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| Columns & Departments:
Offense |
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It’s been mentioned that possession is the key to
winning a game. You can’t score if you don’t have
the disc, and to keep the disc you need to know how to dump
the disc. More apt names for the dump are the outlet, reset,
or back up. The count is reset when the pass is completed,
but teams often use a reset call to signify they want the
disc moved to a certain place in the field to reset their
offensive play. Back up and dump usually signify going back
down field, but this is not necessarily where the pass is
going. An outlet is what is wanted, and so that is what we
will call it.
Effective positioning and communication will increase
your outlet completions.
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Team Communication
Some team rules need to be established to consistently complete
outlet passes.
The first necessity is establishing when to outlet. Many teams
establish a rule that if the disc isn’t thrown by a particular
stall count, usually stall 5 or 6, the thrower must turn to
outlet. This gives the primary up field cutters enough time
to attempt to get open, while still leaving time to set up a
completion to your outlet receiver if the primary cut is stifled.
The other part of this rule which makes it effective is that
once a player has turned to their outlet at the pre-determined
stall count, they can no longer turn to any other cutter. Once
they’ve committed to the outlet, that player becomes their
only receiver. There is a risk, of course, that the outlet won’t
get open and you’ll have a down on stalls or need to huck
at stall 9.5, but the person receiving the outlet should be
someone wily and experienced enough to make the pass viable,
i.e. get open.
The second rule is what to do when eye contact is made between
the outlet receiver and the thrower. There are two basic options:
cut to the open area for the thrower to throw to you, or stand
there and let the thrower put the disc to an open space, often
called a ‘German’. A code needs to be established
amongst your team members, a way for the thrower and receiver
on an outlet to communicate which option you will be using.
It can be a verbal code or it can be a body signal, but the
whole team needs to know it and adhere to it.
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Positioning
Ultimate is a reactionary game. You need to be constantly
thinking of what your opponents are doing. The team
that reacts to their opponents the best will be more
successful.
Receiving an outlet pass will depend entirely on how
the defense is positioned. The basic of what you need
to do is create an open area, or ‘green space’
that the thrower can throw a disc to, and position yourself
so you can get to that space to receive the pass before
your defender does. Again, how you accomplish this that
will depend on your defense. Here are three game situations
that you’ll probably find yourself in.
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In this standard defensive positioning, with your defender watching both you and the disc, move towards your defender to create space on your right. When the thrower turns and makes eye contact, fake in towards the defender and cut to the large open side you’ve created. |
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Tips to Improve your Outlet Pass
Square to the Outlet
Often players make the mistake of not turning to the dump completely, but just putting up a swilly pass while looking over their shoulder. When the time comes to outlet, turn completely to face the outlet so whatever throw you do put up will be clean and crisp.
Thrower Fakes
When turning to your outlet, you need to be ready to throw as soon as your receiver is ready. Avoid making too many fakes to move your mark around until you know where your throw is going. You will be working on a short 4 or 5 second count, and most likely will only get one good chance to get the disc off.
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In this standard defensive positioning, with your defender watching both you and the disc, move towards your defender to create space on your right. When the thrower turns and makes eye contact, fake in towards the defender and cut to the large open side you’ve created. |
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The German
The ‘German’ is a thrower led pass, and is
particularly effective for a dump. Often your defender
will not be looking at the thrower, but rather facing
you. If this is occurring, position yourself so there
is an open side the thrower can easily put a disc to,
and stand there. When the thrower turns to outlet, use
a previously agreed upon signal, and wait. The thrower
will put the disc up to the open space where you can easily
get to it, and you simply take a couple steps to it when
it comes near. The defender will not know where the disc
is, as they are facing you, and by the time they’ve
realized where the disc is you will already have caught
it. (For more info on the ‘German’ read CP
Fall ’01) |
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Receiver Fakes
There is no point in many fakes when the thrower isn’t
ready to put the disc. Move to the position you have
decided will give the thrower the best option, and stand
there. Lull your defender by not moving at all. When
the thrower turns to you, don’t outwardly indicate to
your defender that the thrower is looking for you. Make
eye contact with the thrower and follow your agreed
upon outlet play.
— Ed
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If the disc is side trapped, you should position
yourself behind the thrower’s mark. This
gives you two different open spaces to cut to.
If the defender poaches one way, which they will
need to do to see the disc, cut the other when
the thrower turns to you.
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