Supporting Points
Definition: Supporting points are any parts of a disc golf player’s body that are in contact with the playing surface or another object that provides support. A player’s feet are the most common supporting points, but a knee, hand, or other body part can also qualify. Clothing, footwear, canes, crutches, and other mobility devices are treated as part of the player when they provide support. Supporting points are evaluated at the moment the disc is released and are used to determine whether the player has taken a legal stance.
Why It Matters: Supporting points determine whether a throw is made legally from the tee or a marked lie. When teeing off, the player must have at least one supporting point within the teeing area and no supporting point outside it at the moment of release. When throwing from a marked lie, the player must have at least one supporting point on the lie, no supporting point closer to the target than the permitted position behind the marker, and all supporting points in bounds. An improper supporting point can result in a stance violation and a penalty throw.
Term Observations:
- A supporting point does not have to bear most of the player’s weight; contact that provides even slight support can qualify.
- A foot is the most common supporting point, but a hand, knee, or other body part may also provide support.
- Holding or leaning against a tree, rock, post, or similar object can create an additional supporting point.
- A player may run up from behind a teeing area and follow through beyond it, provided all supporting points are legal at the moment of release.
- When throwing from a marked lie, only one supporting point must contact the lie, but every supporting point must remain in bounds and none may be illegally closer to the target.
- Supporting points are especially important when judging foot faults, jump putts, step putts, straddle putts, and throws from awkward lies.
