Setup of a traditional 2-3 against 2 poppers.
Traditional set up against handle crashes with no poppers.
Traditional set up against 1 popper and handle crashes.
If Offensive 3 moves back, Defensive 2 does not try to stop him. His priority is to clog up the middle of the field. Despite this being a "force middle" zone, we are still okay with them having the disc on the sideline.
Good offense will try to beat us with handle crashes. Here Offensive 1 should try to throw and go. Defensive 2 (mark) should prioritize stopping the disc advancement before setting a mark. Defensive 6 and 7 (deeps) should bait big throws at this point. Defensive 4 (wing) is watching down the sideline as Offensive 5 moves in. Defensive 5 (wing) helps bait a shorter hammer to Offensive 6 as well as stays in position to attack and egregiously floaty pass to Offensive 2. Defensive 1 (mark) should turn around and prevent a lateral pass to Offensive 2 if he attacks. Defensive 3 (middle) takes out Offensive 4.
Settle in. Note that 6 is the area with the most space. That's fine. Until a team proves that they can, and will, repeatedly beat us with that space we should bait that throw most of all.
If there is a strong wind in general, but particularly a crosswind, we will throw a trap zone. Note how similar this is to a 4-man cup. Assuming the wind is blowing L-R, the goal of this trap is take away everything except for the big swing into the wind or attempt to make a big huck. Deeps should bait that throw excessively until proven that it is lethal.
Set up back in 2-3 zone. Some teams will choose to try and beat this zone with swings and then "flood" a sideline to beat us there.
It is important on the swing to contain the "flood". Note how the two cutters have split the wing. He cannot cover both without giving up something else.
The wing should prioritize the middle defender, while the shallow deep actually needs to assist with the sideline.
Now 6 needs to flash back deep, 4 immediately drops off to sideline, and leaves the middle to the our middle defender who has now recovered. While this is happening, marks sweep out and contain a big throw.
Settle in
Say they swung it to the sideline and then immediately do another big swing. Let's analyze how to stop that. Note that the deep saw the swing go up and he and the shallow have started trading places. The wing is split.
Wing and middle need to pinch the middle defender. He is the hardest to contain because his continuation throws are the most damaging. The wing needs to be able to attack a floaty pass to the wing player while the deep is helping with longer passes to him. The shallow has taken up the deep position and is ready to attack.
This throw is okay. Note that the far cutter is threatening middle of the field and is the most damaging player that could get the disc.
Far side wing needs to shut this down. They have gained yards, but their only immediate throw is back to the handle who the marks are recovering onto.
Settle in.