ON DEFENSE
BY MATT MACKEY
SO I’VE BEEN thinking about this a lot lately. As a defensive player
as much, since turnover rate is naturally
this year, I spent a ton of time on the other side of the disc, trying to
higher. In this sort of situation, giving up
deny my quarry all that he desired.
the easy breakside throw or getting too far
Mostly I’ve been thinking about what makes for good defense. As an
out of position trying to make a great play
has a higher degree of risk vs. reward as a
individual player, what can I do, how can I play to best ensure the D
defender. Turns are easier to come by, so
line generates a turn?
why risk letting the other team score and
put the ball in your court when you can
The answer I came up with? Well, it running hard and laying it all out. force them to keep playing perfect to do
depends. I’ve come to realize I’m much more the same thing?
The way I see it, there are two primary of a smart defender than an emotional In other conditions though—high level
ways to play defense: smart defense and defender. I think, for much of the season, play, in non-windy conditions, say—the
emotional defense. I’ll qualify this first by I’d been really lacking in good, emotional utility of smart defense is lessened,
saying the two are not mutally exclusive, defense, conceding too much in one way and getting that one key D can be
and second by saying that this is a very or another in an effort to dictate and keep potentially game-changing. The turnover
general classification. from being beaten at what I chose to take environment is lower—a team runs a
Smart defense means, more often than away. Not as effective as I could have smooth offense that doesn’t shoot itself
not, playing to contain. A smart defender been. in the foot and doesn’t take exceptionally
anticipates what his mark wants and I started incorporating more emotional large risks (ie hucks for completions, not
makes it difficult, if not taking it away defense into my game, fighting harder to for skies)—so rather than simply do one’s
entirely. A smart defender realizes the get a D on whatever my man was trying to job and only delay the inevitable, it might
various situations he is in—is my man a get, and my defense improved accordingly. be more valuable to be the guy who lays
viable threat to go deep given current Still very much disposed towards smart out for every close disc (not that there
position/situation? am I sure laying out defense, but in position to make plays would be many), hoping to generate a turn
for a 50% chance of a D is worth giving more often. This is pretty much where I’m where there normally wouldn’t be one.
up the force for 2 seconds if I miss, or is at right now. Of course, if a team has a good strategy
it more practical to set a hard mark right Most of what I’ve been thinking about to force an offense to take risks, or
away and prevent flow?—and responds is, simply, would I be a better defender if can otherwise increase the turnover
accordingly, limiting the threat of his man. I become a more aggressive, emotional environment through a team strategy
Ideally, a smart defender all but neutralizes defender? Would the extra D’s I might where everyone doing their job is
the impact of the player he’s guarding on generate from those close bids and the essential, then smart defense would again
the field. occasoinal burn from overcommitting to be more beneficial. This would almost be
Emotional defense means busting a cut outweigh the “team D” effect from ideal, in my book. Force the other team
ass and trying to make every play. An simply doing my job and holding the force to be perfect, knowing (or hoping) that
emotional defender always lays out for and keeping my man in check? It’s hard to they aren’t, rather than relying on the (at
those close discs on in cuts, throws an say. a level where teams are evenly matched,
aggressive mark, trying to force a turn. An I feel like there’s a place for both styles athletically) low chance of forcing a D.
emotional defender’s primary objective is of play, though. In some conditions, for There is a middle ground, but finding
to generate turns—whether this is through example—windy conditions comes to the balance can be hard. I would think a
baiting opportunities, or just through mind—there’s no need to “force” the D defense that alternates between smart and
22 Ultimate Canada Magazine — www.canadianultimate.com
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