Fricket is a non-contact game of skill and amusement. The use of a flying disc, 4' wickets, and some plastic cups equates to potential hours of entertainment. Fricket is also frequently called Cups, Suzy Sticks or Disc Cricket. (FYI, the name “Fricket” is derived from the combination of the words "Frisbee" and "Cricket.")
Here’s how you begin:
- Get some buddies. The game is usually played two on two, although it is entirely possible to play with just two people.
- Dig out four 4- or 5-foot-long wickets. Bamboo garden stakes, wood dowels, or steel or plastic rods all make excellent wickets in/around the half-inch diameter range.
- Find at least four 12-ounce plastic cups and an Ultimate disc.
- Set up the wickets by poking them into the ground. You’re going to make a long rectangle with them. Place one pair approximately 15 inches apart, walk-off approximately 40 feet (+/- 13 paces), and poke in the second pair. Do your best to make all the angles square.
- Place the cups on top of the wickets
- Play! Each team stands behind a wicket pair and aims to throw the disc between the other team’s wickets without knocking off the cups or by knocking the cups off. Points can be scored in a variety of ways. Please refer to the scoring section for scoring details.
I. Introduction
Description - A game is played by two teams of one or two persons each. Each team takes turns attempting to split the other team's wickets. Games are played to 11, 15, or 21 points, and points are earned as follows:
- If a cup is knocked off by an incoming disc and it touches the ground, the throwing team earns 1 point.
- If the knocked-off cup is caught by a receiving team member with one hand before it touches the ground, the receiving team earns 1 point.
- If the disc passes between the wickets without touching, the throwing team earns 2 points.
Narcissism Clause - A game may be played under any variations of the rules agreed upon by the two teams. Such things as length of the game, the distance between wickets, and style points can easily be altered to suit the level of play.
II. Equipment
- A flying disc.
- Four 4- or 5-foot-long, 0.5-inch diameter wickets. Bamboo garden stakes, wood dowels, or steel or plastic rods all make excellent wickets.
- Four 12- or 16-ounce plastic cups. Replacement cups are handy.
III. Set-Up
Push the wickets vertically into the ground in a long, rectangular shape. Place one pair approximately 15 inches apart (“a disc and a fist”), walk-off approximately 40 feet (+/- 13 paces), and poke in the second pair (do your best to make all the angles square). Place the four cups on top of the wickets.
IV. Length of Game
Duration - A game is played to 11, 15, or 21 points. Teams switch sides when one team reaches 6, 8, or 10 points.
Points - Each cup that strikes the ground is worth one (1) point for the opposing team. Each one-handed catch is worth one (1) point from a thrown disc. A split wicket goal is worth two (2) points.
V. Substitutions
No team may substitute another player without game forfeit unless the other team agrees.
VI. Method of Play
The team that throws the initial throw is determined by any mutually agreed upon method (ro-sham-bo, disc flipping, etc.). The teams alternate throws toward the opposing team’s wickets and attempt to earn points by dislodging one or both of the cups or by splitting wickets. If each team consists of two players, then the teammates alternate throwing the disc.
VI. Positioning
The wickets serve as throwing lines for each team, and throws can be made inside or outside of the defending wickets. It is not necessary for the thrower to establish a pivot foot before throwing. Any type of throw is permitted as long as the thrower does not pass in front of the wickets before releasing the disc.
Receiving players are allowed to take any position in anticipation of the throw as long as no receiver’s hand is closer than one disc diameter from each wicket or cup. Receiving players may not touch the disc until after it has passed their defending wickets.
VII. Scoring
Fricket points are earned as follows:
- If a cup is knocked off by an incoming disc and it touches the ground, the throwing team earns 1 point.
- If the knocked-off cup is caught by a receiving team member with one hand before it touches the ground, the receiving team earns 1 point.
- If the disc passes between the wickets without touching, the throwing team earns 2 points.
Interesting (but feasible) scenarios:
- If a team manages to dislodge both cups (i.e., double cups), points are scored based on whether each cup is caught or not.
- If a receiving team, in the action of catching the disc or a cup, causes a cup to be dislodged and strike the ground, the newly dislodged cup will be scored for the throwing team. However, if the receiving team legally catches the newly dislodged cup, no points for that cup will be scored by either team.
- Bobbling – intentional or accidental – to gain control of the cup is permitted, as long as the cup is not touched with two hands simultaneously or trapped against the body. Bobbling may occur between team members, but the same rules apply.
VIII. Violations
Foot Fault - If a throwing player steps beyond the wickets, the receiving team shall call "foot fault" and no points shall be scored by the thrower. Points earned by the receiving team for a catch are scored. In the event of a contested foot fault, the disc returns to the thrower to be re-thrown. No points are scored by either team for the disputed throw.
Goaltending - The receiving team shall not touch the disc until it has completely crossed their wicket line. If a goaltending call is made by the throwing team, the disc shall be returned to the thrower to be re-thrown. The receiving team shall not take a position that interferes with the throw by the throwing team.
Two-hand Catch - Falling cups must be caught with one hand to earn points. If a receiving player, in an attempt to catch a cup dislodged from a wicket by the disc, contacts the cup with both hands simultaneously, points will not be earned by the receiver. The receiving player may touch the cup with both hands if not done simultaneously. If two receivers touch the cup simultaneously, points will not be earned by the receivers.
Trapping - Falling cups may not be trapped with his or her hand against any portion of his or her body or his or her partner’s body. If a receiving player traps a dislodged cup, no points will be earned. If a cup lands upon any portion of a receiving player’s body (other than an open palm), and remains stationary, the cup shall be counted as not caught, as any attempt to pick up the cup will result in a trap.
Grounding - If the disc touches the ground prior to striking a wicket or passing between the wickets, no points are awarded to the throwing team. If a cup is dislodged and legally caught by the receiving team, that cup will be scored.
Disputes are to be resolved by mutual agreement. If no agreement can be reached between the teams, the disagreement shall be referred to onlookers for a decision. If a consensus cannot be reached by that method, the disc shall be returned to the thrower for a re-throw.
IX. History
1993 - Fricket is played at the 1993 Ultimate World Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. The North Bay "NADS" and/or the Ottawa "Mufferaw Joe" teams were the alleged enthusiasts.
1997 - Fricket is reportedly very popular at Ultimate events in Canada and is gaining popularity in the US.
1998-2002 - "Cups" is played at many Ultimate tournaments, from Solstice to Poultry Days.
2001 - First evidence of internet presence. Craig Giles posts the rules of the game for Fricket.
2002 - Fricket becomes a staple in the Boulder, Colorado, Ultimate community. Games are reportedly played in local and state Ultimate tournaments.
2002 - Fricket.org is created to better support the game of Fricket, its players, and the disc community as a whole.
2002-2006 – Fricket becomes the pastime of choice for countless disc enthusiasts across the US.
