I think it's worth pointing out this is important for transitions and mini-transitions, but ignoring a lagging handler is ineffective in normal flow.
At a league game this fall, I (an old slow guy with great throws) was being guarded by a player with recent national championships under his belt. Instead of shutting me down, he went downfield to poach. He didn't get any D's but I did throw a few scores and a few more hockey assists.
When you don't guard a dump the other team never has to take a risky throw. Defensive pressure becomes non-existent. Even if the handler is 10 yards back initially they can reposition to catch the disc for a minimal loss and in a power position.
I don't disagree -- I didn't use the exact same example you did, but I'd like to think I'm trying to make the same general point in Footnote #2. There's always a balance to these things, and it sounds like the guy guarding you was clearly poaching too much, and smart teams know how to use backwards passes to their advantage
Another great article.
I think it's worth pointing out this is important for transitions and mini-transitions, but ignoring a lagging handler is ineffective in normal flow.
At a league game this fall, I (an old slow guy with great throws) was being guarded by a player with recent national championships under his belt. Instead of shutting me down, he went downfield to poach. He didn't get any D's but I did throw a few scores and a few more hockey assists.
When you don't guard a dump the other team never has to take a risky throw. Defensive pressure becomes non-existent. Even if the handler is 10 yards back initially they can reposition to catch the disc for a minimal loss and in a power position.
I don't disagree -- I didn't use the exact same example you did, but I'd like to think I'm trying to make the same general point in Footnote #2. There's always a balance to these things, and it sounds like the guy guarding you was clearly poaching too much, and smart teams know how to use backwards passes to their advantage