Travelling around the world

One of the rules that was brought in with the 2009 WFDF Rules changes was the change to the travel rule to enhance the fast movement of Ultimate games. We noticed that in a few league games and local tournaments lately this new rule is not known by players or is being incorrectly implemented. Basically, there are now 3 different types of travels, that we will briefly summarise below:

- Uncontested travel, disc has NOT been thrown by traveller.
- Contested travel, disc has NOT been thrown by traveller.
- Uncontested or contested travel, disc HAS been thrown by traveller.

Uncontested travel, disc not thrown
This is the main change to the rule that was brought in. Basically, this new part of the rule states that the stall count pauses after the call, the traveller comes back to the point they should have been at, then the stall count resumes and the thrower may throw the disc. Play downfield does not stop at all. In the words of WFDF:

18.2.7 After an uncontested travel infraction, play does not stop:

18.2.7.1 The thrower establishes a pivot at the correct spot, as indicated by the player who called the travel. This must occur without delay from either player involved.
18.2.7.2 Any stall count is paused, and the thrower may not throw the disc, until the pivot is established at the correct spot.
18.2.7.3 A defensive player should call "Play on" as soon as the pivot has been established.
18.2.7.4 The marker must say "Stalling" or "Play on" before restarting the stall count.

Contested travel, disc not thrown
This situation did not arise very often under the old rules, as there was no benefit or change in situation if a travel was contested. Under the new rules, if a travel is contest and the disc has not been thrown, play stops as per the old rules, the situation is discussed (although any discussion will not change the situation), the disc is checked in and play resumes. In the words of WFDF:

18.2.10 After a contested travel infraction where the thrower has not released the disc, play stops.

Any kind of travel, disc thrown
This rule has not changed from the old rules. If a travel is called and a throw is made and completed, the disc returns to the thrower. If a travel is called, a throw is made and a turnover happens, the turnover stands and play continues. In the words of WFDF:

18.2.8 If, after a travel infraction but before correcting the pivot, the thrower throws a completed pass, the defensive team may call "Violation". Play stops and the disc is returned to the thrower.
18.2.9 If, after a travel infraction, the thrower throws an incomplete pass, play shall continue.

Hopefully that has cleared things up and we can all be more informed and make better calls with the wonderful call that is "Travel".