Our base setup for the Horizontal Offense. Three handlers back, with the force-side handler (H3) recessed in order to pull their defender out of the open throwing lane. The four cutters are 15 to 20 yards upfield, spaced out across the field.
The basic cutting idea is that the cutters pair up, and work together. The most simple example is there is a left and right pair.
In this scenario, one cutter from each pair goes in (C2 and C4) and the other cutter goes deep (C1 and C3). There is an open and break option, and continue cuts for C2 and C4 to throw to.
With this system, the cutters must take care not to intersect with each other. It is very easy for C2 and C4 to run into each other if one cuts to the wrong space. C1 and C3 can also create too much traffic on deep options.
Let's reset!
Another common strategy (and the one we will use) is to have an ACTIVE pair. The ACTIVE pair are the two cutters in front of the disc, and they are responsible for the initial looks for the handler. The other two cutters are responsible for follow-up cuts and bailout throws. They also replace the active cutters, as the active cutters shouldn't be active all the time :)
We will use the terminology HOT for the ACTIVE cutters, and COLD for the other two. In this setup, C2 and C3 are HOT (primary options for handler) and C1 and C4 are COLD.
The HOT cutters initiate. One cutter starts (the HOT cutters pick on the line or while running to the stack). The other HOT cutter plays off the hot.
C2 has the disc. Now they have several options. They can look for C3, the other hot. They also can check for C1 and C4, who are EXCELLENT candidates for a deep cut.
Reset again. What happens if the HOT cutters don't get the disc?
Darn, no throw!
HOT cutters switch out with the COLD cutters!!