Objects in motion tend to stay in motion. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest.
-Sir Isaac Newton
When the disc is at rest, the defense is able to hold the advantage over the offense. When the disc is in motion, the defense cannot hold the advantage over the offense.
The reasoning behind this principle is simple. Field defense is a game of angles. When field defenders have a steady vertex (IE the thrower) from which to calculate their angles on the receivers, it is possible for them to wrest the advantage from the offense for short periods of time. Conversely, when field defenders cannot find the vertex (IE the thrower) because the disc is constantly being shifted to different points on the field, then they cannot calculate proper angles on the receivers and are left to guess. This leads to confusion as people rarely guess the same and eventually results in a full defensive breakdown.
(Note: I am NOT saying that when the disc is at rest, the defense DOES hold the advantage over the offense. I'm only stating that it is possible for the defense to hold the advantage only when the disc is at rest.)
How the defense is able to hold the advantage will be discussed in greater depth in future posts. For now, I'll say that it has to do with communication, positional awareness, switching, and anticipation.
What I'm going to talk about in this post is what the defense can do to make sure the disc stays at rest for longer periods of time. I'm referring a flat mark (aka straight up force) with a very active marker. Flat means that the marker faces up to the thrower squarely in front of him (similar to fundamental basketball defense). Active means that the marker moves his feet in order to change both the closeness of his mark and his position from side to side as he mirror the thrower's pivots. Active also means that the defender is moving his arms to force the thrower to constantly reassess what throws are available to him at a given time.
Maybe you wouldn't have a giant red question mark floating near your head if you would adopt a proper defensive stance.
The flat active mark provides a possible defensive advantage for two main reasons.
1. Due to the flatness, there is no free throw to either the forehand or backhand side. This causes the thrower to have to work harder in order to gain yardage. This harder work for yardage means the thrower must spend more time with the disc in his hands. This additional time with a stationary disc means the field defenders can zero in on the precise angles of their receivers.
2. Due to the activeness, the thrower is made to feel uncomfortable and pressured. The discomfort and pressure felt by a thrower will often cause him to throw poorly due to panicked throwing mechanics rather than smooth throwing mechanics. These panic throws have a much higher turnover percentage than a standard throw.
Additionally, experience shows that discomfort and pressure lead to an elevated heart rate, which in turn leads to poor decision making. Once again, throws made as a result of a poor decision have a much higher turnover percentage than throws made as a result of a typical decision.
So, why doesn't everybody play with a flat active mark?
In short, it's really hard. Getting into a proper defensive stance, moving your feet, anticipating throws with your hands, and changing the depth of your mark, all take a great deal of energy, commitment, and focus. It is much easier to halfheartedly "hold the force" and pray somebody else makes a play or that the offense commits an unforced error. Additionally, if your field defenders aren't willing to put in a similar effort to the one you're making on the mark, then all of your hard work is wasted.
What does the flat active mark cost (aka what do we lose by playing this way)?
1. The force. I think that I've shown in previous posts why this isn't a big deal, but it would be disingenuous for me to ignore it. A throw is equally likely to come from either forehand or backhand.
2. Energy. This mark does not work when the marker goes halfway. A tired team cannot play this style of defense.
3. Downtime. This is related to #2 above, but should be highlighted on its own. The flat active mark only works when all field defenders are on their game working as hard as the marker. The intensity of the mental commitment to this style of defense cannot be overemphasized. It is hard. Really hard.
Is it worth it?
Yes. Defense like this destroys opposing teams physically because they have to work for every throw. Of greater importance, however, is the damage that this defense does to opposing teams mentally. The constant pressure of intense defense causes most players to melt. They either quit trying to win or start fighting with one another.
this would be great for contending against in cuts, what if you have a team that loves to score long, and has trained their throwers to throw long specifically against a flat mark?
ReplyDeleteLejun,
ReplyDeleteI look at it like this: any team that loves to score long and has trained their throwers to throw long specifically against a flat mark has throwers that will absolutely demolish a forehand or backhand force.
To me, the issue is what marking strategy slows down the offense best. So far in my thinking, the flat active mark seems best suited to achieving this goal.
Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree entirely with the first premise about advantage and motion. I never considered that the flat mark, on the team level, would have enforced that principle.
I know when I mark someone, I have a nice advantage, I'm generally taller than them (6'3), and I make a much better door than window. I generally mark handlers and try to stick to the same one, so I get a feel for them. I'll start with an active force. About halfway through the game I will be truly flat on them - but by then, no one is making break cuts, because they didn't in the first half because I was forcing.