Observer Guidelines

(2007 Series)

Congratulations on being part of the largest competitive Ultimate event in the world.  Best of luck this weekend in qualifying for the next stage of the UPA Series.  Because Observers are more and more commonplace at both sectionals and regionals,  this information is being provided to remind you of some of the key points about playing with Observers.  Please print this out and share it with your team before the tournament. 

First, remember why Observers are there.  The primary purpose of Observers is to help keep the game running smoothly, by reducing down time between points and during disputed calls.  In essence, they are there to help improve your ultimate experience.  Second, Observers are not active referees.  You as a player, along with your teammates & opponents, still initiate and discuss all calls - and this means you still have the same responsibility for fair play as when playing without Observers.  Finally, remember where Observers come from.  They are volunteers, ultimate players just like you, and fans of college ultimate.  In the past it has been difficult to assemble a qualified Observing crew because some people have seen or heard of bad experiences between players and Observers.  Please treat them with the same respect you would treat other tournament volunteers, players, and fans.

The following is a list of specific instances where Observers will be employed:

1) Observers will be used in the Series as described at:

College: http://www.upa.org/college/2007_college/series_guidelines#rules

Club: http://www.upa.org/club/2007_club/series_guidelines#rules

2) When not assigned, teams will be able to request Observers for any other game.  Requests will be filled based on availability, the timing of the request, and competition considerations (as determined by the event’s UPA Coordinator and the Head Observer).  Only one team involved in a game needs to make the request for it to be considered.  Requests should be made the day before your game through your UPA Coordinator or Head Observer.

3) The UPA Coordinator may assign Observers to a game after it has begun, if s/he determines that the game is out-of-control to the extent that Observers are needed to continue play under what s/he considers normal conditions.

If Observers are used in a game, here are the things you can expect & should be ready for:

a) Line Calls - Active (will make in/out calls if in position to do so; will defer to players if not in position)

Note that up/down calls are not active, though the Observer may make a ruling if asked to do so.

b) Dispute Resolution - Observers will give players a reasonable amount of time to figure out a call on their own.  After 15-20 seconds, an Observer may step in and request that the players come to a decision quickly or s/he will make a call.  If the players still do not come to a resolution then the Observer will make the call.  If at any time either player requests that the Observer make a call, s/he will do so.

c) Misconduct - Observers will use the following system to handle misconduct issues that may arise during an Observed game. 
College: Team Misconduct Foul System
Club: Red/Yellow Card System
A description of this system can be found in the Observer Manual http://www.upa.org/Observers/Observers.shtml#consystems.

d) Offsides - Observers will indicate with both arms crossed overhead if a team is offsides on the pull.  As indicated in the 11th Edition Rules, Section VIII.B.4.e, the first offsides is a warning and re-pull.  Subsequent offsides result in a yardage penalty.  Teams will not have the option to play the pull when the opposing team is called for offsides.  Observers will not call you offsides for being one inch over or one second past your time limit, that's not why they're there.  The strictest call in this area will be for the puller, who needs to stay behind/on the line, because s/he gains field position on the pull once past the line.

e) Positioning - In games where two Observers are used, they both will be on the field of play, as dictated by the positions of the players and movement of the disc.  In games where four Observers are used, only two will work on the field of play - the other two will always remain on the sidelines.  If a team feels that an Observer is too close to the play (for example, when trying to swing the disc in a zone offense), they should inform the Observer immediately, and the Observer will do his/her best to adjust.  Remember that if the disc does hit an Observer, it remains in play.

f) Timing - Observers will keep track of time limits.  The offense is given 70 seconds to set up and then the D has an additional 20 seconds to match up and pull.  You will hear/see 20, 10, and 5 second warnings for these limits.  Two raised fists means 20, one raised fist means 10, one open hand means 5.  For the offense (receiving team) to be set, they need to have one foot on the line and to hold their relative position.  The defense (pulling team) only needs to be on or behind the line when they pull.  Coaches should be off the field before the pull.  After a turnover, if the disc is still in the playing field proper (not OB and not in the endzones), the new offense has 10 seconds to put the disc in play before the defense can begin the stall.  If the disc is OB or in the endzone, the new offense has 20 seconds.  These limits may be actively counted down by the Observer, as will the time limits to be set after timeouts, as specified in the 11th edition (offense has 70 seconds to be set and freeze, defense gets an additional 20 seconds to match up).

g) Observer Interaction -When Observers are present, players are still strongly encouraged to work out disputed calls themselves.  There can and should be contested fouls, discs sent back to the thrower, etc. in an Observed game.  If any player involved in a call is not satisfied with the outcome, s/he can then ask the Observer for a ruling.  (Note: merely staring at the Observer during the dispute will not get you a ruling.)  Only the players involved in the call can ask for a ruling, not other players on the field or the sideline, nor coaches or fans, etc.   If players argue a call for more than 15-20 seconds, the Observer will step in and ask them for a resolution.  If the players can not resolve the call themselves in a timely fashion, the Observer will make a ruling.  When going to the Observer, make sure s/he knows exactly what the call is.  This may require a brief explanation as to what call was made and/or disputed.  However, do not continuously lobby the Observer with your opinion.  Once the Observer makes a ruling, it's done.  Please heed that ruling and continue the game.  Note the Observer's ruling may be to send it back to the thrower.

h) From the 11th Edition, Section XVIII.C. - "By playing under Observers, the players agree to abide by the Observers' decisions."

Final Notes:

Observing crews will be assigned by the Head Observer and cannot be vetoed by the teams (although conflict of interest issues should be brought to the attention of the Head Observer).  And Observers do have the power to eject players for fighting and other flagrantly bad behavior, so settle down and just play ultimate!

Hopefully this isn't too much information.  If you respect the game and your opponents, very little of this will come up during play, and you will hardly know the Observers are there.  Good luck and safe competition to everyone this weekend!