The Mark

Marking is often an afterthought. Not many people realize the vital role a good mark plays in team defence. 

If I can, I'll take a moment to note that ultimate is a team game. There just aren't many players out there who can actually take over a game. This is perhaps especially true on the defensive end. While two good O players can force the issue, rare is the defensive pairing that can dictate the flow of a game. Too often there are only 4 or 5 guys playing good, strong D, while the miscues by the other players will cost you the point. That is the reality in a sport where the offence is so heavily favoured. But I digress...

Dirty break.

And here is where the mark comes in. You must have good marks in order to give your defensive unit a chance. 

You will get broken. Actually, the higher the level you play the more likely it is that a given player can make quick work of your mark. The point is that you want to make the thrower work, forcing them to their second or third option. Good marks dictate the play of your opponents O by effecting the timing and spacing of their disc movement. 

It's pretty obvious that you can't stop all throws at all times. You do want to be able to influence as many as possible though. Effectively closing down the breakside while simultaneously challenging the huck is not just any skill. You have to know:

1. Where the holes are in the way you have chosen to mark.

2. Where the holes are in your own mark.

3. What kind of thrower you are up against.

Whatever you prioritize comes at a cost. If you want to challenge that huck, you will be giving up a little more space for the breakthow. This is what I noticed when playing against JAM at UPAs last year. They were able to break the mark so well that they just abused elite players. They made up their minds that if the marks were going to play aggressively, they would simply take that extra little space, looking to break on what seemed like every throw. (Note that this is a wonderful example of the offensive theory of 'take what they give you'). Oh yeah, JAM won UPAs.

You have to choose a balance, based on numerous discrete factors. But the theory behind the mark, in my mind, is to lower the offense's percentages by forcing them away from their primary objective. It means that instead of being victimized by a thrower who can move you out of position, you clearly identify what you want to take away from them and you will yourself not to get beat. 

Anticipation, both in terms of knowing what they want to throw and in terms of knowing what your defence is giving up/taking away, is paramount. Marks are predicated on physical conditioning, reaction time, ultimate IQ, and execution. They often need to be far more dynamic (varying the spacing and positioning depending on the count). They often need to bite less. 

You can't win with bad marks. You just can't. Offences are too good.

And marks aren't individual either. Try screaming at the guy on the mark, telling him where the disc is, reminding him to stay active and work harder, and giving him the close call. It's a team game, remember. 

Those are some of my thoughts.

tcs