7. The Pull

7.0. See ’Appendix: Definitions’ for the definition of a valid pull.

7.1. At the start of the game, after half-time or after a score, play commences with a throw by the defence, called a “pull”.

7.1.1. The principle of the pull is to allow play to start promptly with the defence throwing a valid pull without ‘excessive force’. The pull should reach the receiving end zone at a catchable height and should normally be caught.

7.1.1. Teams must prepare for the pull without unreasonable delay.

7.2. The pull may be made only after both teams have signalled their readiness by having the puller and a player on offence raise a hand above their head.

7.3. After signalling readiness all offensive players must stand with one foot on their defending goal line without changing location relative to one another until the pull is released.

7.4. After signalling readiness all defensive players must keep their feet entirely behind the vertical plane of the goal line until the pull is released.

7.5. If a team breaches 7.3 or 7.4 the opposing team may call a violation (“offside”). This must be called before the offence touches the disc (7.8 still applies).

7.5.1. If the defence chooses to call offside, the thrower must establish a pivot point as per 7.9, 7.10, 7.11, or 7.12 and then play restarts as soon as possible as if a time-out had been called at that location.

7.5.2. If the offence chooses to call offside, they must let the disc hit the ground untouched and then resume play as if a brick has been called (no check is required).

7.6. As soon as the disc is released, all players may move in any direction.

7.7. No player on the defensive team may touch the disc after a pull until a member of the offensive team contacts the disc or the disc hits the ground.

7.8. If an offensive player, in-bounds or out-of-bounds, touches the disc before it hits the ground, and the offensive team fails to subsequently establish possession, that is a turnover (a “dropped pull”). Touching and Dropping the Pull

7.8.1. If the offensive team, in-bounds or out-of-bounds, first touches the disc before it hits the ground while making a genuine attempt to catch the disc, and the offensive team fails to catch it, that is not a turnover and the offensive team takes possession of the disc:

7.8.1.1. Where the disc stops; or if the disc contacts an out of bounds area, then the point closest to the playing field where first out of bounds contact occurred

7.8.2. If the offensive team, an offensive player, in-bounds or out-of-bounds, first touches the disc before it hits the ground while not making a genuine attempt to catch the disc, and the offensive team fails to catch it, that is a turnover (a “dropped pull”). Possession will revert to the defensive team at whichever of the following locations is closest to the endzone they are attacking:

7.8.2.1. Where the disc stops; or if the disc contacts an out of bounds area, then the point closest to the central zone where first out of bounds contact occurred; or

7.8.2.2. Where the contact was made.

7.8.2.3. A deliberate mac is not a genuine attempt to catch the disc and is a turnover

7.9. If an offensive player catches the pull and subsequently establishes possession, they must establish a pivot point at the location on the playing field nearest to where possession is established, even if that pivot point is in their defending end zone.

7.10. If a ‘valid pull’ the disc initially contacts the playing field and never becomes out-of-bounds, the thrower must establish the pivot where the disc stops, even if that point is in their defending end zone.

7.11. If the disc initially contacts the playing field and then becomes out-of-bounds without contacting an offensive player, the thrower must establish a pivot point where the disc first crossed the perimeter line, or the nearest location in the central zone if that pivot point would be in their defending end zone.

[THERE IS NO RULE 7.11]

7.11.1. If a ‘valid pull’ the disc does contact an offensive player before it becomes out-of-bounds the thrower must establish a pivot point where the disc first crossed the perimeter line, even if that pivot point is in their defending end zone.

7.12. If the pull is invalid the disc contacts the out-of-bounds area without first touching the playing field or an offensive player, the thrower may establish a pivot point either at the brick mark closest to their defending end zone, or at the location on the central zone closest to where the disc went out-of-bounds (Section 11.8). The binding brick option must be signalled before the disc is picked up, by any offensive player fully extending one arm overhead and calling “brick”.

7.13. Any member of the receiving team may call ‘excessive force’ at any time after the pull has been released including after the disc becomes out of bounds. Any member of the receiving team may attempt to catch or block a disc, whilst still being able to call ‘excessive force’, if not doing so may result in another person being injured or something dangerous occuring. Unless the throwing team dispute the call (see 7.14) then play will resume from the brick mark.

7.14. Disputes: If the two sets of players on the pitch cannot agree about whether a pull is valid or invalid, then a compromise will be used. The disc will be played from the front centre of the endzone: i.e. it will not be bricked, but nor need it be played from the back or side of the endzone.

7.15. There is no total time limit between the scoring of a goal and the ensuing throw-off. Instead, after either side has 5 players in a correct onside position and has raised a hand to indicate readiness, the opposing side will have only ten seconds to signal their own readiness to commence play. The team that is ready first shall give a ten second warning, and shall then count down from 5 if necessary. Teams may take a time-out at any time before the 10 seconds is up, but not after.

7.15.1 If the throwing team is not ready within 10 seconds after the receiving team,then the receiving team may immediately claim the disc and put the disc into play either at the front centre of the endzone they are defending, or at the brick mark nearest that endzone, without a throw-off being made.

7.15.2 If the receiving team is not ready within 10 seconds after the throwing team,then the throwing team may throw-off without waiting for a hand to be raised.