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After a on field discussion during the open finals at Callahan for kids I thought I would look up the proper rules and interpretation.
I found this in the rules FAQ on the USA ultimate website.
Q: If a defender is purposefully getting in the way of a cut or a cutter’s path to the disc, is this a blocking foul?
A:
There are two types of blocking fouls (XVI.H.C.3.1&2), contact resulting from: a) solely “playing the player”, or b) positioning oneself in an unavoidable position. The former type refers to the fact that, when the disc is in the air, non-incidental contact resulting from solely play your opponent, instead of also playing the disc, is illegal. For example, when the disc is in the air, contact resulting from face-guarding the receiver and trying to get in their way based solely on their trajectory is a blocking foul. However, if a
defender is playing the disc (e.g. looking at and reacting to the trajectory of the disc in order to make the catch/D), they are allowed to move into unoccupied space for the purpose of preventing their opponent from taking that space (ie- “boxing out”), since they are not solely playing their opponent.
The second type of blocking foul refers to contact resulting from taking up a position that is unavoidable by your opponent, when time, distance and line of sight are considered. “Unavoidable” means that your opponent can’t stop themselves from running into you; for example, jumping in the way of someone who is running full speed, or standing in the way of someone who is running forward while looking behind them for the disc.
However, this does not mean that, as a defender, you cannot try to anticipate where the cutter wants to go, and get there first, forcing the cutter to have to slow down or stop to avoid you. (Just because someone has started to run along a particular unoccupied trajectory does not give them the right to that entire trajectory!) As long the cutter can avoid running into you, it is perfectly legal to get in their way and try to make them take a different route. |
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Good info Bob.
Question: If you were running deep, would it be considered legal and valid strategy for me to zig zag in front of you in attempt to slow you down if I anticipate a long throw to you or would this be considered unpspirited or a foul in any way. My read on your definition is that it would be totally legal. As for spirit my take would be that if it is within the rules spirit should not enter into it but I look forward to feedback on that.
Manny |
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| Dummy wrote: | Good info Bob.
Question: If you were running deep, would it be considered legal and valid strategy for me to zig zag in front of you in attempt to slow you down if I anticipate a long throw to you or would this be considered unspirited or a foul in any way. My read on your definition is that it would be totally legal. As for spirit my take would be that if it is within the rules spirit should not enter into it but I look forward to feedback on that.
Manny |
The main thing to consider is the level you are playing against and if the disc is in the air or not.
You have the right to move into unoccupied space, as do they. And if the disc is in the air you are allowed to position yourself to address the disc. I have slowed down so that the person behind me has to slow down as well but I am waiting till the disc comes down and I can reach the disc at my maximum height. If you block someone out to just deny them the disc this is an obstruction, so you have to be making a play on it. You can zig zag in front of someone but you can't stop or slow down so much that they have to drastically change speed/direction in order to avoid a collision.
In men's holding the force is crucial and running side by side leaning into each other happens all the time as does cutting off cutting lanes. It's good D. In mixed this tends to not happen as much. |
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OK thanks Rick
Just one question..
Is you using the term 'maximum height' an oxymoron?
Manny  |
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