PUL has a few key rules that are league specific, namely:
Team Ratio
PUL has officially decided to follow Ultimate Canada and move to the WFDF mixed gender Ratio Rule A (aka gender parity). In PUL this will affect all team-based leagues and start in 2019. This ratio rule may or may not apply to tournaments and hat/draft leagues. Before we go any further, any references to men, women, male or female include players that identify as such for matching gender ratio purposes as per the Ultimate Canada Inclusion Policy.
What is Rule A (Section A7.2, WFDF Rule of Ultimate 2017)?
Before the start of the game (after Carbon Flip for PUL) an additional disc flip happens with the winner selecting the gender ratio for the first point. For the next two points the ratio will be reversed (points 2 and 3). For the two points after this, the ratio must follow the first point (points 4 and 5). This pattern of alternating the ratio every two points, repeats until the end of the game. Halftime has no impact on this pattern.
Gender-Matching Pulling
PUL is inspired by WFDF and adopting a new rule for pulling in league play. A player representing the gender with four players on the field must pull for that point.” This essentially means that half of the pulls in a match will be from man-matching players and half of the pulls in a match will be from woman-matching players.
Footblocks
Just to clarify PUL allows footblocks in all leagues in accordance with 11th edition rules.
Carbon Flip
PUL has replaced the standard pre-game flip with the Carbon Flip, which awards all the normal benefits of winning the flip to the team that has the highest percentage of passengers/cyclists/walkers divided by the number of rostered players at the game to determine the winner. Winners choose either to receive/pull or which end to start at. Losers chase the remaining option left (receive/pull or which end to start at.)
Timeouts
As of 2016 PUL has officially adopted a rule of no timeouts within five (5) minutes of a game’s time cap for league play.
For more detailed information on PUL policies, including the Safe Conduct Policy, Dangerous Play Policy, and Bad Weather Policy, please visit the Policies page.
Summer Playoff Subs Policy
New for 2026 we are updating our subs policy for all summer leagues. There is no longer a 4 game minimum for subs to play in playoffs, any player that has a valid 2026 PUL membership can sub on any team, at any time.
But let’s take a moment to remember that a sub is literally that: a substitute for a player that is unable to play a game. They are not an addition to your existing roster AND the sub is required to be of equal or lesser skill level than the player they are replacing.
In addition, captains are required to communicate with their opposing captain that they are using a sub and agreement is required. In the case of a disagreement about subs, please contact the League Coordinator. It is highly advised that you communicate subs well before game time, where possible, to avoid last minute issues.
Inclement Weather Policy
RAIN: Rule one about rain is that if you’re destroying fields, simply DON’T PLAY. Standing water on a field is a good
indication of definitely not playing. Use your discretion and take the long view – that is, we want quality fields all season long. Please have a system in place to alert your players. We will not be holding make-up games this year. Games scheduled on turf fields should be fine either way, but on natural grass fields, be smart. The ladder system allows for team rankings even if there is disparity in number of games played.
LIGHTNING: Upon seeing lightning, teams must clear the field immediately and take shelter. Teams are under NO obligation to continue play. Do not pressure or guilt the other team into playing. Wait 30 minutes and assess whether or not the lightning will pass. Please take every precaution before resuming play and do not pressure teams that are reluctant to continue, especially if there is still a threat of lightning in the area.
EXTREME HEAT: If a humidex advisory is issued, all or some of the following measures will be implemented and agreed
upon by the Captains before the game:
Delay of game, 7:15pm for example
Game goes to 13 instead of 15
Reduce game intensity
Additional and/or longer timeouts
Additional time between points
Games will be cancelled if the heat index reaches 37.7 C (100F) or a Humidex of 40 for the duration of the game
SMOKE: If Peterborough is predicted to be in the 4-6 range, or higher, during the game, all or some of the following
measures will be implemented subject to agreement by the Captains before the game:
Delay of game, 7:15pm for example
Game goes to 13 instead of 15
Reduce game intensity
Additional and/or longer timeouts
Additional time between points
Games will be cancelled if the AQUI reaches 7+