The throw-off (the service)

Each team stands in its own court and holds a disc. One of the non-throwing players gives the start signal (Ready? Two, one, THROW!) and each team throws its disc simultaneously into play. The players must throw at the word “THROW”.

The course of the game

After the service both teams try to catch the disc from the other team and throw it back again. Each next throw must be made at the position where the disc was caught. A player is not allowed to walk with the disc in hand. When the disc is caught outside the court, it is brought into play again at the position where it left the field of play.

Throwing back and forth continues until either a disc touches out of bounds, a disc stops in the court, or a double is scored (see above). The team that scored the last point gives the call for the next service. The players of a team alternate the service for each exchange.

Throwing and catching

Players may catch a disc with one or two hands. It is not allowed to catch or interfere with a throw from your fellow-player; so you can’t throw to your fellow-player. It is however allowed to tip a disc before catching. In this case, the player may strike an arriving disc upward and then catch it. This technique can be used for avoiding “a double” when two discs are approaching a court at the same time. The first disc is tipped two or three meters up. While the disc is still in the air, the team-mate catches the disc and throws it immediately. Then the other disc can be played safely. It is also allowed to catch a tip from your fellow-player.

Throws must be made from within the player’s own court. The lines are not part of the court. When a player stands outside the court while throwing, the other team scores a point.

The situation where both teams hold a disc and don’t throw, is called an impasse. The team that scored the last point has initiative and should throw first. The initiating team must throw within four seconds.

Scoring

• A point is scored by the throwing team when a disc touches the ground within the court of the other team and stays within the court.
• A point is scored against the throwing team when a disc touches the ground outside the court of the other team, or rolls out of the court after touching the ground.
• When the players of a team touch both discs simultaneously during play the other team scores two points. This situation is called a double. Note: you can score with both discs simultaneously. For example: a throw of team 1 is out-of-bounds and at the same time a throw from team 2 is in-bounds. Now team 2 scores two points. There is an exception to this rule. You can’t throw a disc after the other disc has touched out-of-bounds or stopped in the court. If you do throw it, you can not score a point for your own team anymore. But an (extra) point against your team will be scored, when that disc is out-of-bounds.The situation when the discs, thrown by different teams, are both in-bounds or both out-of-bounds is called a break. No points are awarded. Play continues with the other two players serving. The team that scored the last point initiates.