Concept
We want the offence to visibly organise itself around space.
The middle is not required to be empty, but it must never be free for defenders to poach. Spacing should clearly communicate:
- Who is active
- Where the next cut is coming from
- Which defender is being stressed
Danger zones exist to remind players that space quality matters, not just space itself.
Clearing the middle and high value spaces is primarily the job of the off disc players.
Reason
Most offensive breakdowns at this level come from passive congestion, not bad throws.
Clearing the middle:
- Simplifies reads for handlers
- Forces defenders to make binary decisions
- Creates predictable, repeatable attacking windows
If the middle is cluttered:
- Timing becomes unclear
- Poaches become free
- Offense stalls into low-percentage throws
Coaching Cues
- “Finish and clear.”
- “Make the poach cost.”