What is Spirit of the Game (SOTG)?

• A. A scoring method
• B. The governing body
• C. A guiding principle emphasizing fair play, sportsmanship, and self-officiating
• D. A type of foul

Answer: (C)

Spirit of the Game is about how players carry themselves on the field—it’s the guiding principle that emphasizes fair play, sportsmanship, and self-officiating. In Ultimate, many formats rely on players to call their own fouls and resolve disputes, so maintaining integrity, respect for opponents, and responsibility for one’s actions keeps the game honest and enjoyable. This mindset supports the sport’s flow and safety, and it underpins how calls are made, how disagreements are handled, and how participants conduct themselves, even when no referee is present. It isn’t a scoring method, a governing body, or a type of foul; it’s the underlying attitude and standard that all players strive to uphold.