Vertical Stack: In-and-Out Cuts with a Clear-Out Rule

A session on cutter timing in the vertical stack: who cuts, when, and how to clear the space after not getting the disc. It moves from an undefended progression to a 5v5 in which teams track whether cuts overlap.

How to play

1. Set up the stack: seven cones in a line down the middle of the field, 3 m apart, and explain the clear-out rule: whoever cuts and does not receive exits to the side and returns to the back of the stack (4 min).
2. Undefended progression in groups of six: the first player in the stack cuts in, the second cuts deep, and so on, always with only one active cut (7 min).
3. Add three passive defenders who go live on the third pass (6 min).
4. 5v5 game on a 40 x 25 m field with end zones, where the offense must set up a vertical stack (10 min).
5. Analysis: one sub per team counts how many times two cutters end up in the same space, then discuss (3 min).

Rules

• Only one cutter goes at a time; the next waits until the previous one clears.
• Avoid collisions: on contested catches, play the disc, not the body, and the player with position has priority.
• Deep cuts are made watching the disc over the shoulder, with no pushing.
• Take a 1-minute water break between the progression and the game.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: plays as fixed central thrower, the handler every cutter looks for.
• Controlled asthma: alternates playing points with points as an analyst and keeps an inhaler by the field.
• Mild visual impairment: teammates wear brightly colored pinnies and the disc is high contrast.

Learning goals

• Coordinate cut timing within the vertical stack.
• Clear space effectively after not receiving.
• Analyze the team's use of space from observations.

Equipment for a class of 25

• flying discs: 4
• cones: 24
• pinnies: 14

Teacher tip

The typical mistake is three cutters going at once; stop play and have them watch from outside. You can map the cuts on the ground with colored cones.

More activities like this

More main activities for High School