Overview
Seattle is a continuous endzone entry drill built around two stacks — one front, one back — in the endzone. A handler on the sideline feeds a cutter into the centre of the field, who then delivers a leading pass to the endzone. The endzone cutter does not try to score — they receive it cleanly, quickly offload back out, and the disc returns toward the next handler position. The drill alternates sides each rep and rotates continuously, giving everyone reps in every role.
The core skill is the geometry of the endzone entry: the out-and-under cut to receive in open space, the quick read into the endzone, and the fast offload that prevents the disc from dying inside the scoring zone. It connects directly to Move The Disc - Quick Ref — the disc should never stop being alive, including inside the endzone.
(Diagram to be added)
Aims
Aims
- Train the geometry of the endzone entry cut — out-and-under from the front stack, receive in centre field
- Develop the quick release from the endzone — receive it, offload it fast, don't hold
- Build the timing connection between the centre-field receiver and the endzone cutter
- Reinforce alternating-side awareness — players must adapt the cut to the correct side each rep
- Develop continuous flow — the drill should not stop between reps
Targeted Core Skills
- Out-and-under cutting mechanics — see Split Cut for the commitment required
- Leading pass accuracy into the Scoring Space
- Quick decision-making and release from the endzone — connecting to the 2 Second Window
- Scanning before the catch — the endzone cutter must read the incoming pass and move immediately
- Stack discipline — front and back stacks must hold position until their cut is active
Setup
- Two stacks inside the endzone, roughly central: front stack (near the endzone line) and back stack (deeper into the endzone)
- Both stacks are roughly in line with the centre of the field — not on the sidelines
- Handler stands on the sideline with the disc, level with or just outside the endzone line
- The side the handler stands on alternates each rep
(Diagram: handler on left sideline. Front stack left-of-centre, back stack right-of-centre inside endzone. Arrows show F1 cutting toward handler's side then out-and-under to centre field. B-last cutting to opposite front cone.)
Execution
One full rep:
- Front of front stack (F1) cuts toward the handler's side of the endzone, then changes direction — out and under — toward centre field.
- Handler throws to F1 as they come open in centre field.
- Simultaneously, back of back stack (B-last) cuts toward the opposite side's front corner of the endzone.
- F1 (now in centre field with the disc) throws a leading pass toward the opposite front corner — throwing to the space ahead of B-last, not to where they are standing.
- B-last attacks the disc aggressively. The goal is to receive it as early as possible — do not try to score, just get clean possession quickly.
- F1 moves forward toward the endzone immediately after throwing, available for a return pass.
- B-last offloads quickly to the moving F1. B-last does not hold — the disc should be gone within the 2 Second Window.
- F1 receives the return pass near or just inside the endzone line.
Rotation after the rep:
- F1 (original cutter, received return) → joins front of back stack
- B-last (endzone cutter who offloaded) → joins back of front stack
- Handler (H) → joins back of back stack
- F1's return position sets up the next handler: the new front of front stack (F2) is now the active cutter, and F1 (with the disc, near the endzone line) acts as the new handler for the next rep
Next rep:
- F2 makes the same out-and-under cut but from the opposite side
- The pattern alternates sides every rep — players must read which side is active before cutting
Emphasis / Coaching Focus
Coaching Cues
- Out-and-under commitment — the initial cut toward the front corner must be genuine, not lazy. If the cutter drifts directly toward centre, the cut loses its angle and the throw becomes harder. See Split Cut: commit to the first direction before changing
- Throw to the front corner, not to the cutter — the endzone throw should land at the corner before the cutter does. Attack the disc, don't wait for it to arrive
- Endzone cutter: receive and release — the moment you catch it inside the endzone, you are looking to offload. There is no reason to hold. Connect to 2 Second Window
- F1 moves immediately after throwing — do not stand and watch the endzone catch. Be moving before B-last has possession so you are a live option for the return
- Alternating sides — every player must track which side is active before their cut begins. Scanning before you step out of the stack
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes
- F1 cutting straight to centre field without attacking the corner first — the out-and-under loses its shape. The first cut toward the corner is what creates the separation. Enforce the full geometry. Also means they are facing the wrong way for their next throw.
- Endzone throw landing short or flat — the throw to the front corner must be a leading pass, not a floating throw to where the cutter is. By the time it arrives, the cutter should be moving into it, not stopping to catch it.
- B-last catching and holding — the whole point of the drill breaks down if the endzone cutter decides to try to score or looks for another option. Reinforce: receive it, find F1 moving, offload immediately.
- F1 not moving after throwing — standing to watch the endzone catch means the return has no target. F1 should be moving forward before B-last has even caught the disc.
- Stacks jumping early — players stepping out before their rep arrives. Reinforce stack discipline — hold position until your cut is called.
Developments
Development 1 – Endzone Defender
Objective: Add defensive pressure to the endzone entry throw and the offload, training the offence to read and adapt.
- After B-last offloads and the rep is complete, B-last becomes a live defender
- B-last sprints to apply pressure to the next endzone entry throw
- The cutter entering the endzone (next B-last) must now read the defender and adjust their cut accordingly
- Against the defender's momentum: if the defender is sprinting wide toward the corner, the cutter comes inside to the middle of the pitch rather than going to the corner
- The key rule is attack out of the endzone, come inside against the defender's direction — exploit the space the defender leaves as they commit
Coaching Emphasis:
- The cutter's default cut goes to the corner — the defender determines whether they actually go there or cut back inside
- "Attack the space the defender leaves — if they go wide, you go middle"
- The thrower must also read the defender's position before releasing — a throw to the corner against a closing defender is a turnover
- Connect to Free Poaching: the defender is effectively poaching the corner. The offensive read is the same — if they leave space, punish it immediately
Progressions / Regressions
Regression:
- Walk through the cut geometry without any throws first — players move through the pattern at pace to understand the shape before adding the disc
- Remove the back-stack cut entirely: just train the out-and-under and the return, one step at a time
Progression:
- Add Development 1 (endzone defender) from the start of the session for advanced groups
- Allow the endzone cutter to choose: score if the angle is clear, offload if not — develops decision-making rather than a fixed outcome
Coaching Notes
Coaching Notes
- Seattle is primarily a geometry and timing drill, not a conditioning drill. The reps are short — make sure players are getting quality cuts and throws, not just moving through the motions quickly.
- The most common breakdown is the endzone cutter holding the disc. Every time it happens, pause and reset — the habit of quick release in the Scoring Space is exactly what this drill builds.
- Connect to Clear the Middle - Quick Ref: the Scoring Space must stay clear between reps. Players who linger after their cut disrupt the next rep's geometry.
- Connect to Move The Disc - Quick Ref: the endzone is where disc movement matters most and breaks down most. This drill trains the specific feel of keeping it alive in tight space.
- Connect to 2 Second Window: the endzone receiver has even less time than usual — the field is running out behind them. Every rep is a live rep of the window under maximum spatial pressure.