In this scenario, Blue has pulled to Red, and has set up a 2-2-1 Zone forcing toward the middle of the field. First, the positions:<br> <br> - Markers (Blue 1 & 2): one marker is responsible for actually establishing the mark on the thrower and stalling, while the other attempts to prevent an easy swing to the next handler on the open side. Who does what is determined by what side of the field the disc is on.<br> <br> - Wings (Blue 3 & 4): the wings are responsible for preventing short downfield passes, *especially* in the middle of the field. They may be called back to help the deep if too many offensive players cut to the endzone.<br> <br> - Deep (Blue 5): Responsible for defending against deep throws to the endzone. Also, since he has the best view of the entire field, he must constantly communicate cutting threats to the wings in front of him.
Marker Play<br> <br> As we've said, the markers try to force the disc to the middle of the field, and whether they actually mark or cover the swing depends on whether the disc is on their side of the field or not. <br> <br> Here, the pull landed on the left side, so Blue 1 starts with a backhand force towards the middle, and Blue 2 covers the swing. However, if Red 1 gets the swing across to Red 2...
...then Blue 2 puts on a forehand force back towards the middle of the field, and Blue 1 attempts to take away the swing option.
It may happen that the offense plays with a dedicated third handler...
...but that doesn't change the markers' responsibilities too much. Whoever is covering the swing (still Blue 1, in this case) should continue to concentrate on taking away the easy swing to the next handler on the open side. The longer throw to the third handler will be more difficult, and might result in a misthrow or a chance for a D.<br> <br> Those are the basics of marking in a 2-2-1! Just remember, if the disc is on your half, you should mark toward the middle; if it's not, you should try to prevent the easy swing to your side.
Wing Play<br> <br> Let's reset the scenario, and talk about wing play. The wings' responsibility is to shut down any potential cutters that the handlers might be looking to throw to downfield, especially in the middle of the field.<br> <br> The open area of the field is between the two arrows: this is where it is easiest for the handlers to throw to. As such, one of the wings must be available to challenge any cut into that space. Don't get pulled out too close to the sidelines to cover one particular cutter; the space in the middle is the most important.<br> <br> Here's a series of cuts and reactions by the wings.
First, Red 3, tries to break in, and is covered by Blue 3.
As Red 3 cycles out and Blue 3 reestablishes a more neutral position, Red 5 tries to cut it, but Blue 4 covers.
Now, let's say that Blue 4 chases Red 5 a bit too far as Red 5 cuts out...
...that leaves Red 4 with a nice space to cut into for an easy gain. This is the main thing the wings are trying to prevent.
Nevertheless, if/when it happens, it's not the end of the world; the defense just moves down and resets in the same positions.<br> <br> That's the main thrust of wing play. Always watch for cuts to that middle space and try to defend them, and don't get drawn too far to the outside. Also, listen for direction from the deep: he should be telling the wings where the cuts are coming from (for example: "Xavier, in on your right!" or "Merit, back on your left!")
Deep Play<br> <br> The deep is responsible for defending any scoring threats toward the endzone, and communicating with the wings. If too many cutters go deep, he will likely have to call one of the wings back for temporary help.
The initial responsibility is fairly simple: if a cutter goes deep, guard them!
However, a smart group of cutters may try to split the deep; in that case, he should call back one of the wings to help until at least one of the cutters tries to go back under.
Here, the Red cutters realize that they are sufficiently guarded, and go back in to try to find another opportunity. The defense resets.
The final responsibility of the deep is to maintain good communication with the wings. The more talk, the better; it's much easier for the wings to react quickly to threats when they have some idea of where the cuts are going; it's usually impossible for them to keep an eye on the disc and on the cutters at the same time.<br> <br> It's also the deep's responsibility to call for the switch to a wall defense if the offense advances too close to the endzone; usually, this will be called once the offense has gotten within 10-15 meters of the endzone. We'll cover that transition as part of the wall defense overview.
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