Rules & Etiquette

Lie & Foot Faults

Establish a legal stance and avoid foot faults.

Why it matters

A foot fault is the easiest penalty to avoid and the easiest to commit without noticing, particularly on a follow-through. In casual play it mostly causes arguments; in a tournament it costs a throw. Both are avoidable by placing your foot deliberately rather than arriving at it.

How to do it

Mark your lie, then place a supporting point within 30 centimetres directly behind the marker (PDGA 802.07).
No supporting point may be closer to the target than the rear edge of your marker at the moment of release.
Other body parts may be anywhere, including in front of the marker — it is supporting points that are restricted.
Inside circle 1 (10 metres), you must also demonstrate full control of balance after release before advancing past the marker (806.01).
Outside circle 1, following through past the marker after release is legal and normal.

Common mistakes

Stepping past the marker before the disc has left your hand.Place the foot first, deliberately, and release before anything moves past the marker.

Falling forward on a putt inside the circle.That is a stance violation however well the putt flew. If you have to fall forward to reach, you are outside your range.

Thinking any part of you in front of the marker is a fault.Only supporting points. You can lean a long way forward as long as nothing supporting you is past the line.

Moving a branch or a stone to make the stance easier.Obstacles to a stance may not be moved (803.01). Take the lie you have.

Key points

Plant a supporting point behind your marker.
No part of you may be closer to the target at release.
Hold balance until the disc lands (inside the circle).

The drill

Drill · Place the foot — 1 round deliberately placing the front foot before every throw. Mark every lie and consciously place your supporting foot behind the marker before every throw, including ones where it plainly does not matter. One round of this and it becomes automatic, which is what you want before it is a tournament and somebody is watching.

Watch: 🥏 How Far Behind Your Lie Can You Throw? — JustDisc