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Goaltimate is a half-court flying disc game derived from ultimate, similar to Hot Box. The object is to score points by throwing a disc to a teammate through a large semicircular hoop--called the goal--into a small scoring area. The name is a portmanteau of Goal and the title Ultimate.
History
Goaltimate was invented by Wellesley College ultimate players as an alternative to ultimate when a snowy playing field and a surfeit of players made ultimate difficult. It was originally played between the lower spars of a set H-shaped football uprights. A Boston player brought the game to San Diego, where they developed it into an independent game and replaced the uprights with a large hoop made with PVC pipes. In 1999, Rick Conner, a San Diego entrepreneur with interest in the sport, subsidised a Goaltimate tournament with a $30,000 purse for the winners, inviting top players from competitive ultimate teams. The San Diego team took the prize, defeating a team from Boston in the finals. Through this introduction the sport rapidly spread across the US as a pickup alternative to ultimate.
Play
Play consists of two teams of four competing in a large ovoid area with the goal at one end and a clear zone in the other. Throwing the disc through the goal to a team mate standing within the scoring area results in one point. A pass through the goal to the scoring area from within the clear zone is worth two points.
The disc may only pass through the goal in the scoring direction, passing otherwise results in a turnover. Like ultimate, turnovers also result when a disc is dropped, intercepted, or goes out of bounds, or when the thrower is stalled. The thrower has 5 seconds to throw, the duration of which is enforced by opponents' stall count. Unlike ultimate, a stall count may be called from anywhere on the playing field, provided it is audible to the thrower. After any turnover or score, the disc must be passed beyond the clear line before the next point may be scored. Play is continuous, with no pause after scores or clears.
Most throwing and receiving rules are identical to those of ultimate. Defensive rules differ in that inadvertent picks are not a violation in goaltimate, and zone defense directly in front of the goal is illegal.
Subsitutions occur on the fly, so teams typically take the opportunity to make subs immediately after gaining possession of the disc.
Games are usually played to 5, in a best of 5 match.
Style of play
Goaltimate offensive strategy mimics that of a basketball offense's halfcourt set. Offensive players stand to the fore of the scoring area and make streaking cuts behind the goal. Throwers attempt to either strike through the goal, or, when this is impossible, reset the disc to a position before the goal. Defenders position themselves between the offensive players and the scoring area, and attempt to minimise throwing windows by remaining aware of where the disc is and from whence a scoring opportunity may ensue.
Even in competitive play, defensive effort against a team trying to clear the disc is often token, as defenders will take the opportunity to rest or position themselves to prevent the two point play. The soaring passes and long, streaking cuts familiar to observers of ultimate are typically only present in goaltimate games during the clear. The exception to lax defence on the clear is when a team gains possession well beyond the goal, as it becomes advantageous to leave the thrower unguarded, and double team cuts coming toward the thrower--similar to guarding an inbounds after a score in a full-court press in basketball. Passing is typically quick, and cuts are squirrelly.
Turnovers occur with greater regularity in goaltimate than ultimate. Scores are frequently achieved in a burst of several in a row, when fatigued defensemen find themselves merely chasing their assigned offensive players but are unable to safely sub out.
External links
"Goaltimate"