¶ Drill 3: Break the Mark
Skills Focussed:
- MARKING: - Marking throwers basic mark with no force (4.1.1.)
- THROWS: - Fakes (1.11), -Throwing with Pivot (1.1.4), - Throwing with Stepping out (1.2.4)
Other skills for which it can be used:
- MARKING THROWERS: - Pressure Thrower (4.1.3), - Call 'up' (4.1.4), - Footblocks (4.1.5), - Strategic Marking skills (4.1.6)
- THROWS: - Low release backhand (1.1.3.1) and forehand (1.2.3.1) (throws over the marker are not allowed)
Concepts to know before doing the drill: Basic Throwing and Catching Technique
Drill Focus:
- How to do basic marking on thrower (staying low, hands wide). Focus should be to teach the basics of it. Not focus on perfecting the marking stance
- Concepts of wrapping, fast count, disc space (all infractions)
- Throwing: Stepping out, Fakes
Set-up:
This drill can be done progressive phases but for all the basic set-up remains same i.e.: - Groups of three: Thrower, Marker, Receiver.
- Two cones 10–12 meters apart.
- Thrower tries to pass to receiver while marker blocks.
- Rotation:- Thrower → Marker → Receiver." "Drill Flow:
- The marker’s objective is to block certain throws, while the thrower uses fakes, pivots, and varied releases to break the mark.
Drill Flow:
Phase 1: - Marker uses basic marking stance to block the thrower who uses the pivot to manoeuvre and throw to receiver.
Phase 2: - Add stall count and all infractions. Here the thrower can also be coached to do fakes.
Phase 3: - Marker keeps hands behind back to rely purely on positioning and footwork. Footblocks are allowed.
Phase 4: - Thrower can add high-low fake
Coaching points:
Phase 1: - Focus on basic marking posture: low stance, shoulder-width feet, hands wide and backward.
-Throwers practice pivoting and stepping out.
- No vertical throws (knives/hammers).
Phase 2:
- Introduce deliberate marking infractions for throwers to identify and call.
Phase 3:
- Markers must move with the entire body, staying balanced (no splits).
- Throwers practice calm pivots and quick shoulder fakes.
Phase 4:
- Ensure the marker is close enough (one disc space) to simulate game pressure.
- Avoid standing too far back, which makes break passes easy.
- Throwers should aim for releases below knee height (ask receivers to give feedback).
- Markers must stay low (from knees, not waist) to block low throws."
Progression: - Triangle break the mark
Source: Page 4 & 5 Ultimate trainers manual