The Huddle Goes Green - Poopy Green

Ok, not everyone will agree with what The Huddle posts on. In fact, there have been a lot of solid objections to the opinions and suggestions that have been provided. Nonetheless, it's hard to deny that The Huddle is providing a service currently not available in the Ultimate community - so like it or not, you've gotta respect it. Sorta like the new Buttco nickname - upgrade or downgrade, the ladies are sure digging it! Also, look at that picture - he's definitely not deriving his ups from his legs, look at that strategic body placement, this nickname is totally sticking.

On to more pertinent things. If you weren't at the first roughly legit outdoor practice today, you missed a wealth of new info on some new defensive formations and team-d strategies.

With Captain Evander Corkyfield marker-boarding like he was having some sort of Ultimate artistic seizure, the team took to the field for run-throughs of the defensive schemes.

For those in attendance, it was readily apparent that speed and experience were heavily influencing the capabilities of the 7 guys running downfield for D. However, the biggest trick to it all? Communicating and working for the d in every spot, in every role, in every position. Doing the role to assist the other 6 on the field is the real trick.

Like clockwork, Goose comes through with a sick layout swing pass wall D - justifying the need for team D. Jeff was in the right position, read the offense, and pounced once the defense had cut off all reasonable opportunities, forcing the O to make a throw they didn't want to have to make. The individual might get the momentary glory (did you get that D on film there Phyllis?) but the truth is, those d's are created via a full team effort - so get on board.

Thinking about this, there was a lot of writing about Team D on The Huddle a few months back. Although not all of the articles are pertinent or worth the time, this one by chica Chow encapsulates a lot of areas Ghetto should be considering every time the D has to set up.

For those tired of reading, here are a few worthwhile points:

• "One way to think about it, is to have players answer the questions "where and how is the team going to get a turn?" This team defense philosophy shifts the onus from the individual player creating and getting a block to the team generating opportunities for everyone to get turnovers and, in theory, increasing the chances of any player on the field to earn a D."

• "As a final note, team D is firmly ensconced in the concept of deny and contain D. First deny the disc to the O-player but if the disc goes up and the D isn't 150% sure about getting the block, then he switches immediately to containment mode. This means the D-player no longer goes for the block but now works hard to get into position to ensure the designated force is put on the early on the imminent thrower. How many times have we seen a team break the force and the disc move quickly up the broken side for an uncontested score?"

Ok, so those snippets could be shorter, but, ahem, that last line......that only happened like 24 times (minor exaggeration) at today's practice - but yea, think about it - if you were there, you can probably think of at least 5 serious whoopsies that were just like that.

Click that Huddle picture and give some of those articles a look.

Don't let school interfere with your Ultimate education.