Mixed Gender Play

Ultimate is a unique sport that, because of its non-contact rules and playing style, allows for a mixed-gender format. Often called just “mixed,” this format allows for both men and women to play together on the same field. The competition is still high but mixed can bring out a lot more team spirit and camaraderie between the players.

 

Gender Ratio

In mixed the ratio of men and women can fluctuate from point to point. The ratio is determined by a designated endzone chosen before the game by the captains of each team playing. This endzone is called the “genzone,” a combination of gender and endzone. No matter whether the team in the genzone is playing offense or defense, the opposite endzone must match the ratio that the genzone team has.

The only ratios that are always acceptable are four men and three women, known as 4-3, or four women and three men, known as 3-4. The team in the genzone may put out either ratio at any point. However, if decided by the captains prior to the game, other ratios may be acceptable. A common alternative ratio is 5-2, or five men and two women.

 

On-field Play

  Figure 1: Ho-Stack

Mixed teams often run a ho-stack offense in comparison to a vert-stack offense. Ho-stack gives each cutter and handler more room and space to make their cuts. Remembering from last week’s ho-stack explanation, each cutter is spread out evenly in a horizontal line as shown in figure 1. Each cutter can move without waiting on another cutter to initiate, giving the offense a more constant flow than vert-stack, which can be more stagnant as each cutter waits for the one behind to cut.

 

Figure 2: Poaching in Vert-Stack

Vert-stack can also be victim to poaching by off-gender defensive players. As shown in figure 2, in a vert-stack a woman on offense (white circle in the back of the stack) may be cutting from the five. A man on defense (the second diamond), who is supposed to be guarding a male offensive player (the second circle), may then jump out of the stack formation to make a play on the disc. This is called “poaching,” where the man on defense leaves his designated player in person-to-person defense, to play an impromptu zone defense or make a play on the disc. Poaching is a tougher defensive skill that can have consequences if done incorrectly. The offensive player who is then unguarded can do whatever they want without a defender to guard them against getting the disc.