Defending end zoneThe end zone in which the team in question is currently attempting to prevent the opposition from scoring.
Defensive playerAny player whose team is not in possession of the disc.
Excessive forceA pull is considered to have excessive force and therefore invalid if it is thrown with speed and/or angle that could be considered dangerous or intimidating to any person or that may cause damage to the disc. No player should have to make a decision between being disadvantaged by not catching the pull and potential injury.

Examples may include throwing with such force it causes a receiving player to have to move, that the disc may hit a substitute, spectator or passer by, or when hitting the floor, wall or other surface it damages the disc. This is not an exhaustive list.
End zoneOne of the two areas at the end of the playing field where teams can score a goal by catching the disc there.
Goal lineThe line separating the central zone from each end zone. It is not part of the end zone.
GroundThe ground consists of all substantial solid objects, including grass, marker cones, equipment, water, trees, fences, walls and non-players, but excluding all players and their worn clothing, airborne particles and precipitation.
Ground contactRefers to all player contact with the ground directly related to a specific event or manoeuvre, including landing or recovery after being off-balance (e.g., jumping, diving, leaning, or falling).
GuardingA defender is guarding an offensive player when they are within three meters of that offensive player and are reacting to that offensive player.
InterceptionWhen a player on the defensive team establishes possession of a throw by a player on the offensive team.
Legitimate positionThe stationary or moving position established by a player that is not in breach of any rules.
LineA boundary defining the playing areas. On an unlined field, the boundary is defined as an imaginary line between two field markers with the thickness of said markers. Line segments are not extrapolated beyond the defining markers.
Making a play on the discWhen the disc is in the air and a player is attempting to make contact with the disc in any way e.g. to catch it or block it. This includes the process of running towards the place they expect to make contact with the disc.
MarkerThe defensive player who may call the stall count on the thrower.
Minor contactContact that involves minimal physical force and does not alter the movements or position of another player.
Contact with an opponent’s extended arms or hands that are about to, or already are, contacting the disc, or contact to the throwers hand during the throwing motion, is not considered to be minor contact.
Non-playerAny person, including a team member, who is not currently a player.
Offensive playerA player whose team is in possession of the disc.
Out-of-bounds (OB)Everything that is not part of the playing field, including the perimeter lines.
Perimeter linesLines separating the central zone or end zone from the out-of-bounds area. They are not part of the playing field.
PivotWhen the thrower moves in any direction while keeping one part of their body in constant contact with a specific point on the ground called the pivot point.
A player establishes a pivot point by placing, or keeping, a particular part of their body at a specific point, which they intend to use as their pivot point. If a thrower has multiple options for a pivot point, the pivot point is not determined until they pivot.
Pivot LocationThe point on the playing field where the thrower is required to establish a pivot point after a turnover, after the pull, after a time-out, after leaving the central zone, or where a pivot point has already been established.
PlayThe time after the Pull has commenced and prior to the scoring of a goal. Play may further stop due to a call, in which case play is restarted with a check.
PlayerThe people who are actually participating in the current point of play.
Playing FieldThe area including the central zone and the end zones, but excluding the perimeter lines.
Possession of the discA player establishes possession of a pass when:
  • they catch a pass and then they maintain that catch for more than one noticeable instant, and
  • they maintain the catch throughout all ground contact related to the catch, or until they throw the disc.
A player can also establish possession when a disc that has already hit the ground is picked up, or is given to them, after a turnover, pull, or stoppage.
Once a player has established possession, they may change their grip on the disc and that does not affect their possession, as long as they maintain contact with the disc.
A disc in the possession of a player, or caught by a player, is considered part of that player.
The team whose player is in possession or whose players may pick up the disc is considered the team in possession.
Pre-stallA warning regarding time limits to resume play, issued by giving warnings at twenty (20), ten (10), and five (5) seconds (as applicable)
PullThe throw by the defence to the offence that starts play at the beginning of a half or after a goal. The pull is not considered a legal pass.
ReceiversAll offensive players other than the thrower.
Stoppage of playAny halting of play due to a foul, violation, discussion, contested call, injury or time-out, that requires a check to restart play.
ThrowA disc in flight following any throwing motion, including after a fake attempt and an intentionally dropped disc, that results in loss of contact between the thrower and the disc.
A pass is the equivalent of a throw.
ThrowerThe offensive player in possession of the disc, or the player who has just thrown the disc prior to when the result of the throw has been determined.
Throwing motionThe throwing motion is the motion that transfers momentum from the thrower to the disc in the direction of flight and results in a throw. Pivots and wind-ups are not part of the act of throwing.
TurnoverAny event resulting in a change of the team in possession. A turnover is not considered a violation.
Valid PullA 'Valid Pull' is a throw-off made when the throwing team occupies an onside position and the disc passes through any part of a 2m high box bounded by the front, back and sidelines of the receiving teams' endzone, without “excessive force” and without first contacting the ground or any out-of bounds object. A throw-off is also automatically rendered valid if it is touched in flight by a member of the receiving team before it contacts the ground or an out-of-bounds object. All other throw-offs are invalid.. valid pull
Where the disc stopsRefers to the location where a player establishes possession, the disc comes to rest naturally, or where the disc is stopped from rolling or sliding.