Ultimate (originally known as Ultimate Frisbee) is a fast-paced, non-contact team sport played with a flying disc. It is incredibly simple to learn, inclusive by design, and one of the most accessible sports around—all you need to get started is a disc, some marker cones, and a group of friends.

By blending the quick passing of netball, the field tactics of touch football, and the long-bomb athletic catches of gridiron, Ultimate creates an exciting, high-energy game.

We love our sport because it is built from the ground up to welcome everyone:

• Truly Mixed-Gender: Ultimate has a deep commitment to gender equality. Our primary formats feature mixed-gender teams where athletes of all gender identities compete alongside one another on equal footing.
  
  
• Completely Self-Refereed: What truly sets Ultimate apart is that the game is completely player-officiated at every level—even at the World Championships!
  
  
• Driven by a code of honour known as the Spirit of the Game, players on the field are collectively responsible for administering the rules, making calls, and resolving disputes with mutual respect.
  
  
• A Global Community: Played by athletes in over 100 countries, Ultimate is a showcase sport at the World Games and thrives heavily in local clubs, universities, and high schools across New South Wales.
  

The basic objective is straightforward.

The team with possession of the disc works together to pass it up the field to their teammates, scoring a point when a player cleanly catches a pass inside the opponent’s endzone.

There is just one catch, you cannot run while holding the disc.

Once you catch it, you must stop, plant a pivot foot, and throw it to a teammate within 10 seconds.

Meanwhile, the defensive team tries to intercept the disc or knock it down.

If the disc hits the ground, goes out of bounds, or is intercepted, it is an instant turnover, and the defence immediately transitions to offense to attack the opposite endzone.

Traditional outdoor Ultimate is played on a grass field slightly narrower than a football pitch, featuring two teams of seven players on the field at a time.

Because there are no external referees, the foundation of the sport relies entirely on the Spirit of the Game.

Players are trusted to never intentionally break the rules, to maintain intense competitive play without sacrificing safety, and to use clear, respectful communication to resolve calls on the fly

If players disagree on a call, the disc simply goes back to the last thrower and play restarts cleanly.

At every single tournament, the Spirit of the Game Award, voted on by opponents after each match based on fair-mindedness, rule knowledge, and attitude, is considered just as prestigious as winning the gold medal.

You can dive deeper into the playbooks by visiting our Rules of Ultimate page or by exploring our guide on What is Spirit.