Tess and TB sat down to watch a close, competitive, and controversial USAU Nationals mixed semi-final, with the aim of keeping a close eye on how both teams start each point.
For the majority of the game, both teams prefer a side stack with an isolated player in the lane to start each point.
Below are a few clips of things that we noticed and liked in the first few points of the game.
Clip 1: Individual recognition of and ISO and effective action to thwart it.
Space Heater #88 Kelly Hyland recognises whist chasing the pull that this is a classic side stack with Spiva out in the lane . She then smartly decides to clog the lane preventing the first pass to the isolated player, forcing the disc to be swung to the sideline, on the same side as the stack. This causes a break down in AMPs structure and no doubt makes the point more difficult that it otherwise could have been.
Space Heater start the point with a spread horizontal stack, and the two far side cutters immediately clear into a side stack. This move leaves half a field worth of space for a player to gain yards on an underneath cut.
AMP are putting on quite a flat force at the start of this point, which limits the number of yards gained on the first pass, pushing the throw wide, and the prevents the continuation.
Clip 2: Space Heater run a sweep play to start a point
Clip 3: AMP react well to a blading pull with a completely necessary backup catcher placed behind
Space Heater put up a nasty blading pull, the AMP handlers recognise and position themselves one behind the other to ensure the disc is fielded well.
As it happens, the pull bounces, is touched and the back up is required to prevent starting the point right on the back line of the endzone.
Linda Morse does a great job here of recognising and being in the right place at the right time saving the point for AMP early on.
AMP get to work eating up yards with a 3 handler weave to half way.
In particular, Linda Morse here does a great move to gain yards by throwing backwards to Spiva before punishing her defender by running in the opposite direction to her opponents momentum.
By employing a principle favoured by hex offence, throwing to the option open in front of you, she is able to move the disc quickly and roast her defender up the line.
Clip 4: AMP run a handler weave to half way
Clip 5: Space Heater side stack with isolated player in the lane
Space Heater start the point with a nice side stack, with one player isolated in the quite deep in the open side. This works well do generate a first pass underneath on the open side.
Additionally you can see how AMP are shading every one in the side stack deep, giving a significant buffer in order to push the cutters towards the disc.