Need some help for a budding handler...

[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.

[BigJakeFox]

Well, because I HAD been playing primarily with players older, more experienced, and generally more talented throwing-wise than myself, I had done little as a handler.  I was usually designated for mid-field plays relying on quick continuation passing.  HOWEVER, now that I've been playing for longer and my throws have improved dramatically, my summer league team has been using me as a handler for almost every point I play. 

Now, I'm not having many issues with the disc in my hand.  We usually run vertical stacks and are almost always forced to the flick side, providing me with a lot of in-cuts on my forehand side, which allows me to utilize my strongest throw, the low-release flick.  So that's not what I'm having trouble with. 

My issue is when we're running a slowed-down offense and the disc is NOT in my hand.  My mind freezes as to what to do.  If you guys could help me out, that would be AWESOME.  These are the setups we usually use:

-Vertical stack, 2 handlers
-Vertical stack, 3 handlers
-Horizontal stack, 3 handlers

What kind of movements should I be making as a handler without the disc in these 3 setups? 

Thanks a ton, guys!

[canis216]

First, your main movement options, in no particular order:

1) Cut up the line. This involves faking a cut for a dump or swing, then getting your body between your defender and the disc and cutting downfield. Works best when you start from the break side, cutting to the open side.

2) Cut for a swing or dump. Fake the cut up the line (driving your defender downfield), then sharply cut back for a swing or dump. Usually this involves faking the open side, then receiving a short "break" throw.

3) Anticipate the throw to a cutter moving in. Prepare to bust your ass downfield to receive a quick little flip, setting yourself up to get a clean huck off. Works best if you can sucker your defender into covering the dump first. If you don't receive the disc, clear out. Where you clear out depends on what offense you're running.

4) Trade places with a cutter or a 3rd handler who originally set up in the vertical stack. Some particularly fluid horizontal stack offenses will have a handler and a cutter trade places when the cutter catches the disc close to the handler line on an in-cut. Your ho stack may not do this... but it's an option. Similar action can happen in vert stack when the 3rd handler gets the disc cutting in from the stack. One handler can trade places with the one who cut in.

I'm probably missing some viable options. Some teams will free up one handler to cut deep, for example. I think Florida does this a lot with their vert offense.

Alright, now let's move on to WHEN you want to use these options. Where do they fit into your offense?

A) Vert stack, two handlers. The up the line cut (1) is only wise if you have a 3rd handler/trusted cutter coming out of the stack to fill the space vacated by the up the line cut--just in the case the cut fails and you don't get the disc. The swing or dump cut (2) is fundamental, of course. But with only two handlers back, the D is likely to overplay this dump a bit, especially when the stall count gets high. It may be wise to look for the swing early. (3) is especially important in vert, and will be a critical source of good hucks.

B) Vert stack, three handlers. The main difference from two handler vert is that the up the line cut (1) requires less coordination with the stack, since you've got another handler back to fill in the space you've left. Defenses may poach off an open-side handler a bit. If you are on the open side without the disc, I recommend backing up away from the defender. If he's going to poach into that throwing lane, make sure he can't also defend the swing to you.

C) Horizontal stack, three handlers. There's potentially a little less space to work with for (1), but it can be a good way to initiate the flow off of a dead disc, so long as you aren't running into the cutters. If you want to make (1) a part of your offense, make sure the cutters know to give you a moment (and the space) to set it up. And as I mentioned earlier, trading spaces with a cutter (4) after he's caught it coming in, can result in some really nice spacing and flow. Don't get caught with four people in the handler level.

Finally, a general note: Know your fellow handler. If they can't throw a leading flick up the line, your cut there will be worth damned little. If they're uncomfortable holding the disc deep into the count, set up your swing or dump early. If they like to hold it and let downfield cuts develop, keep your defender occupied but stay out of the way. If you're standing break-side and can see the perfect cut for their pet i/o flick coming, set up your defender so you can get a flip pass from the cutter that lets you step into a sweet huck. Know what your offense needs a handler to do, and do it.

As a handler, these are the things I look for. Other handlers will think of different things. What have I missed? Fire away!