Overview

Read and React – 3v2 gives the offence a numbers advantage and asks them to find it through reading and communication — not through pre-planned movements.

The point of the drill is not to win by superior numbers. It is to develop the habit of scanning the whole picture before acting: finding who is free, communicating what you see, and making the simplest play rather than the most dramatic one.

Aims

• Train offensive players to read the whole field before committing to a cut
• Develop the habit of making the simple play when the advantage is available
• Build communication between the player with the disc and their options
• Train defenders to force the offence to earn the advantage

Targeted Core Skills

• Disc-in-hand scanning (catch and look first)
• Communicating options vocally ("Under," "I'm free," "Deep")
• Reading defensive positioning in real time
• Decision confidence — taking the open throw without overthinking

Setup

• 3 attackers vs 2 defenders in a 30x20m space
• One end line acts as the scoring line
• Disc starts in the hands of an attacker in the backfield
• Defenders start marked on the 2 players up field
• Active Handler Starts with a force applied to them, but the mark does not follow the play.

(Diagram to be added)

Execution

1. The attackers up field activate simultaneously.
2. They read where the defenders are and make moves.
3. One attacker cuts to receive; the other creates/keeps space by moving or staying away.
4. After the initial throw there should either be a pop back to the initial handler and continuation or make a power position shot to the other cutter.

Rotation: Score/turnover → It is a score if both downfield players touch the disc. A turn over is a turnover.

Emphasis / Coaching Focus

• Two attackers should not cut simultaneously — find who has the better option
• The players need to look at each other and the surroundings and make a choice committing to that choice.
• Don't make the drill harder than it is — the advantage is real, use it simply
• Defenders: pressure the disc and force a decision, don't both chase the same attacker

Common Mistakes

• Both free attackers cutting at the same time and removing the advantage
• Player with disc holding too long and allowing defenders to recover
• No communication — both attackers guessing rather than knowing
• Attackers running set patterns instead of reading the defenders

Developments

Development 1 – Under and Deep clamps

Objective: Force overloads.

• The defensive players set up deep and under "clamps"
• Attackers learn to overload specific defenders/positions.
• Know when to get involved and when to stay out.
• COMMUNICATE

Coaching Emphasis:

• The call doesn't need to be sophisticated — it just needs to happen
• "overload" from the attacker without the disc is also allowed and encouraged

Development 2 – Continuation Constraint

Objective: Add disc movement after the first pass.

• After the first pass, the original thrower must immediately move to create a continuation option
• The team must complete two passes before scoring
• Defender resets and chases — the advantage must be maintained through movement, not just the first throw

Coaching Emphasis:

• The advantage is preserved through quick disc movement, not by holding it
• Move the disc like it is warm — connect to Move The Disc - Quick Ref

Development 3 – Restricted Middle

Objective: Connect to Clear the Middle principle.

• Divide the 30x20m space into thirds: two wide channels and a middle channel
• Throws crossing the middle channel are turnovers
• The offence must find the advantage through the wide channels
• Defenders shade to protect the middle

Coaching Emphasis:

• This forces creative angles and sideline throws
• Connect to Clear the Middle - Quick Ref: find the advantage without collapsing the middle

Progressions / Regressions

Regression:

• Start with 3v1 — one less defender to build scanning habits gradually
• No defenders — just three players finding the best option together

Progression:

• 3v2 + a passive fourth attacker who can be found but cannot receive the first throw
• Full live 4v3 to maintain the advantage theme at larger scale

Coaching Notes

• This drill exposes players who are used to running patterns rather than reading the game
• It is also one of the most effective drills for building the communication habit naturally — the advantage only appears if someone talks
• See Coaching Cues Reference for cues on decision-making, communication, and commitment
• See What Good Looks Like for what quality offensive decision-making and communication look like
• The simplest play is often the best. Reward boring, correct decisions.
• Connect to Backing Your Decisions: find the advantage and take it — don't hesitate to make the simple play

Related Drills

• 4 Second Game
• Play from the endzone line
• Small Box