Indoor Mixed Hat League 2024-25

When: Sundays,  7 – 11 pm
Dates : First Session – November 10 – December 15 (6 weeks)
Second Session – January 5 – Feb 9 (6 weeks)
Post-Season – Feb 23 & March 2 (2 weeks)
Location: Allsports, Northampton MA
Ages: 15 & over
Cost: $210 for full season (Sessions 1,2, and postseason – 14 weeks)
($120 for one session and post-season – 8 weeks)
sliding scale options available
Registration: By lottery – October 7th – October 20th
Ability Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Vibe: Mixed, Competitive, Fun Ultimate!
Coordinator: Dan Kaplan (he/him) & Ben Ayres (he/him) & Sage Campbell (she/her)

Please note that due to limited indoor availability – this league is scheduled late on a school night – please be aware that this winter we will be unable to make accommodations for individuals to have specific game times – our schedule will be set to evenly distribute early and late games between all teams & participants

Registration – click here

DETAILS: 

League Goals and Values
We look forward to a welcoming, fun, and competitive atmosphere to keep us all playing Ultimate even as the winter weather makes it more difficult to play outdoors.

We seek to create a community space for players to compete in a welcoming and friendly environment. We strive to foster an inclusive playing opportunity and welcome feedback on how to continue to improve in this area. We adhere to the USAU Gender Inclusion Policy and have collected equity resources on our website, which we encourage players to explore. We expect all participants to demonstrate the highest level of respect for one another and the Ultimate community; harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated and should be reported to the league coordinator (contact info below). Players will be removed from play immediately pending further investigation.

VU Winter league competition format:

• 5 v 5, mixed (mixed) play (3:2) defense decides at beginning of each half
• Games are 60 minutes
• Games are continuous with one pull at the start of each half

Dates, Standings, Playoffs: 

• There will be 8 teams, each team will play each other no more than once per session, and we will keep track of standings. 
• February 23rd – quarter-finals
• March 2nd – semis & finals

How are teams formed?

• This is a draft league; Once players are accepted into the league, they will be drafted by captains onto teams.
• Players must be in good standing (paid, registered) to be eligible for the draft
• All appointed captains will meet for a draft at least one week before the season begins. 
• If you would like to be a captain please indicate so on your registration form.
• We intend to create 8 teams (of 12 players -with no more than 50% of players on each team identifying as “men-matching ” (see gender matching section for details).
• If, at some point during the season, a team is in need of players due to low attendance, substitutes may be invited to play with that team as long as they are already existing league players.

Is this league for you?

• This league is open to all players, but will be geared toward an intermediate /advanced  level. Players should have some experience playing ultimate, whether on a team or in a previous league. This is not intended to be a teaching/introductory league.
• Players can sign up individually and may request to play with one friend

Registration: 

• Acceptance into this league is based on a lottery and is not first-come, first-served, though we will weigh the lottery if necessary to allow for equal gender participation. 
• Lottery registration is open from Monday October 7th at 6am and will be open through Sunday October 20th at 10pm.
• We will notify you if you are accepted and collect payment then (you will be required to pay within 3 days of selection- if missed, your registration will be given to someone else). 
• Full-season registration is $210 (half-season is $120) but those who cannot afford to pay full price can choose to pay less at checkout (VU sliding scale).  All players must be current USAU members or purchase the additional, once-per-year Valley Ultimate affiliate fee of $18 (this is how we are being insured).
• Male-Matching players who “bundle” their registration with a female/anyone-matching player will receive priority to participate. 
• If you are interested in playing in this league, please fill out this registration form. 

Pricing (VU Sliding Scale): 
we don’t ask for payment when registering – just after you are accepted into the league….

Full Season:

• Sustainer Price: $255
• Full Registration Price: $210
• Cost Price: $180
• Financial Hardship Price: $105
• Request a full fee waiver – no questions asked

Single Session (includes post-season):

• Sustainer Price: $145
• Full Registration Price: $120
• Cost Price: $105
• Financial Hardship Price: $60
• Request a full fee waiver – no questions asked
  

Gender Matching: 

• Here is language we plan to use regarding gender matching (This was further developed and seemed to work well during our VU Winter League in 2022):
  • Women-Matching (“PLANE ”):  a player who matches up against players who typically play in the women’s division or as women-matching players as defined by USAU. A player signifies “plane”  verbally and/or by hand signals (arms extended out)) when on the line or entering a game.
  • Men-Matching (“FLAG”): a player who matches up against players who typically play in the men’s/open division or as men-matching players as defined by USAU. A player signifies “flag” verbally and/or by hand signals (hands clasped behind head ) when on the line or entering a game. 
  • “Anyone-Matching”: a player who is comfortable marking (or being marked by) any player. Primarily intended for gender-expansive players and not intended for cisgender male players. A player signifies “anyone-matching” verbally and/or by hand signals (arms folded across chest) ) when on the line or entering a game. 

 If you play in the “men’s” or “open’ division on a youth or club team, for this league please consider yourself “male-matching.”

Questions:  Dan Kaplan (he/him) – dan@valleyulltimate.org

 

VU WINTER LEAGUE 2024-25 RULES (details)

Format:

1. We will play on the “large field” at Allsports in Northampton on Sunday evenings. Each team will play one game each night of the season. Because indoor facilities are very expensive, there is virtually no downtime. As soon as one group exits the playing surface, the next group hops on already warmed up and starts playing. 
2. Games are 5v5, with a gender ratio of 3/2 – offense decides (see below). 

Continuous Play:

1. Games run continuously in a two-pull game: one at the start of each half. 
2. After a point is scored, place the disc on the ground.  Then, the team that was scored on starts the next point on offense by “putting the disc into play after a point is scored” (defined below). 
3. “Putting the disc into play after a point is scored” is as follows:
   1. The team becoming offense picks up the disc and brings it to the end zone line nearest to where it was picked up.
   2. The new offense declares the gender ratio (“PLANE ” or “FLAG ”)
   3. Play is halted while any number of players from each team may substitute
   4. Players on offense are asked to use the hand signals (above) at the onset of points so defensive players can match up accordingly.
      1. “Anyone-Matching” players can choose which matchup category they wish to substitute for and can choose either throughout a game 
   5. The thrower must establish a pivot point and start play with a disc check between offense and defense. 
4. If play is started but one or more teams does not have 5 players on the field at the designated gender ratio, a violation can be called.  Play should restart once substitutions are completed.  
5. If substitutions are complete and both teams have 5 players on the field at the designated gender ratio, it is a violation to delay putting the disc into play.  If either the thrower or marker refuses to complete the disc check, they may give a 5 second warning before starting play. 

Game Timing:

1. Games are 60 minute time slots.
2. Game starts at 5 minutes past the hour (allowing 5 minutes to warm up, so get there ahead of time, have your shoes and playing outfit on and be ready)
3. First half should end when point is completed after 30 minutes has expired
4. Halftime is 5 minutes. It can be shorter by agreement of the captains.
5. Second half starts at 35 minutes past the hour, and the game ends at 60 minutes.
6. Each team gets two 60 second timeouts per game.
7. If you have control of the game clock and you are starting late, please set the total time to expire at the end of the time slot.  Exit the field promptly after game has ended so that the next teams (or other non-ultimate sports) can access the field for their reserved times.

End of Game Rules:

1. Game ends at the final buzzer (or when the time expires if buzzer is not available) even if the score is tied.  If the disc is still in play at the time of the buzzer, the game ends after the result of the play is completed.  If the disc is turned after the buzzer, the play can continue until a score or the next turnover (when the game is then over). 
2. If there is a foul or violation called against the defense during the last possession or throw, play can continue for one more throw without a foul or violation.
3. Timeouts may not be called during the last 5 minutes of the game. Any attempt to call a timeout during this period does not result in a turnover, play should immediately restart with a check. 
4. Substitutions are not permitted for both teams during the final 90 seconds of play, except for injuries. 

Boundaries:

1. Any disc that touches the netting, boards, or walls lining the field, is considered out of bounds, even if the disc bounces back onto the playing field. 
2. The walls are out of bounds. Because of the risk of injury, any player who catches a disc while in contact with the wall is out of bounds. Or, catches a disc and subsequently runs into (or just touches) the wall is also out of bounds.  Or gets a D and then runs into the wall, is called for a foul, and the disc goes back to the thrower.
3. The ceiling and/or beams are out of bounds. The disc is put into play where it landed after contact with the beams or ceiling.  If it lands out of bounds or in the endzone, the disc may be put in play according to normal USAU rules.  
4. Endzones are 4 yards deep

Stall Count:

1. Stall count is to 7
2. Contested stalls resume on 5
3. After stoppage of play due to contested fouls, picks, offsetting calls, and unresolved calls, the stall should resume at the count reached plus 1 or 4 if over 3.  This replaces the “if after 5, resume on 6” rule in USAU.  

Other Rules:

1. Each team fields 5 players per point
2. No foot blocks.
3. No cleats are allowed at Allsports – you will need soft-soled athletic shoes or turf shoes.