Rules of Ultimate

9. Stall Count

1. 9.1. The marker administers a stall count on the thrower by announcing “Stalling” and then counting from one (1) to ten (10). The interval between the start of each number in the stall count must be at least one (1) second.
   Annotation: Clearly communicating the stall count

   The stall count will usually be communicated verbally for stall count. Teams can agree on other methods to suit particular circumstances.

2. 9.2. The stall count must be clearly communicated to the thrower.
   Annotation: When to start the stall count

   What: The marker can start the stall count as soon as the thrower has caught the disc (excluding after an interception).

   Result: Even if the thrower still has to stop, get up after a dive, or even come back into the field because they ran out of the field, the marker may start the count.

   Extra: If the offensive player needs some time to recover because they had to avoid an object outside the field (for safety, there shouldn’t be any, but in practice this may be the case) the marker should not count until the player has had that time.

   If the thrower regains possession of an accidentally dropped disc before it contacts the ground without another player touching the disc, that possession is considered continuous. If the thrower regains possession of an accidentally dropped disc before it contacts the ground and after another player touches it, it is considered a new possession.

   If the thrower catches a pass in the central zone, but momentum takes them out-of-bounds, the marker can start/continue the stall count if they are within 3 metres of the pivot location, even if they are not within 3 metres of the thrower.

   Note: After an interception by Team A, the marker from Team B cannot start the stall count until the thrower from Team A establishes a pivot, regardless of whether the thrower is in-bounds or out-of-bounds after the interception.

   If the intercepting player catches the disc while running, the marker must wait until they stop and establish a pivot before starting the stall count.

3. 9.3. The marker may only start and continue a stall count when:
   1. 9.3.1. Play is live, or until a pivot is established after a turnover;
   2. 9.3.2. They are within three (3) metres of the thrower's pivot point, or the pivot location if the thrower is not at that location; and
   3. 9.3.3. All defenders are legally positioned (Section 18.1).
4. 9.4. If the marker moves beyond the appropriate three (3) metre radius, or a different player becomes the marker, the stall count must be restarted at “Stalling one (1)”.
5. 9.5. After a stoppage in play the stall count is resumed as follows:
   1. 9.5.1. After an accepted breach by the defence the stall count restarts at “Stalling one (1)”.
   2. 9.5.2. After an accepted breach by the offence the stall count restarts at maximum nine (9).
   3. 9.5.3. After a contested stall-out the stall count restarts at “Stalling eight (8)”.
   4. 9.5.4. After all other calls, including “pick”, the stall count restarts at maximum six (6). However:
      Annotation: Other calls

      All other calls includes:

      • Contested foul
      • Contested goal
      • Contested turnover (excluding stall-out)
      • Violation for sideline obstruction (2.7)
      • Injury
      • Technical
      1. 9.5.4.1. If there is a call involving the thrower, and a separate receiving breach, and the disc is returned to the thrower, the stall count is resumed based on the outcome of the call involving the thrower.
         Annotation: Call involving the thrower and receiving breach

         What: A contested stall out is called against the thrower after the disc has been thrown. A contested receiving foul is called on the resulting pass.

         Result: The disc is returned to the thrower and, as per Rule 9.5.4.1, the stall count restarts at “Stalling 8”.

         What: An accepted marking foul is called by the thrower as the disc is released. A contested receiving foul is called on the resulting pass.

         Result: The disc is returned to the thrower and, as per Rule 9.5.4.1, the stall count restarts at “Stalling 1”.

      2. 9.5.4.2. If there is a violation called related to The Check (Section 10), the stall count resumes at the same count that was determined prior to that violation.
         Annotation: Stall count after check violation

         Play has stopped due to an accepted foul by the thrower. The stall count is going to restart at “Stalling 8”. The defence moves before the check and a violation is called by the offence.

         Even though this is a breach by the defence, Rule 9.5.4.2 means that the stall count will still restart at “Stalling 8”.

6. 9.6. To restart a stall count “at maximum n”, where “n” is determined by 9.5.2, 9.5.4, or 20.3.6, means the following:
   Annotation: Stall counts

   What: If, after a call, a stall count is to be restarted at maximum 6 and:

   1. the stall count was stopped at 4, the stall count restarts on “Stalling 5”
   2. the stall count was stopped at 8, the stall count restarts on “Stalling 6”

   Extra: There does not need to be a gap between “stalling” and the number of the count.

   Note: If there is a disagreement that cannot be resolved about what number the stall count should restart on, the midpoint between the two proposed stall counts should be used, rounded down.

   1. 9.6.1. If “x” is the last agreed number fully uttered prior to the call, then the stall count resumes at “Stalling (x plus one)” or “Stalling n”, whichever of those two numbers is lower.