Defend Smarter, Not Harder
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Loading ...In the kuru game at Tajima I was covering a pretty energetic cutter at one point; primary cutter, he cut in after a few stutter steps. Being right with him (didn’t bite on the stutter), and given that I was forcing him under and could see the thrower, I was in a position to
- Make a play on a throw to him and
- See that there was, in fact, no chance he was going to be thrown to…the thrower had already turned to look dump.
While he hauled ass on his under cut, I cruised, well under control. He followed this cut with a clear to the break side–again, the thrower was not looking here (I believe there was a dump to the open side in fact)–no need to respect the cut. Again he hauled, while I cruised.
Two lessons here.
For defenders, knowing the offense and how it flows (or just recognizing situations–remember, anticipate!) will make you more efficient (and open opportunities to poach).
For cutters, recognize what spaces are threats–and when! Getting open is worthless if you’re not a threat to get the disc–it’s just a glorified clear at best, and at worst you’re wasting your energy. The best cutters not only beat their defenders, they do so at points when they can do real damage.
I agree whole heartily with what you are saying but I think there is value to getting open for what will be a easy throw once the NEXT person receives it. Sometimes when the disc is on the trapped side I will follow a deep cut with a cut all the way down the breakside knowing that my defender will not follow me and see this as an opportunity to poach. I trust that the thrower will see this poach and break around for the swing. When that throw goes off, the middle handler who just received the disc with have an easy throw to me and I will have a unmarked throw.
Stephen,
Totally agreed; the example you cite is one of my favorite (secondary) cuts.