Thoughts.

I should first disclaim by saying that I’m presupposing a 3-handler set–the same general tenets for motion apply to other sets as well, but be aware of the differences in spacing they bring.

Generally speaking, you have two sources of motion in a zone O: the poppers or the handlers. Wing motion tends to synergize with popper motion, but by itself does not do a lot, due to the large swath of space a deep can cover.

If your primary source of motion is the handlers–weaving and the like–the poppers will wind up doing a bit less to break the cup, and the converse is also true–if poppers are your primary source of motion, your handlers will generally have to move less. This does not mean they aren’t working and moving. Great zone defenses, will likely pressure you into moving with both units at varying intervals, just like the handlers and cutters will take turns taking responsibility to move the disc in man defense. Having a range of capabilities will make your offense more versatile, and harder to stop.

The number one consideration with zone O, as with any O, is simple:
Create space. Find space.

You are always doing one of the two, regardless of role. Motion is a means to these ends. A lack of motion can also enable these same ends in the right situations.

How do the poppers, and by extension the wings, make space and find space? Conventional wisdom says the poppers/backfield look to do one of a few things:

1. Get the swing continuation. This requires some teamwork–either with the wing on that side or the other popper or both–to split the defender on that side of the field before the cup is set (or if the cup is conceding the up-the-line). Usually this means one wide cut to the line and one “gut” cut more straight to the disc.

   See left. With three receivers it can get a little crowded, but the wing cuts to pull her defender to the sideline while the two poppers work different angles, the assumption being that if the cup gets over in time the point will only be able to stop one, leaving a hole for the other. More on this (flooding an area) below.

2. Crash the cup. This is either a move to bail out the handler at a high stall or a feint to create a hole to enable a pass elsewhere (#3). A good tool to have, able to take advantage an over or under-zealous cup. (NB: handlers can crash the cup too, from behind. The forward momentum you can get coming this way puts the cup slightly out of position = more potential holes)
3. Get the pass through the cup (“find holes”). Probably the most punishing of the three conventional popper options, as this tends to result in a popper with a disc in mid-field, ahead of the cup. When you get to this position you’re off to the races! Short, qick passes to the other downfield receivers (who are hopefully finding space coming towards the disc) can result in some quick yard gains, or potentially free up a deep strike for a quick finish. It can be difficult to get this sort of look against disciplined cups or against a team that continues to throw zone and makes adjustments, however.

The other option a popper should always be aware of (and the primary one a wing should be looking for):

• Get an over-the-top to space–typicaly, this has similar results to #3 above (depending on the speed of the throw and the location of the popper).

The last smatters of 2-handler set, I know, but in appropriate situations this can become an option for a team with a good thrower in a 3-handler set, and experienced poppers are on the lookout for these situations.

See to the left for a rough idea–with the two wings occupying the deep defenders (one coming in for what could look like a blade; the other moving across–not a terribly threatening cut with the deep there but hopefully enough to make the wing look), one of the poppers can drop back 5 yards and find herself in a good spot to get a quick, short hammer/scoober/lefty blade.  (You’ll note I didn’t suggest a high-release backhand).

How do you consistently create any of the above situations? Each one requires the popper to be ready, in a particular position at a particular time–cutting for the swing too late means the cup is there to stop it; too early usually means a throw for short yards (or to a stopped receiver–D bait), usually not significant enough to break the zone.  Crashing the cup to create a hole is only useful when the other popper is in position to fill said hole, and the handler is prepared to throw to her.  An over-the-top needs a capable thrower and a popper finding space before the defense adjusts to take it away–all are delicate acts.

Even great offensive teams fail to capitalize on every opening. The two keys to generating more openings:

• Disc motion. It doesn’t necessarily need to move far and fast, but one of the two is usually necessary to keep the D on its toes and hopefully catch it with its pants down. Don’t underestimate the power of the quick, easy reset.

  Equally important to moving the disc is knowing where the disc is/will be moving to.  This falls under the umbrella of “anticipation,” an offense’s biggest asset.

• Backfield motion. In contrast to cutting in a man D situation, zone O is less about hard fakes and dekes and much more about forcing defenders to make choices until they are overmatched or out of position (typically it’s at these junctures that you “cut” hard in the sense that you’re running quickly to space–analagous to opportunity cuts in man D sets)

  Poppers and wings can rotate positions as the point goes on, forcing the defense to dynamically adjust to cover their respective zones, and can selectively “flood” an area, sending 2 or 3 receivers into a particular area with the knowledge that one defender cannot cover them all, given they’re far enough apart and the thrower can make the pass to that area.

The concept of flooding an area is a basic tenet of zone offense, whether it’s a conventional standard set or a junk D–the defense will either concede an option or shift coverage to take it away, and in either case, you’re creating openings.

It’s essential that you trust your teammates in these situations–if you’re helping to flood an area, trust that your teammates will find the open space you’re creating. Likewise, if you see a teammate moving to flood an area, be on the lookout for the defense to shift their priorities and give you an opening.  Not every opening is viable, so strive to learn what kind of motion in what situations make holes your offense is looking for.

Anticipation is the best weapon an offense can wield against high-level defenses–given that well-practiced teams will be prepared to quickly recognize and fill gaps in coverage, an offense needs to be well-practiced enough to know that, for example, when Sam gets the disc on a reset he’ll look for a quick hammer strike; the poppers are on their toes as soon as they see somebody looking to throw to him, looking for holes. Synergy between poppers makes creating and finding holes more predictable, and synergy between handlers can go a long way to reducing miscues on the reset.

This is true for any offensive set, but whereas this tends to be more structured in man D situations, with set plays and the like, the wide variety of zones out there tends to force players to lean more strongly on experience. I suspect it’s for this very reason that you see today’s O line/D line splits; chemistry must be cultivated. Get a small group constantly practicing together against a myriad of zones, arm them with a basic understanding of the offensive priorities, and you’ll develop a capable offense.

Next post (or two) I’ll try and break zone down a bit more in terms of individual skills. Is there anything else you think needs to be said about zone (offense or defense)? Leave a comment or let me know if you’d like me to write about it (or write about it yourself–I’m happy to make guest posts).

Related posts:

1. Zone: Flow, Starting and Stopping It
2. Zone: Offensive Skills
3. Zone Offense: The Basics
4. Zone O, Huddle-Style
5. Zone Sets: How to Run a "Standard" 3-3-1 (3-1-3, 3-1-2-3)