What happens after a foul is called, and what if we cannot agree?
Rule- UK
- UK Ultimate
- WFDF Rules 2025-2028
- Club ultimate
- Open age
- 2026
- Players
Under Rules 15 to 17:
Play stops as soon as players are aware of a foul or violation call, and everyone should echo the call. The exception: if the call is on the thrower and they still throw, or it happens while the disc is in the air, play continues until someone has possession. If the calling team ends up with the disc, play stands (they can call "play on"); if not, play stops and the disc may go back to the thrower.
The player called against either accepts the call or calls "Contest" if they disagree. The caller can "Retract" the call if they change their mind.
Common outcomes:
- Accepted receiving foul: the fouled player gets the disc where the foul happened.
- Contested receiving foul: the disc goes back to the thrower.
- Strip foul (fouled into dropping a catch): if accepted and it would have been a goal, the goal is awarded.
- Offsetting fouls (both sides): the disc goes back to the last undisputed thrower.
- If both teams agree the call did not affect the outcome, the play stands (Rule 16.3).
If players cannot agree, or it is not clear and obvious what happened or would have happened, the disc goes back to the last undisputed thrower (Rule 1.12). Play restarts with a check: players return to their positions and a defender touches the disc (or the thrower touches it to the ground and calls "Disc in").
Updated 21 Oct 2026