Checking a disc ?

[torre.hargett]

This scenario happened this weekend and i'm trying to confirm what happened was correct.

Team A hucks disc incomplete into the endzone, disc lies in the endzone.

Player B walks to the disc and begins walking the disc to the front of the endzone. After Player B takes a few steps, he begins to sprint to the front of the endzone line (because Team A was standing around NOT near the endzone line).

Team A says that Player B much check the disc-in with a member of Team A since he changed momentum and/or speed when bringing the disc up (went from walk to run while bringing the disc in).

I've always been told you can't change speed when bringing a disc in, can someone confirm/deny this? or point me to the correct rule?


Thanks,


Torre

[commitch]

No one can point you to the correct rule because there is no rule that says anything about changing speed when bringing the disc in. I seem to be getting more complaints these days in games about this, but it's perfectly legal. The general approach is "if the rules don't say it's illegal, it's legal." Well, the rules don't say it's illegal.

As for where the rules misunderstanding comes from, "I've always been told" is the problem. Rules knowledge needs to be born in the rulebook, not heresay. (not an attack on you, just a general observation about the ultimate culture).

[stephenghubbard]

The "you cant change speed when walking the disc up" is one of the most common "urban myths" of the rules. I would be REALLY interested in someone doing some research to actually figure out how this idea was originated. I can just imagine some random pickup game in Iowa where some guy didn't like that he was "tricked" but a wise-cracking college guy with the run up and group-tap so he said it was illegal and it all spread from there.

If you, The Originator, are out there, speak up!
THIS is what we REALLY need those Frisbee historians at MDSC to get on.

[hank.cary]

It likely grew out of this section of the travel rules.

XV.C If a player catches the disc while running or jumping the player may release a pass without attempting to stop and without setting a pivot, provided that:
1. the player does not change direction or increase speed while in possession of the disc;

Now, where's that section about the "check feet" call........