Starting in Summer 2019, all mixed 7v7 leagues in WODS will play using the gender ratio rule known as "Rule A." Many Ultimate leagues across Canada and the world are adopting this rule in order to give those that identify as female more opportunities to play Ultimate and to facilitate equal playing time among genders.

What is Rule A?

From the WFDF rule book:

A7.2. Ratio Rule A (“prescribed ratio” rule): A7.2.1. 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).

Although it's not explicitly stated in the rule, the ratio that you choose is either 3:4 or 4:3 (women:open).

This rule is also sometimes described as "ABBA," where A = 3:4 and B = 4:3.  First point you play is A, second is B, third B, fourth A, repeat (ABBA ABBA ABBA ABBA... until The Winner Takes it All... in Waterloo... Mamma Mia!).  

Why did WODS make the change?

Many Ultimate leagues across Canada and the world are adopting this rule to support gender equity and to facilitate equal playing time among genders. WODS wants to see continued growth of Ultimate in our community, and believes that in the long term, more play time for women means more women playing, and ultimately more teams playing.

How does this impact your team?

Your roster should only need one extra female and one fewer male (though you could keep the same number of males with slightly less playing time each).

Want some tips on recruiting and retaining women players? See www.vul.ca/article/recruit-retain-women

If you need help finding players or subs, please email leagues@wods.ca for assistance (note: the more time in advance you can give, the more likely you will be to find someone!).

How to keep track of the gender ratio during games?

There are a few options:

Phone app

• Available at scores.playwithspirit.com/
• Keeps track of score and gender ratio
• Works as a home screen app
• Doesn't need an Internet connection

Paper cheatsheet

• Laminated versions of this were given out at the captain's meeting
• You can also pick up a laminated version from a league coordinator
• Or, print a paper copy here
• You still have to track the score separately (e.g., using the physical scoreboards)
• But you can use this to double-check what the gender ratio should be for a specific point

Free-form notes

• Either on paper or in a text doc on your phone
• If your team numbers players and rotates through them evenly, this may be the easiest way to keep track of rotation and gender ratio
• Use one row per point played, and mark down who was on the field for that point (e.g., first row: 0-0, W123 M1234; second row: 1-0, W4561 M567; etc.)

Has your team thought of other effective ways to keep track? Share your ideas with leagues@wods.ca, and we'll update this page to include them.

Have feedback on how things are going?

Let us know what you think is going well, or what you think needs to be improved, by emailing leagues@wods.ca with your feedback and suggestions.

Thanks for your continued support!