Good question. I'm not a total expert on Hex but that "one person in the middle" set up does seem vaguely reminiscent of having one person at the saddle point.
But if you look at the Brown examples, there's a few where they're in more of a "spread"/"ho" set-up, and at least one where they end up looking very vert stack-y (though possibly just by coincidence?)
So I think it's more the obsessive "cut and clear" philosophy that's un-conducive to saddle point cuts, and less so a particular shape. Like a better question is, in a given offense, "where do you have a right to slow down?" Most teams would say you can't ever slow down at the exact point where Brown always* slows down. (*not literally)
I have been trying to teach people this concept for a long time but have never found a consice way to reference it that clearly captures the nuances as well as 'saddle point'. I really like this. A lot!
How do you see this concept applied when there are poaches or brackets? I find it hard to see the advantage of the saddle point cutting in a situation that some will be waiting for you in that space
Yeah, I might not use this strategy against a poach, I think it's most effective against straight 1-on-1 defense. "Take what the defense gives you" as they say -- and if there's someone poaching in the lane, it means you've got a teammate open somewhere else.
Loved this! Which offensive shapes do you think are most conducive (or least) to saddle point cuts?
Good question. I'm not a total expert on Hex but that "one person in the middle" set up does seem vaguely reminiscent of having one person at the saddle point.
But if you look at the Brown examples, there's a few where they're in more of a "spread"/"ho" set-up, and at least one where they end up looking very vert stack-y (though possibly just by coincidence?)
So I think it's more the obsessive "cut and clear" philosophy that's un-conducive to saddle point cuts, and less so a particular shape. Like a better question is, in a given offense, "where do you have a right to slow down?" Most teams would say you can't ever slow down at the exact point where Brown always* slows down. (*not literally)
I have been trying to teach people this concept for a long time but have never found a consice way to reference it that clearly captures the nuances as well as 'saddle point'. I really like this. A lot!
Thank you! It's funny how important it can be to find a phrasing that sticks. Seems to be a theme lately
How do you see this concept applied when there are poaches or brackets? I find it hard to see the advantage of the saddle point cutting in a situation that some will be waiting for you in that space
Yeah, I might not use this strategy against a poach, I think it's most effective against straight 1-on-1 defense. "Take what the defense gives you" as they say -- and if there's someone poaching in the lane, it means you've got a teammate open somewhere else.