Overview

The Away & Under drill focuses on disciplined downfield spacing, teaching cutters to threaten deep first, then come under on a controlled diagonal line when the deep option is not available.
It reinforces throw placement, communication, and continuation flow without collapsing the middle of the field.

Aims

Targeted Core Skills

• Vertical Cuts
• Throwing to space along the sideline
• Reading continuation options
• Catching while moving laterally
• Clearing discipline

Setup

• Standard 4-Lines setup:
  • 2 central cutting lines
  • 2 wide throwing lines (10–15m from cutters)
• One disc starts with a thrower
• The next thrower applies a force toward the sideline

Execution

1. The cutter initiates by cutting away downfield.
2. If the deep shot is:
   • Not called
   • Or clearly not available
     the cutter turns and comes diagonally under.
3. The throw:
   • Is made straight downfield
   • Should not be thrown infield toward the centre
   • Should be:
     • Flat, or
     • Slightly roll-curved so it moves away from the sideline
4. The cutter:
   • Intercepts the throw in stride
   • Continues off the pitch
   • Joins the back of the throwing stack
5. Players rotate according to the standard rotation.

Rotation:

Force → Throw → Opposite Cutting Stack → Throwing Stack you received the disc from

This rotation applies unless explicitly modified by a development.

Emphasis / Coaching Focus

Common Mistakes

Developments

Development 1 – Give & Go Under

Objective: Reinforce give-and-go instincts without collapsing space.

• After catching the under:
  • Receiver looks immediately to return the disc to the original thrower
  • Return throw is at a slightly inside angle
• Receiver then:
  • Takes off downfield again
  • Receives a leading continuation pass
• Original Thrower:
  • Moves in field as soon as they have thrown it
  • Cutback upline if original cut is covered.

Coaching Emphasis:

• First look is the give-back
• Stay connected with original thrower
• Quick feet after the offload
• Get the disc off the sideline. (option 3 is a last resort to get us moving forwards again.)

Development 2 – Paired Defence

Objective: Add realism and improve speed variation.

• Add:
  • A defender on the cutter
  • A defender applying the force
• Defender on the cutter:
  • Starts close enough to matter
  • Encourages sharper direction change and cut commitment

Notes:

• Can be layered onto Development 1
• Defence focuses on positioning, not blocks
  • Be realistic, don't play the drill.

Development 3 – Deep Option Live

Objective: Train live reading and communication.

• The thrower may:
  • Throw the deep if they choose
• The cutter must:
  • Read whether they have gone too far
  • Adjust speed or angle accordingly
• Thrower must:
  • Be clear with signals and language
  • Commit early to the chosen option

Coaching Emphasis:

• Clear communication beats late correction
• Deep is an option, not an obligation
• Both players are responsible for the outcome

Defensive Variations (Optional)

• Defender shades the away cut
• Forces cleaner diagonal under angles
• Emphasis on recovery positioning, not bids

Progressions / Regressions

Regression:

• No deep option
• Shorter distances
• Passive defence

Progression:

• Add stall counts
• Restrict throw types
• Increase spacing demands

Coaching Notes

Related Drills

• 4 Lines - Upline Cut
• 4 Lines - Strike Cut