¶ Drill 45: Shift and Strike Call Procedure
Skills Focussed:
Other Skills for which it can be used:
- THROWS: Dumping the disc (1.8)
- CUTTING: Dump-cut (3.5)
- MARKING NON- THROWER: Person to person handler (4.2.1.1)
Concepts to know before doing the drill:
- Basic Rules of Ultimate
- The Dump Procedure on open and closed side
- Basic Marking Skills
Drill Focus:
- Recognize when to shift and apply pressure on the dump.
- React quickly to a strike call when an open-side cut threatens the score.
- Communicate seamlessly so all defenders act in sync.
Set-up:
The drill can be done in 2 phases:
- Phase 1: Shift Call
- Players: 4 (Thrower, Dump, Marker, Dump Defender)
- Field: Use a sideline zone (simulate being trapped on the line) near the endzone.
- Rotation: Offense → Defense
- Phase 2: Strike Call
- Players 6 (Thrower, Dump, Cutter, and their Defense)
- Same field situation
Drill- Flow:
- Phase 1: – Trap & Shift
- Marker stalls, forcing sideline.
- At stall 5, the marker calls “shift” and moves slightly behind the thrower.
- Dump Defender adjusts, fully shutting down the upfield dump cut.
- Offense tries to reset; defense attempts to block.
- Phase 2:
- The disc is with the middle handler.
- This middle handler (player A) throws the disc to the handler on the open side (pass 1) and immediately runs upfield (run 2) into the endzone.
- His defender sees what is happening and calls out “strike!” This is the signal for the marker (defender B) to shut off the open side.
- When this happens, the runner in the endzone (player C) should realize that the closed side is wide open. He should run forward to get the disc off the line again.
- This drill can be done continuously (without stopping) because, after a single execution, everyone is automatically back in the format they started from. Only players A and C have switched.
- After six executions, the drill is stopped and one of the players switches with player B.
Coaching Points:
- Marker: Times the shift at stall 5–6. Adjusts positioning carefully—too far back opens the inside lane. During a strike, closes open side for exactly one second.
- Dump Defender: Reacts to the shift call by focusing solely on shutting the upfield dump. Must be alert to offensive fakes. Should call strike early, not after the player is already wide open.
- Offense: Uses fakes and timing to challenge both defensive calls.
Progression/Regression:
- Encourage players to apply these calls in match scenarios.
Source: 161, 162, 163, 164 UTM