Game Advisors

Game Advisors are WFDF Officials that are used at certain events. The aim of Game Advisors is to support the players to self-officiate as effectively and efficiently as possible. Players remain responsible for making and resolving all game calls.

You can find out more about Game Advisors by looking at Section B 6.3 of the Appendix, from the GA Infographic (below), or from the WFDF Game Advisor Manual (linked below with text from the manual outlining the guiding principles for Game Advisors).

If you would like more information about the role of Game Advisors, how to have Game Advisors at your event, or how to become a Game Advisor, please send an email to game.advisors@wfdf.sport

Note: The Game Advisor Manual should only be used in conjunction with training provided by a WFDF approved Game Advisor Trainer.

Guiding Principles for Game Advisors

Taken from the WFDF Game Advisor Manual v8, 2. Guiding Principles for Game Advisors

A Game Advisor’s key functions in order of priority:

1. Communicate clearly information to players and spectators.

  • Mostly done via hand signals and whistles, this is to help the game run smoothly.

2. Assist players to discuss calls.

  • Keeping players aware of the appropriate process for resolving calls can help move things along.

3. Provide Clarifications on the rules, when asked.

  • Often disputes come down to players not knowing or disagreeing about the rules, so having someone there to assist with that helps.

4. Provide Perspective on calls, when asked.

  • Being able to provide an independent perspective can help with call resolution, even if that perspective is that it was "too close to tell" what occurred in the play.

5. Provide information to the Tournament Rules Group (TRG), when needed.

  • Being able to provide information for the TRG on the Spirit performance of the teams and potential breaches of the WFDF Conduct policy.

As a Game Advisor, your fundamental role is to help players uphold the Section 1.0 of the WFDF Rules Of Ultimate - Spirit of the Game. It is important to help assist players in creating an environment that fosters good Spirit and respect among teammates and opponents.

The Game Belongs to the Players. A game of Ultimate with Game Advisors should as much as possible:

  • Be Self-officiated

  • Feel Self-officiated for the Players

  • Look Self-officiated to the spectators

Managing and conducting the game is primarily the players’ responsibility, and the outcome of a game should be decided by their actions, not those of Game Advisors. Game Advisors should start each game with the expectation that their involvement in the game will be minimal, and with the assumption that all players will adhere to the rules and relevant timings of their own accord.

It can help to define the role of Game Advisor by what it is not:

  • It is not to alter the outcome, or the course, of a contest. All calls and play stoppages are initiated by the players, and if there is a reasonable chance that the players may be able to quickly resolve a dispute on their own, they should be afforded the opportunity to do so before GA intervention.

  • It is not to try to reduce the number of contested calls. We are there to increase the understanding of the rules between players, provide information that might assist players to make a call, and to reduce the time it takes to get to a resolution on calls, even if that resolution is a contested call.

  • It is not to render justice. Players sometimes will agree on the “wrong” solution (i.e., you may feel that the players’ decision – perhaps a do-over – is not supported by what actually occurred). In such cases, do not intervene or suggest a course of action. It is preferable that players settle matters amongst themselves rather than have a non-player provide advice, especially if they do so quickly.

  • It is not to equalize past wrongs. Provide advice based upon what you see and the applicable rules. Do not take into account the reputations of the players involved. Generally, do not account for what may have happened on a previous play. The only exception: calls should be consistent across one particular game. You should mention that if it is relevant as part of requested rules clarifications.