Pull and run-down. Red1 centers to Red2 in an approx Ho -formation
Red recognizes zone, and wings (Red6, Red7) stretch field. Blue1 marks, calling "Force Backhand." Note that Blue1, the mark, is already shading backfield - or parallel to the sideline. The ShortDeep "extends" the mark by sitting on the righty-inside-backhand. The off-chaser (Blue2) is focused on the open-side dump with the goal of shutting it down OR forcing the reset to be caught backfield of the thrower
Let's focus on the most plausible resets: the handlers + poppers. Chasers, ShortDeep, and Beast work together to limit viable reset space: they can dump straight behind, every other look should be difficult. For the purposes of this demo, offensive and defensive wings + deepdeep will not move.
Blue2 will cover the primary dump (Red3), with the MAIN GOAL OF STOPPING THE SWING. With this goal in mind, Blue2 lets Red3 get the dump right behind the thrower, and is able to contest the next-throw-swing to a filling wing/popper. Watch as they drop back into the swing-lane, prioritizing making the throw to Red5 more difficult
Blue2 repositioned to challenge the swing to popper Red5, which caused the offense to take the easy dump in the space we wanted. Note that Blue1 sloughs-off immediately so that they have a chance at containing the around; Blue2 is working to make the thrower look into the middle of the field, where our defense is set. Either Blue1 or Blue2 can mark now, and they need to COMMUNICATE the direction of the force.
Scenario 1: hold force, Blue1 continues marking. Blue1 closes on the disc and resumes mark, Blue3 maintains spacing to continue "extending" the mark. Blue2 (OffChaser) recognizes handler movement and moves to challenge swing to Red2.
Scenario 2: let's back up to where Red2 just dumped it backfield to Red3 (step 5). Say our chasers COMMUNICATE force forehand, switching it such that the other chaser Blue2 is now the mark.
Blue2 sets mark, fighting to stop the around backhand. Blue4, the beast, is again "extending" the mark, taking away all but the sharpest inside-forehand-break. NOTE: the beast may choose to give a bigger or smaller inside window here - depending on the thrower - to try to bait blockable passes or respect a particularly strong thrower. Please press Play Step Twice
Red1 makes a move: backfield fake, upline cut.
Blue1 works hard to cover the first option, and to stay with Red1 on the change of direction. Once they see the handler continuing upfield, they can try to pass them off to Blue3 or a wing. We are generally okay letting righty throwers try to take this look; that inside forehand to an away target will usually result in an error, and if completed will generally not be in a damaging position.
Red1 has now gone upfield and stranded Red3 with the disc. Chaser Blue1 can now play the throwing lane, allowing mids Blue3 and Blue4 to shift right and play closer on poppers and the other dump. Blue1 can stay in that lane until another reset occurs OR until Red1 or another handler fill backfield.
A key point to remember while chasing in our 2-4-1 is that IF YOU ARE NOT MARKING YOU LIKELY DON'T NEED TO BE VERY CLOSE TO THE DISC.** If you get too close to the disc, the chance of the thrower completing a reset to the open-side handler (think: long swing) increases greatly, AND you will probably double-cover space with the ShortDeep/Beast. Off-chasers, wings, and usually the shortdeep are all trying to TAKE AWAY DIRECT PASSES by positioning disc-side (generally under, and towards the middle of the field) of their current defensive assignment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- **You will at times need to come close to the disc (perhaps the handler you are covering crashes, or otherwise evacuates the viable reset space), but generally your positioning should be further from the disc than that of a chaser in a more traditional cup. -------------------------------------- Thanks for reading!