The setup for vertical stack. 1 and 2 are our main handlers. 3 is our stack setter, this person starts the start 5 to 10m away from the disc, the remaining cutters line up 3m away from the person in front of them. All throughout this (but not included here) player 3 will be looking for short break-force passes or a dump pass if needed.
In this tactic, whoever is at the back of the stack will be the next person to cut. The initial cut is always forward and to the open side. The cutter then has two options.
Option 1: Still sprinting the cutter turns and runs across to the break side.
And then rejoins the stack second from the front. Whilst this cut was happening the rest of the players have moved a few paces up the pitch.
Player 6 is now at the back of the stack, so does the same cut forward. This time the player elects to use...
Option 2: A sharp turn to throw off their marker and a sprint to a deep area, this is the only long option will will consider.
If they haven't received the disc the rejoin the stack, but..
.. it is important to rejoin second in the stack from the break side of the pitch. Keeping the open side free. Again the rest of the stack has moved up the pitch to allow this.
Now player 5 is at the back of the stack and cuts forward.
If player 6 (who has just arrived at second in the stack) thinks it is likely that 5 will get the disc then they make a continuation cut upfield.
5 doesn't receive the disc and elects to continue to the front break side of the stack. Because 6 is still in the space 4 doesn't cut yet even though they are now back of the stack. 6 recognises this and turns sharply to come under for the disc.
In this case the pass is still not made, so 6 too cuts to the break side.
Now we will see how this cycles without a pass being made.
4 cuts forward and chooses to take...
...option 1. As soon as 4 comes across the front of the stack 7, who is now at the back, cuts forward.
and takes option two.
As soon as 7 is past the end of the stack, 5 now cuts forward.
And takes option 1.
The next few steps repeat this. It is possible players 1, 2, and 3 will pass the disc between one another to gain more time. In these situations nothing changes, the back of the stack is still cutting first. The stack may just have to move across the pitch slightly to adjust for changes in disc position.
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Now we are back to the start.
This time 7 catches the disc. When a player receives the disc they keep calm. They first look upfield to see whether a throw is on. This only takes a second or two, if there is no cutter they are comfortable throwing two within these two seconds they look back and throw a dump pass to one of the handlers.
The dump pass is played here. The stack then moves upfield as a unit
and player 7 enters the stack from the break side.
This time 5 is at the back of the stack and cuts forward
they receive the disc. Player 7 has anticipated this and tries the continuation cut.
However 5 elects to throw the dump pass and both 7 and 5 make an effort to rejoin the stack.
The stack has now reset.
This time 6 cuts forward and receives the disc.
5 anticpates and cuts upfield, 6 thinks the throw is on and player 5 receives.
The dump pass is then made and the stack moves upfield, 5 then rejoins the stack as usual after a cut to the dump side.
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