Summer League Carbon Flip

Background

In an effort to promote sustainable practices within their league – such as car pooling and bicycling to games – the Peterborough Ultimate League introduced the Carbon Flip to its summer league in 2008 as an alternative to the traditional pre-game flip.

The idea has gained traction throughout the country, and is now also practiced in cities and leagues such as Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, Saskatoon and many others.

We, the VUPS Summer League Committee, consider it a simple, easy to learn, easier to implement practice that appropriately reflects the spirit of Ultimate. It also serves as a reminder of how small measures within our communities can inspire positive, progressive actions that benefit all of us.

As such, VUPS is adopting this policy for our summer leagues in 2011.

The Carbon Flip Rule

The idea is simple: the team with the fewest motorized vehicles at the field when the flip is performed wins the Carbon Flip and gains the traditional advantages associated with winning the flip.

If the number of motor vehicles is equal, each team will be awarded half a point for the flip, and the captains revert to the standard flip process.

Keep it Simple

Simplicity is key. Captains survey their team and do a straight vehicle count, which yields a quick result. Vehicles arriving late do not figure into the count (these players are missing out on playing time, which is their loss). Types of motorized vehicles or distances traveled do not affect the result.

Points Awarded

The various leagues will track the Carbon Flip winners for each game, as captains submit Carbon Flip results along with their game scores. Teams with the highest Carbon Flip rating at the end of the season are in the running for some sweet prizes!! There will even be a Grand Prize for best overall score across all VUPS Summer Leagues!!

Other Considerations

Should vehicles that carry kids or opposing players only count for a half a car? That's for captains to decide. The principle is clear and, if the Carbon Flip engages debate, then we are achieving one of our goals.

In all cases, the flip shouldn't impact the integrity of the game. We encourage teams to practice it, play it and pass it on.