Glossary
Circle 1
The scoring zone within about 10 metres of the basket, where putting rules and stances apply.
Circle 1 is the official term for the area within 10 metres of the basket, marked in tournament play and used informally at every level to describe short putting range. Once a disc lands inside Circle 1, specific rules apply, including a requirement to keep at least one foot in contact with the ground behind the lie until the disc is released.
This zone matters because it defines what most players think of as a true putt versus a longer approach shot. Statistics from tournament play consistently show that make percentages inside Circle 1 have a huge effect on overall scoring, which is why so much practice time for improving players goes into short range putting rather than only driving for distance.
A common misunderstanding for newer players is treating every throw inside Circle 1 the same way, when in fact the falling putt rule, the one foot rule, and out of bounds lines near the basket all interact differently depending on exact distance and stance. Learning the basic rules around Circle 1 early avoids costly penalty strokes later.