Tiger Balm Film Room: New York Vertical Stack

[@bradellis1470]

Love this so much

[@TrevorSquires]

Big ultimate fan. Question: this offense seems extremely easy to identify and predict. Just from the stack formation, as you said, it's easy to call out the two guys that are most likely to receive the disc. Why do defenses not adjust to a zone when they see this stack? Instead of guarding the 3 players in the middle of the stack, it looks easier to have 2-3 players in zone rather than letting them have iso looks. Is it just too hard to be that well-coordinated, or would offenses be too quick at adjusting for it to be worth it? I'm not suggesting completely switch to zone because I know how that goes, just maybe an adjustable defense to handle some of the more common stack looks.

[@realdanielcohen]

So a zone would absolutely stop the vertical stack, but then yes like you said, offenses will be too quick at adjusting - they'll just switch to zone offense. So it's really whatever type of defense the D feels more confident in. If defenses are confident matching up one-on-one, confident their athletes can keep up with the offense, then usually you'll see them sticking to person defense. Or if they're playing a team that has the throwers to tear right through a zone. Honestly though when you're playing the Empire, it's basically a pick your poison situation. Some teams will throw some poach looks when facing a vertical stack, where guys are bracketing the stack in the front and back, trying to take away those first few cuts. That can usually work initially and can stop pull plays, but often will break down to normal person defense after a few throws.

[@Gameboob]

Hive ultimate (KZbin channel) has some videos on how to play non-man defense against a vert stack without being your traditional zone. He calls it "surrounding" the stack, which is exactly what it sounds like. I think it's a better way to defend a vert stack but it's not what you typically see for one reason or another. It does take a lot more coordination between defensive players for one.

[@Falllll]

Nice breakdown

[@BenjaminFriis-qt8dx]

i thought so too lol

[@MyMapTV]

amazing video, thanks for the explanation

[@MatchaMoji]

Well played

[@BenjaminFriis-qt8dx]

thanks so much - this helped our sport class learn U L T I M A T E , much love from Darwin - Australia 🇦🇺 sheeeeeeeeee #ongang

[@BenjaminFriis-qt8dx]

same lol

[@tarek2901412]

1.0 ultimate