Ultimate Frisbee is a high energy, non-contact team sport. It combines elements of many different sports including soccer, basketball, and football. Ultimate is played on a rectangular shaped field with end zones shaped like football end zones.
Each team consists of seven players. The disc is passed from teammate to teammate until somebody catches the disc in the end zone for a score. The Valley of the Sun Ultimate Association (VOTS) organizes adult leagues (18 and up, ages 16-17 with parental waiver) in the spring and fall with two primary goals:
This Conduct Policy ("Policy") defines a code of conduct for members of the Valley of the Sun Ultimate Association (VOTS). The primary means for dealing with disputes is direct discussion between the persons or teams involved. VOTS applauds the maturity its members regularly exhibit in resolving their own disputes and correcting their own misdeeds, and celebrates the general irrelevance of this very Policy.
Beyond its own rules, VOTS expects all players to abide by the laws, regulations and statutes of the jurisdiction in which they participate, whether at VOTS-sanctioned events or not. VOTS, its officers, directors, agents, affiliates and members will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with such laws, regulations and statutes.
It is crucial to note that good conduct is appreciated and commended by VOTS as it upholds and demonstrates Spirit of the Game, a founding principle of the sport of ultimate which celebrates sportsmanship and respect.
VOTS members are expected to behave in a manner consistent with the mission of the organization while on the playing field and dealing with the greater ultimate community. The same expectations exist for teams and other groupings of members.
A. On-Field Conduct
Players and teams are expected to treat one another with respect, to conduct themselves in a safe and orderly manner, and, while playing, to adhere to the rules of ultimate as well as to any tournament and site regulations. On-field violations may therefore include, but are not limited to, abusive heckling (respect), spiking the disc on another player (respect, safety), dangerous play (safety), spitting at another player (respect), cheating (rules), deliberate fouling (rules), reckless behavior (order, safety), taunting (respect), and violence against another player (respect, order, safety).
B. Conduct within the Ultimate Community
Members are expected to act consistently with the mission of VOTS to advance the sport of ultimate and maintain the health and safety of other members of the community. Actions inimical to the mission are violations of conduct. Violations include, but are not limited to, emotional, physical, sexual abuse, assault, harassment or other safety related criminal acts impacting the community. Violations may also include, but are not limited to, libel in the printed media and vandalism or other destructive behavior toward an ultimate facility.
Alleged violations of the Conduct Policy will be reviewed by league or event directors, the President of VOTS, or the VOTS Board of Directors. These groups will determine what actions may be used to address the alleged violations, including, but not limited to, investigations, warnings, ejection from games, events or leagues, and denial of participation in events or leagues.