Playing in Offence

Here we introduce the basics of offensive strategy for Ultimate.

Ultimate has hundreds of formations and tactics, but here are some basic ones the all good Ultimate players will know. Once you have mastered these, you can follow the links to take your team to the next level.

Stack 

A formation where the offensive team will create space (passing lanes) by all starting in a vertical line along the middle of the pitch to create space along the sides of the field to cut into.

Positions

Although anyone can go anywhere on the ultimate field often the strongest throwers are “handlers” and work the disc around whilst athletic and reliable catchers are “receivers” who often run cuts looking for scoring passes down field.

Pairs or Cutting Order

Often before each point starts a specific order will be called for an intended passing sequence to gain a quick score, i.e. player1 to player 2, to player3, to score!

Horizontal

Instead of setting up in a vertical line, "the stack", two horizontal lines, 3 handlers and 4 recievers up field, create passing space in front and behind them.

Zone offense 

When the other team plays some form of zone defence playing offense against it requires slightly different field positions.
Usually there are 3 flat handlers, whose aim is to keep the disc moving with lots of dump and swing passes, much like horizontal.  Then there are 2 "poppers" who look for holes in the cup or the wall to receive short passes.  There are also 2 wings or deep wings to recieve continuation passes from a swing pass by the handlers. (see playing in defence)