MÃœS
Marking
Marking is the action of defending the thrower. The marker has two conflicting goals: prevent a throw to a particular area of the field, and harass the thrower into making a mistake. The first goal is predicated on team coordination to accomplish a turnover. This is called establishing a force. The thrower is 'forced' by the marker to deliver a pass to a particular area of the field while downfield defenders attempt to deny receivers that area. The second goal relies on individual effort by the marker to get a point block or stall. Both can be highly effective techniques.
The key to strong marking is in the stance. The proper stance affords power and balance that you can use to respond to, or even anticipate, thrower's actions. Spread your feet to about twice your shoulder width. Bend at the knees, so the weight is on the balls of your feet and your upper body is upright. Do not bend at the waist. This gives you a center of gravity above the midpoint between your feet and the leverage to move quickly in any direction. You want to be able to hop left or right along with the thrower without having to change your stance. Your arms should be out to your sides with the elbows tucked in, hands low, and your fingers splayed.
This position uses your strongest, fastest muscle groups when you move to attempt a block. You can quickly dart your hands to an unknown point of release or shift your position to block a throwing lane. Extended arms are harder to shift to the point of release and more easily anticipated by the thrower. Most throws go underneath the marker's arms. Until a thrower has beaten you with a high throw, keep your weight, and arms, low.
Once you have developed the proper stance, you need to practice moving with the thrower. This involves maintaining your stance while hopping to block the throwers potential release. Do not lunge, bend over, or lift your feet into the air. All these actions ruin your balance and limit your mobility. Use them only when the thrower is actually releasing the disc and you are attempting a point block.
The next step is learning the proper reactions to a throwers movements. There are only four basic moves: shift left, right, back, or forward. If the thrower is attempting to throw into the dead zone, the defender must step back . This helps the marker defend by giving more time to react to a pivot by or a released disc. It also prevents the thrower from obtaining a free release behind the defender. The marker must still remain active, shifting with the thrower as they attempt their throws into the dead zone. As throwing skills increase, this job becomes more difficult and the size of the dead zone shrinks. When the thrower turns to the side, away, the marker must step up to reduce the size of the throwing area and be in position to make a block. As the thrower attempts throws to either side, the marker must shift right or left to block the lanes.
After mastering of rapid shifts in position, you need to anticipate the throwers intentions. There are many resources to draw on here. First, be ready to respond to teammates requests. Second, use your peripheral vision and ears. Third, recognize the throwers patterns. Fourth, get inside the throwers head.
One advantage the marker has is always knowing where the thrower will be. Their pivot foot determines their location. The marker, however, can be anywhere. If given free reign to harass the thrower, move quickly and unexpectedly to different throwing lanes. Occasionally don't respond to the throwers movements. If the thrower is expecting a reaction this can throw him off stride.
When the marker is in a force defense, the primary responsibility is to prevent a pass into the dead zone. The marker should remain in the throwing lane to the weak side and still be very active. When the thrower attempts to break the mark, back up into the throwing lane. This gives you more time to respond to the throw and prevents the thrower from releasing the disc past the markers body.
Another thing to help your marking is to learn individual thrower's habits, such as noticing a penchant for the high backhand. We all have our rivals that we play frequently, so notice the types of throws and fakes the players you cover use. If they regularly throw over the marker, be ready to take a step back to make this more difficult. If they often step into the marker, be aware of that. If they always throw the low inside out forehand, be ready for that. There is no one perfect position to set up in. On some people you should set up as tightly as you are allowed, on others, you want to back up a little.
You can also make adjustments for the weather. If it is windy, be sure to stay low and force higher releases. This will expose the disc to more wind and occasionally force unstable release angles.