Small field zone trouble

[Guest]

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[chong]

Hi guys,

Hope you can help with my team's problem.

We are a team of "new" and impatient but hard-work players. We participate in a tournament usually played in smaller fields, about 90m x 25m, and we have a lot of trouble with 3-3-1 cup zone (even a not well played one), because the swing can't get any pass up field and we end up dropping the disc (because we have only one good handler). With seven players on that small space our poppers aren't getting any space (or player) open.

I'm looking for new ideas how to play against this type of zone (3-3-1, cup), shooting for a surprise-element effect

Thanks

[Seppo]

Hey chong,

Welcome to UT!  

Zone can be trouble to play against if you don't have confident and experienced handlers.  Your best bet is to practice, practice and practice your throws.  Small, quick throws work best against a Zone D.

In the meantime, while your throws are improving, have your poppers and even handlers run through and into the cup.  If you can get a very short pass to them while they are in the cup, they can often get off some nice continuation passes upfield through the cup.  Once you do that, the field is usually wide open for some great progression of the disc.

But again, you have to have good handlers with solid throws to really counter a good Zone D.

Good luck!

- Seppo #22

[chong]

But again, you have to have good handlers with solid throws to really counter a good Zone D.

- Seppo #22

That's the thing that annoyed me the most, we've been beaten senseless by bad zones.
I guess I really need to be more patient about it, with a lot of practice

Thanks a lot

[ksharp]

We have to assume that you have 3 reliable handlers, capable of quickly moving the disc around the cup comfortably.  If you don't at least have this, then I am afraid all hope is lost...

Firstly, remember that every time a defender takes something away, they are giving up something in return.  For example, if your marker forces your forehand, he is taking away the backhand at the expense of giving up the forehand throw.  If your defender marks up on your back shoulder, he is taking away the deep strike at the expense of giving up the in-cut.

The same principle is true in a zone situation.  By playing a 3-3-1, the "cup" focuses on preventing upfield passes from the handler, at the expense of leaving the other handlers (usually) wide open.  They want to prevent significant upfield movement, and for you to eventually turn the disc over by dropping a pass or trying some high-risk junky throw (and if you don't have skilled handlers, they will likely get their wish).

Take what the defense gives you.  Be patient, dump-swing constantly, wear down the cup and pick your moments.  The cup will get exhausted chasing the disc back and forth across the field, which opens space up for short gains.  Dump quickly, swing quickly, and follow your passes for little fetches and give-and-go passes.  By the time the cup catches up you've gained some yards.  Repeat as necessary...and I can recall points where it's taken upwards of 60 or 70 passes in a row to get from one end of the field to another...oh, and if the cup is loose or inexperienced, throw some fakes and make them pay for it.  Try breaking the mark from time to time, keep them honest.

Something for the cutters to focus on is properly engaging the mids - keep your feet moving and making cuts and force them to follow you.  Have someone engage the deep defender by acutally going deep...that way he can't help out the mids.  Overload one side so that the defender can't cover both of you: one cut to the disc, one cut away from the disc.  Force the defender to make a choice between one or the other, and take what they give you.  Stretch them out horizontally - if you attack the entire width of the field, they'll have to respond to that.

But above all, have your handlers practice, practice, practice!

[canis216]

Backing up what Seppo said, I'd definitely send players into the cup, expecially handlers. And since you don't have many handlers, don't feel compelled to keep three back. Keep two back, using the extra cutter to try to overload the wings, the mid, or the deep. See if you can draw those downfield defenders out of position. Since your team doesn't have great throws. you are much better off using your cutters to try to quickly overload the zone than you are trying to wear it down with a lot of throws--the zone WANTS you to make a lot of throws; they are counting on you guys making a mistake. In summary: be active, create holes in the defense, strike quickly.