Cutter moves

Everyone on offense who doesn't have the disc is a cutter.   The biggest differences between what we call cutters and handlers without the disc is where the two positions set up, start their cuts from, and the shape of the space they have to work with.  I'm not going to try and differentiate them more than this in this post, that is a topic for another time.  These concepts should apply to either position equally.  This post is only about the concepts that get people open and a few examples from great players.  

Things that matter when a cutter tries to get open, in no particular order:

• Timing
• Spacing
• Defenders hips
• Defenders momentum
• Thrower's ability
• Environmental concerns (wind, rain, mud, etc.)
• Other defenders
• Other offensive players
• Strategic structure/expectation
• Ability to accelerate/decelerate
• Ability to change direction
• etc.

This list is long and contains infinite situational permutations.  This is why cutting on offense is nuanced and difficult to teach.  There is a ton of stuff going on with 14 bodies on the field.  The best cutters are often able to do many of the things on this list well and very quickly.  I think the goal when learning how to cut is to work towards understanding concepts well enough to be able to focus on what is important and to react instinctively.

Here are some examples of great moves on offense:

BMW backpedal:

We are watching BMW, #1 in this gif.  In the first part of this gif, he is driving towards the open side.  He then stops quickly, back pedals, then accelerates into the lane and catches the goal.   Watch closely for how BMW's hips are angled through the entirety of this move.  Then watch how his defender's hips change.  This move is all about hip position, momentum, and BMW's ability to change direction. 

Derek Jab 1:

Derek Alexander (Goat #4) is a monster when it comes to offensive footwork.  He is the center handler cutting for a reset in the gif below.  In this gif, first notice how far he is able to make his guy jump.  Then, take a closer look at the footwork he uses to do so.  He has excellent lower body strength, allowing him to get really low and accelerate quickly.

Derek Jab 2:

In this move Derek uses jab steps at dangerous angles to make a lot of extra separation.  In his initial setup position, he could just try to race his guy upline, but if he does that his defender might have a chance to make a play.  So instead, he changes direction in a threatening way and creates a momentum advantage over his defender, resulting in the easy score.

Note: I do not own these videos.  Videos are from NGN and Chicago Machine.