As the governing body of international disc sports competition, the World Flying Disc Federation monitors and certifies various world records for select disc sports and other specific feats. To see the current list of world records, please visit wfdf.org.
There are two classes of world records recognized by WFDF:
- records in the measurable overall events: accuracy, maximum time aloft (MTA), throw run and catch (TRC), self-caught flight (SCF), and distance
- other “challenge” records.
The overall event world records apply to the officially recognized disc sports sanctioned by WFDF and reflect unsurpassed achievements in those sports that objectively measure specific athletic feats in the course of approved events.
The challenge records can be seen in the listing of WFDF records. For instance, there are records for the longest basketball field goal throw, the longest roller, and the longest MTA on ice. These challenges have different competitive standards.
Challenge records apply to any feat that a) is only possible by somehow altering the rules of a WFDF-governed disc sport; b) introduces new or specific parameters to the standard events; c) attempts to measure a previously unmeasured aspect of an official WFDF event; or d) attempts to create a superlative measurable result for a disc activity outside the official WFDF disc events.
In certifying overall event world records (distance, SCF, MTA, TRC, and accuracy), WFDF applies these criteria:
- Overall event world records must be attempted within a WFDF-approved competitive event, which follows WFDF event guidelines.
- Any overall record attempt must be approved by WFDF officials at least three months prior to the date of the event.
- For an event to be approved, it must be widely advertised at least two months in advance, allowing interested athletes the opportunity to arrange travel and accommodations. A longer lead time is advised.
- Except under special circumstances, and with prior WFDF approval, at least 10 competitors must be present at the event.
- Measurements must be gathered and recorded according to WFDF guidelines for an approved event.
- Copies of original score sheets must be submitted electronically or by mail.
- A tournament director or other tournament official must approve and sign the application for a record certification.
- In addition to these guidelines, WFDF officials also reserve the right, under special circumstances, to certify records achieved at events that are appropriately certified by other WFDF member disc sports organizations (e.g. Freestyle Players Association, USA Ultimate, Professional Disc Golf Association, or USA Guts). This approval must also be arranged at least three months prior to the event.
- WFDF reserves the right to apply these guidelines as deemed appropriate for individual situations with the goal of maintaining the most equitable arrangements for all involved.
Age Category Exceptions
Due to travel limitations, younger players (under 13) and older players (over 80) are given the latitude to set records using competitive standards, but not necessarily as part of an approved competition. In these situations, the competitive format is simulated, with no more than 15 attempts allowed in a day for distance, MTA and TRC. That is the number of attempts that would be provided by a standard three-round competitive format. Accuracy is also limited to three rounds.
Challenge Record Arrangements:
Challenge records may receive exceptions to the guidelines above with several requirements:
- A challenge record attempt must be approved by WFDF officials at least one month in advance.
- Number of attempts should be limited to no more than three rounds on any one day. One round is five throws for MTA, TRC, and Distance, and 28 throws for Accuracy. If there is doubt about the rules, it is recommended that the strictest interpretation be adopted. For any attempt, expert officiating is required.
- A minimum of three independent witnesses must be present at the event.
- Video or photographic evidence must corroborate the application for record certification. Additional evidence may be required by WFDF.
Reporting
In order to receive sanction as an official record, the information about a new record must be sent to WFDF as soon as possible. That must be done on a WFDF World Record Report Form, which must be completely filled out and accompanied by evidence that the event was properly organized and had the correct prior approval. When possible, video documentation of submissions is encouraged. In some cases noted, video is required.
Record age class examples
Youth class example:
A player in the “under 14” class must not have attained his or her 14th birthday on, or prior to the day of the record performance.
Older player class example:
A player in the “over 80” class must have attained his or her 80th birthday on, or prior to the day of the record performance.
For records that cover multiple days, the player must be the correct age on all days of the performance.
The Guinness Book of Records
The Guinness Book of World Records lists some flying disc records. Their categories and standards are not related to those of WFDF. Inquiries concerning Guinness records should be directed to that organization.
Individual Events
For distance, MTA and TRC, the surface of the field must be level. No detectible degree of slope is acceptable. If there is any doubt, the throwing and catching (or landing) point should be measured with surveying equipment or a simple inclinometer. The burden of proof of demonstrating these facts rests on those parties seeking certification of the record.
Distance
There is no restriction on wind level for the outdoor record.
For roller distance attempts, the throw must roll on the ground for at least half of the total distance covered.
For upside-down distance attempts, the disc must be released either vertically or with the top surface (crown) of the disc facing the ground. The disc must also travel the entire flight, including the landing, without ever having the underside of the disc facing down. Thus, twisting or “corkscrew” flights are not allowed.
Measurement is to the nearest meter.
MTA
Three watches must record the event with the median (middle) of the three times being used as the official result.
Timing is to the nearest hundredth of a second.
TRC
Measurement is to the nearest meter.
Accuracy
The target and field must meet WFDF standards.
Under 13, Over 80, Canine, Mini and All Others Listed Under “Other Records”
Attempts on these records may be made outside of approved competition (see above), but the record attempts must conform to competitive standards for field layout and measuring.
Guts Speed Catch
A Professional Model Frisbee disc must be delivered and caught behind the respective foul line on a regulation guts court (14 meters). The catch must be clean, i.e. caught cleanly in one hand with no bobbling or trapping against the body. The speed must be electronically timed by a radar device operated by qualified personnel.
Big Chest Roll
This record must be achieved with a hand-thrown disc. No mechanical assist is allowed. Other than the initial player in the roll, all others must have their arms interlocked and may not use their arms or hands to accelerate the disc as it rolls. Any other body movement is allowed. Submissions for this record must include unedited, continuous video, which provides visual documentation of the roll.
Consecutive Chest Roll
Submissions for this record must include unedited, continuous video, which provides visual documentation of the rolls.
Wheelchair Records
The field event records for players in wheelchairs are divided into categories determined by the player’s level of disability:
- Class 1 — paralyzed from the chest down
- Class 2 — paralyzed from the waist down
- Class 3 — amputee or full-hip mobility
Group Records
Discs used in all of the following records must meet vintage class specifications (see section 804.08[A]).
Group Marathon
An unlimited number of participants is allowed. At least two players must be playing at any time, at a distance of at least 14 meters. No more than 30 seconds may pass without an exchange of the disc.
Two-Person Marathon
Players must exchange the disc from a distance of at least 14 meters. No more than 30 seconds may pass without an exchange of the disc during the marathon attempt. Five-minute rest intervals are permitted, but only after each completed hour. The rest breaks are optional and may be accumulated (for example, 3 hours of activity earns 15 minutes of rest time, etc.). Violation of the rest interval rules will disqualify an attempt. The accepted record will be the gross time (total elapsed time, including rest intervals, from start to finish). However, unused accumulated rest break time cannot be added to the final figure.
In the nature of record-breaking, the duration of “marathons” will tend to be pushed to greater and greater extremes. It should be stressed that marathon attempts are not without possible dangers. Those responsible for marathon events are counseled to seek medical advice before and observation during marathons which involve extended periods with little or no sleep.
24-Hour Pair Distance
The playing field is determined by two parallel lines, which are to be at least 10 meters apart. Any greater separation may be used and altered during the attempt, if accurate documentation is maintained. The distance between the lines is to be added to the total distance covered each time the disc is transferred from a player holding the disc while standing behind a foul line to being held by a player standing behind the opposite foul line.
The disc may be moved in any way including being carried from behind one line to behind the other. Short throws must be picked up and carried behind the line to get credit for the distance. Overthrows may be thrown back from well behind the line, but credit is given only for the distance between the lines on each transfer. Time begins with the release of the first throw, and final measurement should be made to the point at which the disc is held or flying at the end of 24 hours. If a disc is replaced, the new disc must enter play at the exact position the previous disc was removed. Players may take breaks as desired.
24-Hour Group Distance
An unlimited number of players may participate. Only four players may perform at any given time. To insure comparability of all attempts, play must take place on an official group distance field with the minimum side length being 10 meters.
Players are stationed A, B, C, and D with the disc being thrown either A-B-C- D or the reverse. For a lap to be completed, the disc must be held by a player standing in each of the corner sites extended. If a throw is errant, it must be retrieved, taken to the site, and thrown to the next site.
A judge must constantly be present to log players and record laps. Time begins with the release of the first throw and final measurement should be made to the point at which the disc is held or flying at the end of 24 hours. If a disc is replaced, the new disc must enter play at the exact position the previous disc was removed.
Marathon Ultimate or Guts
Play must be held under official WFDF rules with normal halftimes or time- outs and 10 minutes between each game. Unlimited substitution is allowed with a maximum of 15 players per ultimate team and seven per guts team.
Two-Person Discathon Marathon (42.195 km)
The team of two players must follow standard discathon procedures in an alternating relay with each player, in turn, covering a discathon course that is exactly 1 kilometers in length. The course is to be measured by minimum running distance of all mandatories without penalties. To begin the event, both players cover an additional 195 meters, prior to the beginning of the relay. This allows the total distance to be exactly the length of a marathon. Split times should be kept for each completed kilometer. Disc replacement is allowed as necessary, so that a player always has three discs in play.
Altitude Ultimate Game
Minimum field size: 50m x 15m (end zones 10m x 15m)
Minimum players per team: 5
Minimum game length: 7 points with 3 time outs per team per half. Half time at 4 points.
All other game rules per WFDF standards.
Documentation and Verification
No particular form is required, and no entry fee is payable. In any case, the burden of proof rests with the claimant. No claim that is insufficiently documented can be accepted as accurate. As noted above, video documentation is encouraged and for some records, required.
Claimants should obtain independent corroboration in the form of local or national newspaper, radio or TV coverage. Newspaper clippings must be annotated with the name of the newspaper, its place of publication, and the date of issue in which the article appeared. When possible, the name of the reporter and a black-and-white and/or color action photograph should also be supplied. Video may also be made available online.
Claimants should send signed authentication by independent, impartial adult witnesses or representative of organizations of standing in their community. Where applicable, a signed document showing ratification by a governing body should be supplied (see above). A claim is naturally enhanced by a witness with a high degree of expertise in the area of endeavor.
Signed logbooks should show there has been unremitting surveillance in the case of endurance events. These log books must include, in chronological order, the times of the activity and the times and durations of all rest breaks taken. The logbooks must be legible and readily decipherable. They must include signatures of witnesses with times of entering and leaving (at least two independent witnesses must be on hand at all times). Where applicable, score sheets must be kept to demonstrate a satisfactory rate of play.
All submissions become the property of WFDF. WFDF will consider, but not guarantee, the return of physical materials only if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is supplied with sufficient postage.