Cgkdisc
.:Hall of Fame Member:.
Noticed several foot faults today both stepping on discs left on ground as their marker and less commonly seen was a plant foot partially off the side of the tee pad touching the playing surface during release. In each case, the player slipped enough that it appeared to affect the quality of their shot. Of course, contacting your marker or having your foot partially contacting the surface outside the pad during release won't always be an issue but it's something the player will not be attempting to do.
We have this inconsistency embedded in the rules where the plant foot partially off the tee pad upon release is not a foot fault if tee pad is far enough above the adjoining surface but a foot fault if the pad is level with the adjoining surface. Supporting point behind marker on release can be in contact with playing surface beyond the 20x30cm lie BUT not in contact in front of it and other supporting points can be in contact with the playing surface behind the front of the lie as long as there's at least one supporting point contacting the 20x30cm lie.
Seems like it would be much simpler to explain, make calls and look more legal on camera if the 802.07 Stance rule would be merged with 802.04 for teeing off and become something like:
Releasing a Throw (modified Stance rule)
When disc is released from a tee pad lie, fairway lie or drop zone lie player must:
1. Have at least one supporting point that is in contact with the lie; and,
2. Have no supporting points NOT in contact with the lie, closer to the target than the lie; and,
3. Have all supporting points inbounds.
Inserting "NOT in contact with the lie" allows additional supporting points to be on the playing surface off the lie during release if they are no closer to the target. In addition, it allows supporting points contacting the lie during release to be partially off the lie in any direction including slightly towards the target including contact with the marker.
We have this inconsistency embedded in the rules where the plant foot partially off the tee pad upon release is not a foot fault if tee pad is far enough above the adjoining surface but a foot fault if the pad is level with the adjoining surface. Supporting point behind marker on release can be in contact with playing surface beyond the 20x30cm lie BUT not in contact in front of it and other supporting points can be in contact with the playing surface behind the front of the lie as long as there's at least one supporting point contacting the 20x30cm lie.
Seems like it would be much simpler to explain, make calls and look more legal on camera if the 802.07 Stance rule would be merged with 802.04 for teeing off and become something like:
Releasing a Throw (modified Stance rule)
When disc is released from a tee pad lie, fairway lie or drop zone lie player must:
1. Have at least one supporting point that is in contact with the lie; and,
2. Have no supporting points NOT in contact with the lie, closer to the target than the lie; and,
3. Have all supporting points inbounds.
Inserting "NOT in contact with the lie" allows additional supporting points to be on the playing surface off the lie during release if they are no closer to the target. In addition, it allows supporting points contacting the lie during release to be partially off the lie in any direction including slightly towards the target including contact with the marker.