JAM rules for Ultimate Outdoor 5's


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Ultimate Frisbee – Outdoor 5’s

There are two formats of Outdoor Ultimate Frisbee 5’s under JAM Rules. The major differences between the two formats are game lengths. Games are either two (2) 40-minute halves with a 5-minute break for half-time OR are 55 minutes in length. Check your specific program details and your online schedule for exact start and end times. Both formats are described in their entirety below. This rulebook will cover Mixed-Gender, Men’s, Women’s, and Open programs. 

 

JAM is for Everyone – Inclusion Statement

Our program offerings are designed to be inclusive for all members of the JAM community. Our goal is to create a welcoming gender policy that uplifts and supports each player where they are at. To ensure we can offer something for everyone, our programs may be offered in the following formats: Mixed-Gender, Women's, Men's, and Open.

Many of our league rules specify gender-based roster requirements, the goal of which is to ensure that each player has an equal opportunity to be included in gameplay.

Everyone participating in a JAM program is welcome to compete based on their gender identity and gender expression; regardless of their gender assigned at birth. Members whose gender identity does not align with the binary man/woman construct are welcome to play in all our mixed-gender and open programs.

Nonbinary, trans, genderqueer, and all other players who identify as a gender minority can count towards the roster minimums for either men or women in our mixed-gender leagues.

 

Game Time

There are two formats of Outdoor Ultimate Frisbee 5’s programs under JAM programming. Games are either two (2) 40-minute halves with a 5-minute break for half-time OR are 55 minutes in length. Check your specific program details and your online schedule for exact start and end times. Please arrive early to ensure you get the full use of your allotted field time. Regardless of when your game begins your game will always end on time to allow the succeeding games to begin at their scheduled time.

Time Keeping: The JAM Ambassador on site will be keeping track of time and will determine the end of your game. In this instance, you will receive a warning indicating the final five (5) minutes remaining in your game and a final signal for the end of your game. Once the final signal occurs your game is over.

Halftimes: In the 85-minute game time format, there will be two 40-minute halves and 5-minute halftime for all games (halftime can also be taken if one team reaches 9 points). For the 55-minute game time format, there is no stoppage for halftime unless requested by one of the teams. If a half-time is requested, then it must be accommodated by the opposing team.

Switching Sides: If one side of the field has a potential advantage, teams should agree BEFORE the game that they will be switching sides at approximately the mid-point of the game (and agree on the time to switch). A captain that requests a switch pre-game MUST be accommodated.

Timeouts: Teams have 1 timeout per game, a maximum of 1 minute in length. A timeout may not be called in the final 5 minutes of play; if one is called it is an automatic turnover.

 

Players

Teams are comprised of five (5) players with a minimum of two (2) men or gender minority players and two (2) women or gender minority players on the field. A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad 10 minutes after the official start time.

Roster Numbers: Teams are comprised of five (5) players with a minimum of two (2) men or gender minority players and two (2) women or gender minority players on the field.

Defaults:  A default will occur if any team cannot field a squad 10 minutes after the official start time. A team can play with a minimum of 4 people, as long as the roster minimums are met.

Exceptions: Captains may agree to waive the rules regarding roster requirements but this should be decided before the game starts. IF IT IS AGREED THAT THE GAME COUNTS, IT COUNTS!

 

Playing Area

Depending on the game location, either the on-site JAM Ambassador or Team Captains will pace out the field so it is approximately 35 paces wide and 50 paces long with end zones 10 paces deep.  Team Captains should review the field dimensions before the game begins.

Uniforms

Teams are required to bring both light and coloured shirts to every game. Team colours are posted on the JAM website in your schedule. If two teams have the same colour the team captains should contact each other to ensure that each team knows what colour to wear.

Defaults: There is no default for players that don’t wear the right colour. However, that player must do everything they can to ensure it’s not confusing for the opposition. Whether this means wearing a pinny, a hat, a teammate’s shirt, etc. Under no circumstances can a player purposely deceive the opposition.

 

Ultimate Frisbee 101

JAM plays by official USA Ultimate rules with some notable exceptions. Please note: There is no half rule for JAM Ultimate. View the official USA Ultimate Rules View the 10 Simple Rules of Ultimate Frisbee

 

League rules are as follows:

It is our hope that more experienced teams will assist in the promotion and clarification of the spirit of the game and the rules. If a team or person in unclear on something, explain it to them to enhance the Ultimate experience and not to put them at a disadvantage. This will ensure that all games that are played are heading to a higher and more enjoyable level.

What happens when...

 

JAM Exceptions

 

Regular Season Matches

Games can be tied during the regular season.

 

Playoffs Eligibility and Tiebreak

There must be a winner in a playoff match. In the event that the match ends in a tie, teams will partake in the following tie-breaker until a winner is determined:

In the playoffs, when regulation time has expired and the game is tied, the current point should be played out until a team scores.

 

Rough Play

Any rough or physical play will result in immediate expulsion from further league play and may result in a lifetime league expulsion. Please see the JAM General Policy for our official guidelines on this subject. It is recognized that incidental contact between players is inevitable; however, all players should go out of their way to avoid creating an unsafe play.  This rule supersedes all others. 

Please note that on-site staff members have full autonomy when supervising games. Games may be stopped entirely, players may be asked to leave the playing area or be removed from the game entirely under their discretion.

 

Alcohol

There are absolutely no alcoholic beverages permitted on JAM property. Any offenders will be asked to leave the league without refund. No exceptions.