Zone set-up. 1: The "mark." Generally forcing parallel to the sideline. Take a step back for good throwers, get really close and pressure weaker throwers. 2: The "wall." Follow the disc, allow no easy, flat, upfield passes. 3. "Side Cup." Sets up like the wall, and helps stop easy upfield passes, but can also poach in a lot. More info to follow. 4: Breakside mid. Do the usual mid stuff to watch for over-the-tops and continuation passes if the mark gets broken, but is also responsible for the IO break. 5. "Mid." Plays defense on everything around him/her. Supports when 3, 4, and 6 shift. 6. Open side mid. Stop big gainers and continuation passes on that side. We want them to catch the disc on that sideline, so this is more of a "contain" position. 7. Deep. Sprint and eat up any passes that are floaty. Must win any and all jump balls.
Shift 1: If an offensive player tries to slash through the cup, it's the side cup's job to bite on it. 3 Tries to block this path and create chaos around the handler. The mid shifts to support this.
Sometimes, it's okay for 3 to stay on this cutter a little longer - read the play and make a decision. The openside mid can also help support this, if cutters are starting to aim for that side.
Back to the start...
It's also the sidecup's job to crash with any player coming into the cup. Sideline support is EXTREMELY important for this position.
Again, the shifts by the cup are supported by the mids.
Back to the start..
The breakside mid is responsible for the inside break. The cup will have a space between the mark and the wall. This is covered by the mid.
The sideline will be constantly talking to the breakside mid, letting them know of any threats around them, including strike cuts, in-cuts, and people just trying to find space.
Covering different options..
If an offense is really looking for this, or if the wind has picked up (so we're less worried about over-the-top throws), the zone may even look like a 4-2-1 sometimes.
When the breakside mid starts cheating in, the mid-mid or deep adjusts, just enough to make the window a little smaller. We WANT them to try crazy high release throws into the sideline.
IF they do get a break off..
Contain first by running backfield..
And reset the zone
If they get it to a sideline, we will attempt to trap. Yes, we will trap on both sidelines, even if we aren't forcing that way.
Trap set-up: the mark forces into the sideline, prioritizing stopping the around break. The side and wall talk to each other. One takes the closest handler and the other takes the inside throw away, helping the mark force into the sideline. The closest mid takes away the sideline, and the mid-mid guards any players that try to find space near the thrower. If a player tries to come into the cup, follow them to create chaos around the thrower.
Make sure you're guarding an option, not just taking the space that you're assigned.
If they break the trap (or get an open-side pass)
Same thing as before. Contain first...
Taking away the biggest threats first...
And set up the zone again.
Open side trap is the same thing..
Hopefully they need to try a throw like this.