Cutting help

[Guest]

The ultimate forum for talking about Ultimate Frisbee. Aimed at bringing new life to the world of Ultimate Frisbee discussions, UltiTalk.Com (UT) combines both regional and international topics in one friendly place. So say hello to UT: The International Ultimate Frisbee forum.

[Funkyman]

Im new to the game of ultimate but have been throwing for a few years. I understand and can do mod=st things but when it comes to cutting, I never get the disk. How do I "see" a cut and execute it. I know im supposed to dig my kleets in and make a sharp turn back but since you shoud always be running it is hard to turn around and sprint in a small amount of time. Any help is appreciated.

[Pepper]

First of all: you shouldn't always be running. It is perfectly fine to set yourself up in a good position before you make a cut.

I find that the best way to make a cut is to make sure that when you take off, the direction you go in is a potential place for you to receive the disc. This way, the defender HAS to come with you. If he doesn't, or is too slow, you'll get the disc (if the thrower sees you and can throw the pass).

Then, when you're about to be too close (about 10 meters from the thrower) or too far(about 20 meters from the thrower) for the disc to be thrown, you make your cut. Make sure that the next direction you go in, is also a place where you can receive the disc.

Now, in practice this means your cuts should almost always be vertical. Meaning towards either of the endzones, not towards the sideline. There can be some angle in them, but stay away from running across the field horizontally!

Since you are already handy with a disc, you have an advantage. When you make an in-cut (towards the disc), the defender will come with you if they know you're a thrower. This means you created space for yourself to go deep.

Last thing: a cut is always into space. Never towards other players!

Hope this helps!

[wwwake]

I find that the best way to make a cut is to make sure that when you take off, the direction you go in is a potential place for you to receive the disc. This way, the defender HAS to come with you. If he doesn't, or is too slow, you'll get the disc (if the thrower sees you and can throw the pass).

Then, when you're about to be too close (about 10 meters from the thrower) or too far(about 20 meters from the thrower) for the disc to be thrown, you make your cut. Make sure that the next direction you go in, is also a place where you can receive the disc.

I like how you describe that; cut somewhere first so that your defender that has to follow you and then cut back to where you want to get the disc.  I've often times had decent cuts, but never really known how to make sure they follow me on my first few steps.  Thanks for that tip.

[rrudnic]

One thing I always tell the kids I coach is if you don't see someone cutting and you are at the back of the stack (vert) or middle of the field (ho) then you should already be cutting. One of the biggest things I find with people learning to cut is they try to wait to long for the cut before them. If you wait for the cut before you to clear all the way back to the stack before starting your cut you have wasted a couple seconds which is precious to the guy being marked. As soon as a player makes a cut you should be setting up your cut that way as soon as he starts his clear you can start your actual cut.

[jrc21]

also be aware of where the marker is forcing the person with the disc to throw and the throwers ability. youll probably get looked off if youre cutting into the breakside or vertically far down the field if the thrower isnt confident with their ability.
as mentioned by jmeijers, i also find that creating space between you and your defender to get open works best by moving in one direction and then cutting the opposite way, this forces your defender to respect your initial move which should cause more separation on the cut. resulting you in being "more open".   

[quixrick]

jmeijers Is Exactly Right About Not Having To Cut All Of The Time.  Great Ultimate Players Save Their Cuts For When They Can Make The Most Out Of Them And Then They Don't Cut, They Explode At 100% To Where They Hope To Get The Disc.  Saturday, I Was Covering Someone Who Was Doing Just That And It Made It Nearly Impossible For Me To Keep Him From Getting The Disc.

[Pepper]

Little extra example from last night's match. I played handler and was at the side of the field, disc at the middle handler. I was trying to give him an option, but my defender stepped in (I was cutting backwards so to speak, to the level of the disc).

Then the middle handler pumpfakes me (good call obviously), and goes for a cutter instead. Since my guy is now behind me, I have about 5 meters on him, so I just bust deep. The swing comes, I am at 100% of my speed, level to the disc .... point.

This is also due to my defender not wanting me to get the disc, since I have a good deep threat with my throws. This makes it easier for me to get the defender under me, so I am open on a deep option.

Hope this helps!