BD, This weekend at Tour 1B, I was stalled while I was standing over the disc. It's happened before and I've never argued it, but it is something that has never sat well with me (I've always been too lazy to look up in the rules). I can understand why it is beneficial to keeping the game moving and I like the fact that the defence can rush the offence before they are set up (all the more importance to know what you should be doing). This discussion has got me interested again and this is what I've found (using a lot of the quotes already sent out): The UPA rules state clearly that you can do this: "Only a marker within three meters of the thrower's point of ground contact may initiate or continue a stall count. If an offensive player stands over a disc without taking possession, the marker may issue a "Delay of Game" warning. If the disc is not picked up, the marker may initiate and continue a stall count regardless of the actions of the offence."
The WFDF rules only say that you can only initiate a count when you are within 3m of the thrower: "Once a marker is within 3 m of the thrower, he or she may initiate a count. This consists of the marker calling, "Stalling," and then counting at one second intervals to ten. If the thrower has not released the disc by the first sound of the word "ten," then a change of possession with a check shall result. If during the stall count, the defence switches markers, the new marker must begin a new count at zero. In the event of a stall, the once-marker, now offensive player, does not have to take the disc after the check. The once-thrower, now marker, checks the disc to the new thrower. If he or she does not want the disc, the marker "checks" the disc by placing it on the ground and calling "In play." " The WFDF rules also define the thrower in the following way: "A player may become "the thrower" by fielding a pull, receiving the disc from a teammate, intercepting a pass from an opponent, or by picking up the disc after a turnover. Whenever the disc is on the ground following a turnover, whether in or out-of-bounds, any player becoming offence may take possession of the disc and become the thrower. A defensive player who establishes possession of the disc becomes the thrower, but may not throw the disc before he or she establishes a legal pivot foot. To do so is a travelling violation." To me this suggests that a player can stand over a disc and still not be "the thrower", so therefore a stall cannot be initiated. As I recall (and I could certainly be wrong), there were efforts to include the 'delay of play' rule into indoor games, but there were no such adjustments to outdoor. So, as I understand it, the offence can take a little time to set up after a turn over (I guess it's a question of spirit to not abuse this). I still maintain that forcing the offence into action is a good thing, but it's not in the rules and players (especially in the Tour) should be aware of that. The rules obviously need a brush up in certain areas, but can the UKUA suggest updates of the rules to the WFDF? Is it worth trying to sort out these grey areas in a similar way to the Americans, but including the rest of the world (not trying to draw political parallels in any way)? Or should the UK produce its own set of rules, based on the lessons learnt so far? I my opinion, adding a third set of rules would be a disaster, but if we have no input to the WFDF, what else is left? Should we adopt the UPA rules? Just thought I would throw that in, because there don't seem to be enough emails flying round at the moment! Nick Boogie Knights __________________________________________________ BritDisc mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.ranulf.net/mailman/listinfo/britdisc Staying informed - http://www.ukultimate.com/informed.asp
