Editing Ultimate frisbee (section)

==Strategy and tactics==
===Offense===
[[File:Ultimate frisbee.jpg|thumb|Player trying to score.]]

Teams can employ many different offensive strategies, each with distinct goals.  Most basic strategies are an attempt to create open space (e.g. lanes) on the field in which the thrower and receiver can complete a pass.  Organized teams assign positions to the players based on their specific strengths.  Designated throwers are called handlers and designated receivers are called cutters.  The amount of autonomy or overlap between these positions depends on the make-up of the team.

Many advanced teams develop variations on the basic offenses to take advantage of the strengths of specific players.  Frequently, these offenses are meant to isolate a few key players in one-on-one situations, allowing them to take advantage of mismatches, while the others play a supporting role.

====Handlers and cutters====
In most settings, there are a few "handlers" which are the players positioned around the disc. Their task is to distribute the disc forward and provide easy receiving options to whoever has the disc. Cutters, are the players positioned downfield, whose job is usually to catch the disc farther afield and progress the disc through the field or score goals by catching the disc in the end zone.

Typically, when the offense is playing against a zone defense the cutters will be assigned positions based on their location on the field, oftentimes referred to as "poppers and rails (or deep deeps)."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-10|title=Ultimate Frisbee Terms|url=https://discdish.org/2021/05/10/ultimate-frisbee-terms/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=DiscDish.org}}</ref> Poppers will typically make cuts within 15 yards of the handler positions while rails alternate between longer movements downfield. Additionally, against a zone there are typically three or four instead of the usual two or three, depending on the team.

====Vertical stack====
[[Image:Ultimate-vertical stack.png|thumb|200px|left|The standard configuration for a vertical stack (offense and force/one-to-one defense)]]

One of the most common offensive strategies is the vertical stack. In this strategy, a number of offensive players line up between the disc and the end zone they are attacking. From this position, players in the stack make cuts (sudden sprints, usually after throwing off the defender by a "fake" move the other way) into the space available, attempting to get open and receive the disc. The stack generally lines up in the middle of the field, thereby opening up two lanes along the sidelines for cuts, although a captain may occasionally call for the stack to line up closer to one sideline, leaving open just one larger cutting lane on the other side. Variations of the vertical stack include the Side Stack, where the stack is moved to a sideline and one player is isolated in the open space, and the Split Stack, where players are split between two stacks, one on either sideline. The Side Stack is most helpful in an end zone play where your players line up on one side of the end zone and the handler calls an "ISO" (isolation) using one of the player's names. This then signals for the rest of the players on your team to clear away from that one person in order for them to receive a pass.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ultimate Terms and Lingo |url=http://ultimatefrisbeehq.com/ultimate-frisbee-terms/ |work=Ultimate Frisbee HQ |access-date=11 February 2016}}</ref>  Another variation is called Cascades, which starts by setting a side stack. Then, the player at the top or bottom of the stack cuts, using the large amount of available space. Once the initial cutter has finished (whether they caught the disc or if they were waved away by the handler), then the next cutter in line continues. In vertical stack offenses, one player usually plays the role of 'dump', offering a reset option which sets up behind the player with the disc.

====Horizontal stack====
Another popular offensive strategy is the horizontal stack, also called “ho-stack”. In the most popular form of this offense, three "handlers" line up across the width of the field with four "cutters" downfield, spaced evenly across the field. This formation encourages cutters to attack any of the space either towards or away from the disc, granting each cutter access to the full width of the field and thereby allowing a degree more creativity than is possible with a vertical stack. If cutters cannot get open, the handlers swing the disc side to side to reset the stall count and in an attempt to get the defense out of position. Usually players will cut towards the disc at an angle and away from the disc straight, creating a 'diamond' or 'peppermill' pattern.<ref>{{cite web |first=Ben |last=Nadeau |url=https://www.coachup.com/resources/ultimate/excelling-in-the-horizontal-stack |title=CoachUp Nation &#124; Excelling In The Horizontal Stack |work=Coachup.com |date=August 1, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vul.ca/content/players/horizontal-offense |title=Horizontal Offense &#124; Vancouver Ultimate League |work=Vul.ca |date=June 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ultiworld.com/2013/08/27/considering-horizontal-stack-sure-right-team/ |title=Considering The Horizontal Stack: Are You Sure It's Right For Your Team? |work=Ultiworld.com |date=August 27, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ultimate Handbook |work=UltimateHandbook.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201163032/http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/strategy_horizontal.html|url-status=dead |url=http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/strategy_horizontal.html  |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>

====Feature, German, or isolation====
A variation on the horizontal stack offense is called a feature, German, or isolation (or "iso" for short). In this offensive strategy three of the cutters line up deeper than usual (this can vary from 5 yards farther downfield to at the endzone) while the remaining cutter lines up closer to the handlers. This closest cutter is known as the "feature", or "German". The idea behind this strategy is that it opens up space for the feature to cut, and at the same time it allows handlers to focus all of their attention on only one cutter. This maximizes the ability for give-and-go strategies between the feature and the handlers. It is also an excellent strategy if one cutter is superior to other cutters, or if they are guarded by someone slower than them. While the main focus is on the handlers and the feature, the remaining three cutters can be used if the feature cannot get open, if there is an open deep look, or for a continuation throw from the feature itself. Typically, however, these three remaining cutters do all they can to get out of the feature's way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playspedia.com/play/view/id/206 |title=Ultimate Frisbee &#124; American Football – The 4-1-2 'German' offense |work=Playspedia.com |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref>
It is usually used near the endzone.

====Hexagon or Mexican====
A newer strategy, credited to Felix Shardlow from the Brighton Ultimate team, is called Hexagon Offence. Players spread out in equilateral triangles, creating a hexagon shape with one player (usually not the thrower) in the middle. They create space for each other dynamically, aiming to keep the disc moving by taking the open pass in any direction. This changes the angles of attack rapidly, and hopes to create and exploit holes in the defense. Hex aims to generate and maintain flow to lead to scoring opportunities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://felixultimate.com/2017/03/13/hexagon-offence-v2-2/ |title=Hexagon Offence |publisher=Felixultimate.com |date=April 14, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref>

===Defense===
[[File:Ultimate frisbee, Tartus 2012-12-05.jpg|thumb|The marker blocking the handler's access to half of the field. [[Tartu]], [[Estonia]].]]

====Pull====
The pull is the first throw of the game and also begins each period of play.  A good, accurate pull is an important part of a defensive strategy. The optimal pull has two features: 1) To start the offense as deep into their own end-zone as possible, giving the offense more distance to cover. 2) To stay in the air as long as possible, giving the defense more time to get set up before the first offensive pass.
A pull is not limited to any certain throw. However, most players use the inside out backhand throw to achieve maximum hang time and distance.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Art and Psychology of the Ultimate Pull|first=Ken| last=Westerfield |url=http://www.ultimaterob.com/2018/07/30/the-art-and-psychology-of-the-ultimate-pull/|work=Ultimate Rob|access-date=July 12, 2018}}</ref>

There is no pivot required for a pull. The offensive team must have at least one foot on the goal line and must not change their position until the disc has left the thrower's hand. The defensive team must stay behind the goal line until the disc is released, or it is considered 'offside'. The defensive team is not allowed to touch the disc until it has been touched by the opposing team or has touched the ground. A pull that is touched midair by the offense, but is not caught, results in a turnover.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-01|title=What is a Pull in Ultimate Frisbee?|url=https://discgolfwarrior.com/what-is-a-pull-in-ultimate-frisbee/|access-date=2020-07-17|website=Disc Golf Warrior|language=en-US}}</ref>

====Force====
One of the most basic defensive principles is the "force" or "mark". The defender marking the thrower essentially tries to force them to throw in a particular direction (to the "force side" or "open side"), whilst making it difficult for them to throw in the opposite direction (the "break side"). Downfield defenders make it hard for the receiving players to get free on the open/force side, knowing throws to the break side are less likely to be accurate. The space is divided in this way because it is very hard for the player marking the disc to stop every throw, and very hard for the downfield defenders to cover every space.

The force is usually decided by the defence before the point, but it can be communicated during play. The most common force is a one-way force, either towards the "home" side (where the team has their bags/kit), or "away". Other forces are "sideline" (force towards the closest sideline), "middle" (force towards the center of the field), "straight up" (the force stands directly in front of the thrower – useful against long throwers), or "sidearm/backhand" if one wishes their opponents to throw a particular throw. Another, more advanced marking technique is called the "triangle mark". This involves shuffling and drop stepping to take away throwing angles in an order that usually goes: 1) take away shown throw "inside" 2) shuffle to take away 1st pivot "around" 3) drop step and shuffle to take away 2nd pivot 4) recover.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rob |first=Ultimate |url=http://www.ultimaterob.com/2011/04/30/the-force-in-ultimate/ |title=Forcing in Ultimate – What Does it Mean? |work=Ultimate Rob |date=April 30, 2011 |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/basics_defence.html |title=Basics |work=UltimateHandbook.com |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201162757/http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/basics_defence.html |archive-date=February 1, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ultiworld.com/2014/12/01/mailbag-mario-playing-time-defense-triangle-marking/ |title=Mailbag with Mario: Playing Time, Defense, and Triangle Marking|work=Ultiworld.com |date=December 2014}}</ref> However, this marking technique is typically used to block long throws as well as force a certain side.

====Match-to-match====
[[Image:Ultimate force-infographic.png|thumb|305px|right|Marking with a force]]
The simplest defensive strategy is the '''match-to-match''' defense (also known as "one-to-one", "person-to-person", "man-on-man", or "man defense"), where each defender guards a specific offensive player, called their "mark". This defense creates one-to-one matchups all over the field – if each defender shuts out their mark, the team will likely earn a turn over. The defensive players will usually choose their mark at the beginning of the point before the pull. Often players will mark the same person throughout the game, giving them an opportunity to pick up on their opponent's strengths and weaknesses as they play.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hordern |first=Tim |url=http://timhordern.com/ultimate-frisbee-defensive-skills/ |title=Ultimate Frisbee Defensive Skills |work=TimHordern.com |date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref>

====Poaching====
Poaching is a term used to describe one or more players temporarily leaving their match up to strategically cover space in an otherwise person-to-person defensive scheme.  Typical areas covered might be deep space (to defend long throws aimed at scoring quickly), near handlers (to narrow throwing lanes, making throws more difficult), or leaving players who are less likely to get the disc to help cover other areas of the field that are more likely to be directly attacked (such as moving closer to the disc when the disc is trapped on one side of the field).<ref>{{cite web |last=Ultimate |first=Flik |url=https://www.flikulti.com/theory/defence/defensive-concepts/poaching/ |title=Poaching |work=flikulti.com |date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=August 21, 2020}}</ref>

A common occurrence of poaching is when a player is accidentally open in a dangerous position. In this situation, it is common for another player to temporarily cover him defensively to avoid a fast score. This is common when the deepest person of the defense sees someone running past him, without a defender catching up to him, and it might be considered obligatory to run and cover the player open deep.

Players may also leave their match to cover throwing lanes, particularly if they are marking a reset or alternative handler.

====Zone====
With a zone defensive strategy, the defenders cover an area rather than a specific person. The area they cover varies depending on the particular zone they are playing, and the position of the disc. Zone defense is frequently used in poor weather conditions, as it can pressure the offense into completing more passes, or the thrower into making bigger or harder throws. Zone defence is also effective at neutralising the deep throw threat from the offense. A zone defense usually has two components – (1) a number of players who stay close to the disc and attempt to contain the offenses' ability to pass and move forward (a "cup" or "wall"), and (2) a number of players spaced out further from the disc, ready to bid on overhead or longer throws.<ref name="ultimatefrisbeehq1">{{cite web |url=http://ultimatefrisbeehq.com/ultimate-frisbee-cup/ |title=The Cup: Defensive zone plays |work=Ultimate Frisbee HQ |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/strategy_zone.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201162747/http://www.ultimatehandbook.com/uh/strategy_zone.html |title=Ultimate Handbook |work=UltimateHandbook.com |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ultiworld.com/2014/05/19/zone-defenses-college-nationals-reference-guide-playing-beating-junks/ |title=Zone Defenses At College Nationals: A Reference Guide to Playing (and Beating) Junks |work=UltiWorld |date=May 19, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref>

=====Cup=====
[[Image:Three-man cup defense in ultimate.jpeg|thumb|300px|right|An offensive player tries to play through a three-person cup defense during an informal game.]]
A variation of a zone defence, the cup is effectively a three person mark. The cup involves three players, arranged in a semi-circular cup-shaped formation, one in the middle and back, the other two on the sides and forward. One of the side players marks the handler with a force, while the other two guard the open side. Therefore, the handler will normally have to throw into the cup, allowing the defenders to more easily make blocks. With a cup, usually the center cup blocks the up-field lane to cutters, while the side cup blocks the cross-field swing pass to other handlers. The center cup usually also has the responsibility to call out which of the two sides should mark the thrower, usually the defender closest to the sideline of the field. The idea of the cup is to force the offense to attempt risky throws through and around the cup that have low rates of completion. The cup (except the marker) must also remember to stay 3 meters or more away from the offensive player with the disc.  The only time a player in the cups can come within 3 meters of the player with the disc is when another offensive player comes within 3 meters of the person with the disc, also known as "crashing the cup".<ref name="ultimatefrisbeehq1" /> When the second offensive player moves further than 3 meters away, the members of the cup (except the marker) must go back to being 3 meters or more away from the player with the disc.

=====Wall=====
The "wall" sometimes referred to as the "1-3-3" involves four players in the close defense. One player is the marker, also called the "rabbit", "chaser" or "puke" because they often have to run quickly between multiple handlers spread out across the field. The other three defenders form a horizontal "wall" or line across the field in front of the handler to stop throws to short in-cuts and prevent forward progress. The players in the second group of this zone defense, called "mids" and "deeps", position themselves further out to stop throws that escape the first line of defence and fly upfield. A variation of the 1-3-3 is to have two markers:  The "rabbit" marks in the middle third and strike side third of the field.  The goal is for the "rabbit" to trap the thrower and collapse a cup around her or him.  If the rabbit is broken for large horizontal yardage, or if the disc reaches the break side third of the field, the break side defender of the front wall marks the throw.  In this variation the force is directed one way. This variation plays to the strength of a superior marking "rabbit".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playspedia.com/play/view/id/706 |title=Ultimate Frisbee &#124; American Football – The Wall |work=Playspedia.com |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playspedia.com/play/view/id/2330 |title=Ultimate Frisbee &#124; American Football – 1-3-3 Zone Defense |work=Playspedia.com |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref>

====Junk and clam====
A junk defense is a defense using elements of both zone and match defenses; the most well-known is the "clam" or "chrome wall". In clam defenses, defenders cover cutting lanes rather than zones of the field or individual players.  It is so named because, when played against a vertical stack, it is often disguised by lining up in a traditional person defense and right before play starts, defenders spread out to their zonal positions, forming the shape of an opening clam. The clam can be used by several players on a team while the rest are running a match defense. Typically, a few defenders play match on the throwers while the cutter defenders play as "flats", taking away in cuts by guarding their respective areas, or as the "deep" or "monster", taking away any deep throws.

This defensive strategy is often referred to as "bait and switch". In this case, when the two players the defenders are covering are standing close to each other in the stack, one defender will move over to cover them deep, and the other will move slightly more towards the thrower. When one of the receivers makes a deep cut, the first defender picks them up, and if one makes an in-cut, the second defender covers them. The defenders communicate and switch their marks if their respective charges change their cuts from in to deep, or vice versa. The clam can also be used by the entire team, with different defenders covering in cuts, deep cuts, break side cuts, and dump cuts.

The term "junk defense" is also often used to refer to zone defenses in general (or to zone defense applied by the defending team momentarily, before switching to a match defense), especially by members of the attacking team before they have determined which exact type of zone defense they are facing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ultipedia.org/wiki/Junk_defense|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307024817/http://www.ultipedia.org/wiki/Junk_defense|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 7, 2007|title=Junk defense - Ultipedia|date=March 7, 2007|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playspedia.com/play/view/id/2848 |title=Ultimate Frisbee &#124; American Football – Clam (5/50) |work=Playspedia.com |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.playspedia.com/play/view/id/298 |title=Ultimate Frisbee &#124; American Football – Clam Zone Defense |work=Playspedia.com |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref>

==== Bracket ====
Bracket defenses are almost exclusively used on vertical stack offences, and incorporate elements of both zone and match defence. In bracket defense, the handlers are covered by match defence, and the only changes are when marking the cutters. Once the stack has set up, one player (the "deep" or "monster") will set up a defence on the back of the stack. Simultaneously, a defensive player (known as the "under") will set up between the front of the stack and the handler with the disc. The rest of the defence will set up a match defence on the players in the stack. When play begins, any cutters who try to go for a long throw will be covered by the "deep", and any cutters who try to go towards the handler will be covered by the "under". This defence attempts to force the offence into 1-on-1 situations with the strongest defensive players.

====Hasami====
Hasami, the Japanese word for "scissors", is a popular hybrid person/zone defence used by the Japanese women's team who won gold at WUGC 2012.  The name refers to the method of using two pairs of defenders to cut the area downfield into sections, with defenders responsible for space "under" (nearer the disc) and "away" (towards the end zone), and also the left and right areas of the field.  Defenders rely on visual and verbal communication to switch and cover the offensive threats between them.  Hasami forms the basis of most Japanese style zone defences.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flikulti.com/theory/defence/defensive-concepts/zones/hybrid-zones/hasami/ |title=Hasami – |work=flikulti.com |access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref>

====Hexagon or flexagon====
A combinatory type of defense is hexagon or "flexagon", which incorporates elements of both match-to-match and zonal defense. All defenders are encouraged to communicate, to sandwich their opponents and switch marks wherever appropriate, and to ensure no opposing player is left unmarked.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://felixultimate.com/2016/04/05/flexagon-defence/ |title=Flexagon Defence – |work=FelixUltimate.com |access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref>