Sideline Support

Recently there has been a lot of talk about how to improve sideline support. I had some ideas on this point. Let it be known to those guys who don’t play college- communication is a critical aspect of the game and one that is a vast improvement from other levels. The sideline is making both a strategic and emotional impact on the game.

Emotionally they are getting people fired up simply by cheering and getting pumped about sweet plays that happen on the field. Too often have we done something awesome and it has gone by casually. We have never charged the field, we have never really screamed our support. If we have a layout or a sky or an upwind break then you should be going nuts on the sideline. It makes a serious impact on how well the players on the field do.

Strategically the sideline makes a huge difference on offense and defense, especially in zone. They can see the entire field while the players are often focused on their one specific job. By choosing a person on field and specifically helping them, you can increase their ability greatly. Tell them who is open, when to call switches, where their player is going, etc.

Finally here are some key terms which we have had trouble using in the past. You really need to understand these in order to be a full fledged part of the team.

Fire- switch from zone to man defense (usually the last man force called)
Set it/ We’re in it- we are still playing zone defense as called
Strike- Somebody is making a devastatingly open cut to the force side. Marker needs to shift from force mark to straight up mark for about two stall counts
No big/ No huck- somebody is streaking wide open deep, marker needs to switch from force mark to straight up mark for about to stall counts
No around- The thrower is looking to throw the disc around your mark (for example on a backhand force the guy is trying to step over and throw the forehand completely past your mark). The mark should shift his feet that way to adjust for a stall count or two
No inside- The thrower is looking to throw the disc low and inside of your force side hand. (For example on a backhand force the thrower is trying to sneak a low backhand to the breakside). The mark should shift his feet that way to adjust for a stall count or two

There are other calls, but if anyone thinks that I’ve missed some important ones, post a comment.