While the non-stop action of ultimate appeals to fitness buffs, devotees are also drawn to the spirit of sportsmanship. There are no referees. Games are played in two halves of 24 minutes of stop-time, according to international rules. Recreational leagues' times may differ. Finally, there's no running with the disc.
Teams try to score a point by passing the disc until a player catches it in the end zone.
Physical preparation is a must. But Goddard learned the hard way that even if you warm up and stretch before a game to avoid injuries, accidents happen. She started playing ultimate a couple of years ago with friends who'd gather at the University of Toronto. During one winter game, Goddard sprained her ankle running on a muddy field. Still, Goddard delights in what ultimate does for her sports training.