I think right now it is fundamental to understand the theory and concepts of our horizontal stack. Start to think about this offense on a theoretical level; it will give you a better sense of where you should be and what's the "right" thing to be doing in the offense.
We have three handlers and four cutters. Simple format. We are looking to spread the field (using the whole field) horizontally across about 15-20 yards away from the handlers. The ideas is that we are creating space between the handlers and the cutters and the whole field behind us. Contrast this with the space being created in a vertical stack and that will help you conceptualize this offense. The set up of the horizontal stack is to give the cutters more room to be active and use the entire field. Emphasis on ENTIRE...
Cutters should NOT be jamming themselves on the open side and taking turns trying to cut on that side. All four cutters should be evenly spread out, using all the field given to them to be effective. If a cutter gets the disc, the other three need to be aware and fill the open space upfield. They need to shift over, fill the open side lane, and work there (not leaving the break side empty though, because that can provide for useful and effective cuts too). The other cutter can throw up field or dump the disc and then he should get to the break side to occupy the vacancy created. As cutters you need to be aware of where everyone else is and be sure that you are not bunching together and clogging the open side. Work together and when one cut fails on the open side, bust to the break side and open up some space for another cutter. He can come over and fill that spot.
Use the entire field for real cuts. Do not stand around idly and then decide that you need to jog towards the handlers for an under cut. As cutters you should be bringing your man deep, then coming under. You should be using quick misdirection to get open. Use what the defender is giving you for your cut. Always be aware of what other cutters are doing and base your next cut off of that. If you know someone is going to get the disc under on the open side, already be making your cut. Go deep and then another cutter can come under. Work like that and give multiple options to the player with the disc.
Also, if you see no one cutting under and your man is playing off you, don't be afraid to come across on a horizontal cut (think the 1 cut from the drill). Make sure that you are not cutting off someone else in the process though. Be aware!
Handlers think with similar mentality. Always spread yourself across the field and don't be afraid to switch your positioning with other handlers after a throw or if you notice it is getting too clogged. This offense is never static (for either cutters or handlers). You can come around to the far side and make room for a more effective dump cut by a handler in position. Give yourself enough space so that when you cut for a dump you can work that big swing we have been going over in practice. If your dump/swing doesn't work, make sure to get out of that spot for the other handler. He needs to be ready to fill and make a dump cut as well.
Do not let the disc be stationary for long. This offense needs movement. Lots of it. Quickly.
Those are some of the basics I want everyone to focus on right now. There are many more in depth concepts that we'll get into as the semester goes on. But start to visualize the offense and make sense of it. Think about the things I said and try to put that into context of using the offense on the field. That always helps me.
Hit me up with any questions if something was unclear.
"MU!"
"Who's that?!"
The Boogiemen
3 comments:
the whole mu-who's that thing is lame, espcially since it is a form of call and response. also, we are already known in our section as being a quality team. if it is only used at tournaments that arent in our section, like huck of the irish and the one in missouri, using examples from last year, then it kinda makes sense, but still lame.
otherwise, excellent description of the slut-stack.
First off, what's your issue with call response? I find it really pumps up the team that is doing it and demoralizes the other team.
Second, look at where we are going for tournaments this fall: Ann Arbor, Nashville, Knoxville, Naperville. Are any of those in our section?
This cheer is merely an experiment to see if we can have a variety to yell after we score. I like the "MMM-III-AAA-M-I MIAMI," but we need something else. The MU-Who's that got a positive response from most people I talked to. If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them, because we are looking to get new/creative cheers for this year.
Thanks for the feedback. Could you sign your name next time so I know who I'm talking to?
while i agree with mr. anon y. mous on the fact that that particular cheer could be better, i admit i dont have any suggestions. maybe in time.
call and response isnt necessarily bad, but often used uncreatively (eg- jaw-bone, or for us boogie-men).
but who says we need something after a score? i am of the school of thought that scores should be expected, and celebrated in times of extremes, like at regionals for us last year. look at baseball, do teams run out onto the field every time they score a run, or hit a home run? no, it's seen as a result of the nature of the game. however, if it's a GAMEWINNING hit or home run, then its time for extraordinary celebration. but to this, i agree to disagree with those of the other school.
one can make the argument that it pumps up the team, but that depends on the make up of the team/individual. one could also make the argument that call-response pumps up the other team, like us using oberlin saying that we suck as motivation. personally, whatever we cheer doesnt have an effect on how i play. seeing people bid through their man, getting handblocks and hot z gets me motivated from the sidelines b/c it makes me want to get out there and continue hot play.
yelling at the sidelines to get excited after a score assumes that they arent excited. there are more ways to be excited than congratulating each other after doing what they are supposed to do, ie score.
different players have different ways of performing at their best. some like extreme focus, while others like to keep things loose, light-hearted. a person's demeanor doesnt matter, but rather their production. if someone is constantly pumped up but drops every disc, whats the point? on the line i crack jokes, but during the point i am completely focused on the task at hand.
for example, cubs 1st baseman derrick lee never displays emotion but he is one of the best 1st basemen in baseball. compare that to carl everett (who denies the existence of dinosaurs), he was a firework waiting to explode. while talented, he was never considered an elite outfielder due to his mediocre levels of production.
but thats me and how i work. toes
one last note, annoymous critique is the best kind of critique b/c it frees the critiquer from fear of retribution, however minute it could be, and gives the person being critiqued a pure evaluation, but at the same time closes the avenue for discussion. catch 22 - keasbey nights, listen to it.
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