Session B3

This session will teach the basic skills of defense – marking and guarding.

The use of these two terms allows participants to distinguish between the skills used and rules considered for defending opponents in possession of the disc versus those who don’t have possession (ie: cutters/receivers).

Preparation: Use cones to set up one field for every eight participants (15m wide, 25m long goal-to-goal, plus 5m long endzones). These fields can also be used as playing areas for activities.

Introduction

  • Introduce yourself if you haven’t been with the group before
  • Remind the group what they learned in the previous session (forehand & throwing to a moving target)
  • Outline any safety considerations for the session

Warm-Up

Angry Waiters

Skills

  • Explain and demonstrate marking
    • Stall counting – start with the word “stalling” then count each second out loud
    • Must be at least one metre away from the thrower
    • Get balanced, lower your centre of gravity
    • Be on the balls of your feet so that you can shuffle quickly
    • Keep your arms out
    • Practice moving left and right, and in and out from the thrower
  • Explain that guarding is when you are defending someone who doesn’t have the disc
  • Have participants in groups of 3 or 4 practising marking a thrower

Activity

Interceptor

Extra Skills (for longer sessions)

  • Explain guarding opponents in defense
    • Each player gets assigned someone to guard before the point starts and prevent them from getting the disc
    • Explain how to position so that you can see both the disc and the opponent you are guarding (don’t have your back to either – stand where you can form a triangle of yourself, the disc and your opponent so you can see both at once)

Extra Activity (for longer sessions)

Defend The Zone

Rules Chat

  • If you catch, and one of your feet, or part of your body is touching the sideline, are you in or out of bounds? (Out)
  • If you aren’t sure where your feet were when you caught, what can you do? (ask the player with the best perspective to make the decision)
  • If you catch the frisbee in bounds, and your momentum takes you out of bounds, what happens? (Come back to the place where you crossed out of bounds, establish your pivot foot, make your throw).
  • What happens in the endzone? (Same rules)
  • What happens if the pull goes out of bounds? Explain the function of a “brick” call.

Play Ultimate!

  • Play with five per side on the field
  • Encourage participants to use the marking skills they have just learned
  • Make an effort to ensure everyone is involved
  • Use the CHANGE IT sheet to make adjustments if needed
CHANGE IT (PDF)

Finish up

  • Ask participants to return all cones and discs
  • Revise what was learned during the session – playing defense
  • Thank them for playing!