Format
Each team will play 7 games.
The teams will be divided into 4 pools of 4 teams each that will play a one-way round robin.
At the end of the first phase, the top two finishers in each pool will form 2 upper pools of 4 teams, each consisting of 2 first and 2 second teams from the same pools, and 2 lower pools of 4 teams each consisting of 2 third and 2 fourth teams also from the same pools. In these rounds, games already played will not be played again but the previously obtained result will be used.
The top two finishers from each upper pool will form a 4-team bracket that will play semis and finals for positions 1 through 4.
The third and fourth place finishers from each upper pool will form a 4-team bracket that will play semis and finals for positions 5 through 8.
The top two ranked teams from each lower pool will form a 4-team bracket that will play semis and finals for positions 9 through 12.
The third and fourth ranked teams from each lower pool will form a 4-team bracket that will play semis and finals for positions 13 to 16.
Time
Forty (40) minutes per game, fifty (50) minutes for the final for 1st place.
A team wins having reached the target of thirteen (13) goals.
One timeout per game and lasts seventy-five (75) seconds.
Halftime
Half time occurs after the first team reaches the half time target of seven (7) goals or when ‘half time’ jingle starts. Half time lasts zero (0) minutes.
Cap
When “time is over” jingle starts play continues until the completion of the current point. Then if the difference is zero (0) play another point, if the difference is one (1) or more stop to play.
Just for the final for 1st place: if the difference is 0 or 1, one goal is added to the highest score to determine the final target.
Starting a Game
Representatives of the two teams fairly determine which team first chooses either: whether to receive or throw the initial pull; or which end zone they will initially defend. The other team is given the remaining choice.
At the start of the second half, these initial selections are switched.
Dead heat
In case two teams end up at the same position in the ranking, the winner is determined based on goal difference, head-to-head results, and total goals scored
Gender ratio
Each team must have at least one woman on the line (LOOSE MIXED).
Teams are encouraged to follow the gender Ratio Rule A (“prescribed ratio” rule from WFDF Rules of 5-on-5 Beach Ultimate 2021-2024 Appendix, Paragraph A6.2):
At the start of the game, after the first disc flip, an additional disc flip happens with the winner selecting the gender ratio for the first point. For the second and third points the ratio must be the reverse of the first point. For the fourth and fifth points the ratio must be the same as the first point. This pattern of alternating the ratio every two points repeats until the end of the game (half time has no impact on the pattern).
We suggest to play with a ratio of one (1) female and four (4) males, or with a ratio of two (2) females and three (3) males.
However, teams have the flexibility to mutually agree on an alternative ratio if they wish or use a different rule.
Gender pulling
When two women on the line, one must pull.
Scorekeeping
Both participating teams are responsible for keeping track of the score during the game.
Score and SOTG
Teams need to fill out the SOTG (Spirit of the Game) FORM and sign SCORE SHEET after each game (You can find the score sheet hung on the scoreboard).
Play safe, have fun, and maintain good Spirit of the Game (Mind the SOTG)!