For horizontal offence, there's probably a third handler standing in the space where you would want to throw a swing. The swing pass is less straightforward; you can't lead a receiver to that space because there's already a defender there.
So the situation I'm imagining is like this. The offence is in a generic 3-4 formation, and the disc is with one of the side handlers. The axis or centre handler is positioned to make a dump cut, while the other 3rd handler is futher away, towards the other side.
The axis handler receives a dump pass towards the backfield (as in not an up-the-line pass), and then looks to throw a swing pass towards the other sideline. But the 3rd handler is already there, with a defender.
Here are the possible courses of action I can think of. (post a comment if you know another one).
- Have the 3rd handler move upfield in good time to clear the space for someone else to cut for a swing. (It doesn't have to be someone else that cuts back into that space, it could be that handler if they can get free).
- Depending on how the defender on this 3rd handler is set up, it might be possible to just throw the swing to the non-defender side of them.
- A system whereby the the axis handler gets out of the way, the 3rd handler comes in to take the dump pass, and then looks to throw the swing rather than receiving it.
- Don't bother looking for that sort of swing pass. 3-4 offence isn't so suited to it. Just let the axis handler look upfield for a goal shot.
- Swing to a cutter instead. The 3rd handler keeps out to the sideline as far as possible, to allow space for the throw. This swing won't move the disc across as much of the width of the field, but it probably would gain a few more yards.
I think all of those could be realistic options, and for now, I'm still trying to figure out which is my favourite. Not that it's particularly important which is my favourite. As with everything in ultimate frisbee tactics, it's better for your team to play the same system rather than the right system. Play the system your team plays.
I think it's a fairly standard tactic (when the disc is on a sideline in a 3-4 offence) to have the axis cut up the line and the far handler to cut behind the handler with the disc. If the up-theeline works, that is awesome and handlers reset; if not, the dump is to the handler who has cut behind the disc from the opposite sideline (and who effectively becomes axis when he receives the disc).
ReplyDeleteAt this point, the handler who has received the disc should be the rightmost handler on the pitch. The swing will go either to a cutter coming in or, more often, to the handler who cut up the line, didn't receive the disc and is now sprinting hard to the opposite sideline for the swing, which is thrown into space as a leading pass.
Thanks Dónall. That's the system I had in mind for point 3, you showed it to me before.
ReplyDeleteYou think in beach, right? 3-2 formation beach. And I would think that might change things. With only 2 upfield cutters, the handlers going upfield can be a bigger threat.
Like any system, if its done well it can be very good. Beach or grass.