The Carbon Flip
Background
To promote sustainable practices within our league – such as car-pooling and bicycling to games – the Vancouver Ultimate League adopted the Carbon Flip for the traditional 'pre-game toss' in the fall of 2009.
The Carbon Flip is a simple way of encouraging good community practices that reflect the spirit of Ultimate, and one more way that the VUL's Sustainability Policy [pdf] can be demonstrated.
The Carbon Flip Rule
The team with the fewest motorized vehicles at the field when the flip is performed wins the carbon flip and gains the traditional advantages associated with winning the flip. If the number of motor vehicles is equal, no points are awarded for the carbon flip, and captains revert to the standard flip process.
Keep it Simple
Simplicity is key. Captains survey their team and do a straight vehicle count, which yields a quick result. Vehicles arriving later do not figure into the count (these players are missing out on playing time, which is their loss). Types of motorized vehicles or distances traveled do not affect the result.
Points Awarded
The League tracks the CF winners for each game, as captains submit CF results along with their game scores. Teams with the highest CF rating at the end of the season are in the running for awards sponsored by Granville Online. The grand prize will be a team dinner at Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company.
Other Considerations
Should vehicles that carry kids or opposing players only count for a half a car? That's for captains to decide. The principle is clear and, if the Carbon Flip engages debate, then we are achieving one of our goals.
In all cases, the flip shouldn't impact the integrity of the game. We encourage teams to practice it, play it and pass it on.
More Info
The VUL expresses its appreciation to Granville Online, our sponsor for the Carbon Flip. Granville Online is a comprehensive resource for insights, tips, and ideas about living green and living in Vancouver.
The VUL wishes to thank the Peterborough Ultimate League (PUL) for introducing the Carbon Flip to leagues across Canada.