Ultimate Cutting Lines Drill
A technical and tactical ultimate drill where students practice the under cut and the deep cut from a line, then use them in a small-sided game. It builds changes of pace, leading the receiver with the throw, and on-field communication.
How to play
- Form 4 groups of 6; each group has a line of receivers behind a cone and a thrower with 2 discs 10 yards away, facing the line.
- Under cut (4 min): the first student in line jab-steps backward, then cuts diagonally toward the thrower; the thrower leads them with the pass and the receiver becomes the next thrower.
- Deep cut (4 min): the receiver fakes toward the thrower and then breaks long; the throw should land in front of them about 15 yards out.
- Combo (4 min): one receiver cuts under, catches, and throws to a second teammate who goes deep; then both return to the end of the line.
- Play 3 on 3 on fields of 25 x 15 yards with 3-yard end zones (8 min); a goal only counts if the receiver made a fake before the catch.
- Wrap-up (2 min): each group shares which cut worked best for them and why.
Rules
- The thrower only releases once the receiver has started the cut, never to a standing target.
- Receivers call out or raise a hand when they are open.
- Whoever catches the disc may not run with it.
- Safety: deep cuts go in one direction only so groups don't cross paths.
Variations
Easier
Shorten the distance to 6 yards and practice only the under cut.
Standard
Practice both cuts separately, then combined, before the 3-on-3 game.
Harder
Add a passive defender who shadows the receiver and becomes fully active in the final game.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student serves as a stationary thrower and chooses the moment to throw, deciding which cut is the better option.
- Hearing impairment: the thrower lifts the disc as a signal before throwing and the receiver asks for it with a hand signal.
- Advanced students: require alternating backhand and forehand throws on every rep.
Learning goals
- Perform a cut with a fake and a change of pace.
- Throw the disc ahead of a moving receiver.
- Communicate with voice or gesture when open.
Equipment for a class of 25
- frisbees: 8
- cones: 16
- pinnies: 12
Teacher tip
Stress a clear one-step fake and an explosive break; without a change of pace the cut doesn't work. Set the lines parallel and 8 yards apart so discs don't cross.
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