¶ Drill 42: Breaking through Cup
Skills Focussed:
Concepts to know before doing the drill:
- Individuals must have done all the zone offense and defense related drill before moving on to this. (it is in a way scrimmage)
Drill Focus:
- Defense: practising setting up different types of zone defense
- Offense: Practising different ways to break through it
Set-up:
- 7 vs 7 full practice
- If 14 players are not there, one can also do this drill in an adjusted form in a group of 8. Now the offense has three handlers and one popper, while the defense has either four cup players or three cup players and a middle defender.
Drill-Flow:
- This drill is about practising playing against a zone defense. If the offense drops the disc, they may simply pick up the disc and play on.
- After 10 to 20 passes, when it’s clear that the offense has figured it out, cut off the drill, switch offense and defense, discuss a new zone defense and start with another pull.
Coaching Points:
- Before executing the drill, provide with different ways in which offense can cut through the cup: Around – If the cup is tight and small (3), use quick passes around it, Through – If the cup spreads out to cover dumps, throw quickly through the gaps to a popper, Over – If the defense adds a fourth cup player, leaving downfield open, use a hammer or high throw over the cup to an open receiver, Inside – If the cup plays far from the thrower, send a handler crashing inside to receive and break through the cup.
- Success depends on analyzing the defense during play. Both players on the field and sideline should identify the type of cup and weak spot (around, through, over, or inside) and communicate it to exploit the zone.