Overview
This drill isolates one of the most important reads in a vertical stack: the breakside under. The cutter attacks the open side first to commit the defender, then converts to an under cut into the back space on the break side. The handler has a mark taking away the easy centering pass, a contested deep option with help, and must decide — deliver the under or hold.
The drill is built around a real defensive picture. It is not a giveaway. The handler must read the under window accurately against a mark that is actively working to deny it, and the cutter must make the initial open-side commitment genuine enough to open the breakside lane.
This drill connects directly to the principle of Effective Force — the mark is dictating options, and the offense is trying to use the breakside despite it.
Aims
Aims
- Develop the cutter's ability to make a genuine open-side fake before converting to the breakside under
- Train the handler to read the under window against an active mark and a contested deep
- Build comfort with the decision not to throw — holding when the window isn't there
- Stress-test the cutter's understanding of back space — staying wide, not collapsing infield
Targeted Core Skills
- Breakside under cut mechanics (commitment, conversion, staying wide)
- Handler reading under vs. deep vs. hold
- Break throws to a moving target in the back space
- Marking under pressure — denying the centering pass
- Deep help positioning and communication
Setup
- Handler has the disc on the open-side hash, as if receiving a downfield pass
- Mark is applied straight-up or with a slight break-side shade — taking away the easy centering pass
- Cutter starts in the stack approximately 10–15m downfield on the open side
- Under defender positions between cutter and the central lane — their job is to contest the under, not follow the open-side fake
- Deep option player is positioned further downfield on the breakside
- Deep defender positions to provide deep help — they are covering the deep option
(Diagram to be added)
Execution
- Handler receives the disc (or is handed it) and immediately establishes pivot position.
- Mark sets and applies force — actively working to deny the breakside.
- Cutter takes at least 2–3 hard steps toward the open side — this must be a genuine commitment, not a token fake.
- Cutter plants and cuts hard to the breakside under, staying wide of the central lane and aiming for the back space.
- Handler reads:
- Is the under window open? → deliver the break throw to the cutter's space, not their body
- Is the under closed but deep is open? → look deep (note: deep help is there — this should be rare)
- Neither is clean? → hold. Reset. Don't force it.
- If the under is thrown and caught, the rep is complete.
- If the handler holds, acknowledge the decision aloud — "not there" — and reset for the next rep.
Rotation: Under Defender → Deep Defender → Cutter → Handler → (back to Under Defender)
The mark can be a fifth rotating player or held by the coach/assistant for consistency.
Emphasis / Coaching Focus
Coaching Cues
- "The open-side step is the whole drill. If you don't commit it, the defender doesn't move and the under doesn't exist."
- "Throw to where they're going, not where they are. The back space is ahead of the cutter, not behind them."
- "The mark is taking away the centering pass — that's fine. What does it leave?"
- "Not throwing is a good decision. A forced break into a closed window is a turnover."
- "Under defender: your job is the under lane, not the fake. Don't bite."
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes
- Cutter faking open-side with only a head or shoulder — the feet must move, or the defender doesn't shift
- Handler throwing the under before the cutter has genuinely committed open — the throw arrives into a contested lane
- Cutter drifting infield on the under cut, reducing the back-space distance and giving the defender an easy intercept angle
- Handler forcing the break when the mark has taken it away — the decision to hold is part of the drill
- Deep defender not providing genuine help — if they're not positioned properly, the deep read is meaningless
Developments
Development 1 – Active Mark
Objective: Increase the realism of the throwing decision.
- Mark actively contests release angles, not just position
- Handler must use full pivot and committed fake before releasing
- The under window may not be there on the first look — thrower must be patient
Coaching Emphasis:
- "Fake the mark, not the throw. The fake is for the defender, not to reassure yourself."
- Connect to Break Mark 1: the mechanics from the warm-up drill apply here under real pressure.
Development 2 – Multiple Cutters in Stack
Objective: Add a realistic stack picture and introduce traffic management.
- Two or three additional cutters in the stack on the open side
- They are not cutting — they are creating the vertical stack look
- Cutter must time their breakside cut so it doesn't conflict with other players' space
- Handler now has a partial stack to look through before identifying the breakside lane
Coaching Emphasis:
- "Use your Scanning — the picture is more complex now. Read before the disc arrives."
- "The stack is helping you by drawing defenders. Use it."
Development 3 – Live Deep Option
Objective: Make the deep look genuinely contested and require handler to process two real options.
- Deep option player is allowed to cut freely (not just stand)
- Deep defender plays live — genuine help, genuine contest
- Handler must process both the under and the deep in real time
- The correct answer changes rep by rep
Coaching Emphasis:
- Connect to 2 Second Window: both options may be there briefly. Read early.
- "If you're deciding when it's urgent, you're already behind the read."
Progressions / Regressions
Regression:
- Remove the under defender — focus purely on the cutter's commitment mechanics and the handler's throw shape
- Use a passive mark (position only, no contesting)
Progression:
- Add a stall count starting at 4 — the handler must decide faster
- Allow the cutter to choose between breakside under and open-side away — handler doesn't know which is coming
Coaching Notes
Coaching Notes
- The key coaching point is that the decision not to throw is as important as the throw itself. Reward good holds explicitly — "Yes, that was closed. Good decision."
- Watch the cutter's first step specifically. If it's lazy, stop the rep and restart — the whole drill is built on that commitment.
- The mark's role is to deny the centering pass, not to make the break impossible. If they're shutting everything down, they are being too aggressive — the drill should create a real but difficult window, not a hopeless one.
- Connects to: Effective Force, 2 Second Window, Scanning, Break Mark 1, Vert Stack – Handler Flow and Continue
Related Drills
- Break Mark 1
- Vert Stack – Handler Flow and Continue
- 4 Lines - Away and Under