NSL League Rules

Ultimate is a self-refereed game, so it is important that players are familiar with the rules. The basic rules of play are the 2009 WFDF Rules of Ultimate with the adaptions listed below. All players should be familiar with the rules to avoid time-wasting disputes (and emails).

This page reflects the rules specific to the UFNSW Northern Suburbs League. Where a conflict exists between the rules listed below and any rules shown on NSL Info Page that page shall take precedence.

Timecap

At time cap, play out the point. The score at the end of that point is the result of the game. Draws are possible. The only exception to this is in the finals series, where if the game is drawn, teams need to play one more point to determine the winner.

There is no points cap.

Rainout/Cancellation

Games which are cancelled count as a 1-1 draw

Competition Points

Competition points are awarded as follows:

Win: 2 points
Tie: 1 point
Loss: 0 points
Forfeit: -1 point (winner gets 2 points)

Minimum Roster Sizes

To be included in the main draw of the NSL, teams must have a minimum of 10 players on their roster by the time that the registration page is listed as being closed. Teams that do not have these minimum number of 10 players on their roster by that time WILL NOT be included in the main draw for that season.

In line with this provision, and in the light of the NSL having a 4/3 "offence decides" gender ratio, each team needs to have a minimum of 5 men and 5 women on their roster to meet this minimum roster requirement of 10 players. Having this minimum number of each gender on the team roster should ensure that all teams are able to field a team every week over the course of what is a long, 4 month season.

Forfeits and Team Sizes

A team must have 5 registered players on the start line within 10 minutes of the published start time. If, at 10 minutes, a team is still short the result is a forfeit.

Teams which forfeit games or play short-handed will be asked to take on additional players from the waiting lists held by comissioners. Please be graceful about this. No player should miss out on the whole competition because teams are full whilst some teams play short.

In the event of a forfeit, the score is considered to be 5-0 in favour of the team that didn't forfeit. If both teams forfeit, then the result is considered to be 5-0 against both teams.

If a result is not reported to the division commissioner within a week of the game then the results co-ordinator can (at their discretion) rule the game a forfeit.

Gender Mix and Matching

Teams may NOT field more than 4 players of the same gender at any point during games in the NSL.

The gender split of the league is 4/3 "Offence decides". This means that the team that is on starting offence for each point will decide whether to field a line up with either 4 men/3 women or 4 women/3 men at the start of the point. The team which is on starting defence MUST match this gender ratio for that point.

If this means that some players are on the field the entire game, while others are not getting much game time, then captains should agree on an appropriate compromise.

Tie-Breaking

Teams are ranked as follows:

League Points, if tied;
For & Against Differential, if tied;
Total Offense Points, if tied;
Spirit Points, if tied;
Head to Head Results, if tied;
Teams dig for water.

Zone Defence

Zone defence and other "trash" defences are prohibited in Division 4.

Callahan Goals

Callahan Goals are allowed in Divisions 1 and 2 of the NSL. They are NOT allowed in Divisions 3 and 4. Please note this is an update from the previous NSL specific rule regarding Callahan Goals.

Pick-up Players

Pick-up players cannot play without the agreement of both captains or a forfeit may result. Players picking-up are encouraged to find a permanent team or at least to pick-up in an appropriate grade competition.

A pick up may play twice in a division with any team without paying. However, they must pay league fees before playing their third game in that division, otherwise the team they play with will forfeit. League Commissioners will do their best to advise team captains when players have played 2 matches in a division, but the onus rests strictly on captains to check with pick-ups how many games they have played.

International Players

Overseas players who are visiting Sydney for a short period of time (up to a maximum of 1 month) can pick-up for free in the NSL, provided that they:

get an AFDA number (which is free to do so), and
they do not play with the same team for more than 2 games.

Should the player want to play for more than 1 month, standard registration fees will apply.

By default, International Players will be considered to be Nationals Level Players in the NSL, unless they have also been to Worlds, in which case they will be considered to be a Worlds Level Player. Exemptions will be given to this default Nationals Level Player status where it would appear to be unfair to the player, on a case-by-case basis.

Timeouts

Each team may call 1 two-minute time-out per game. Time-outs cannot be called in the last 5 minutes of a game.

Pull Reception

The current WFDF Rules of Ultimate now apply to pull reception, except in Division 4, where the pull can be dropped without possession turning over.