To begin, this article is being published later than usual. I apologize.
Fast Breaks II is a continuation of Fast Breaks I, please read the part I before this one. The headers of each play link back to the plays in part I.
Play I
Defensive Set-up
Two of New York’s quaffle players were off-broom when Boston’s fast break started. As they chose a hoop to tag, they each identified a Boston player to cover and picked the closest hoop. This ultimately put the New York keeper in position to block the Boston shot.
Drawing Defenders
The New York beater positions themselves parallel to the keeper zone line anticipating a pass behind the hoops. When the pass starts, the beater only needs to turn a quarter-circle to face the receiver.
Had the Boston quaffle carrier noticed the New York beater’s positioning, they could have held the quaffle longer. This would have forced the beater to commit to either stopping a drive from the quaffle carrier or a pass behind the hoops, likely choosing the former. If the beater committed to stopping a drive, the behind the hoops pass would have been open. If they had covered the pass, a driving lane would be open.
Forcing defenses to commit to an offensive option then picking a different option is an easy way to score goals.
Play II
Drawing Defenders
The quaffle carrier waited for the defending beater to commit to stopping the drive before passing. Since the pass was to the left and the beater held the bludger in their right hand, they had to turn over 180° counter-clockwise to make the throw.
Running Parallel
The two quaffle carriers ran parallel throughout. Because the initial quaffle carrier continued their run after passing, they were open later in the play, receiving a pass and scoring.
In a fast break, receivers running parallel force the defense to spread wide. If they do not spread wide, to stop a drive, the parallel receiver is open for a quick pass with enough running momentum to dunk on the hoops.
Play III
Attempted Pick
The Boston keeper attempted to set a pick on the point defender for the quaffle carrier. The point defender noticed the pick and side-stepped around it to wrap the quaffle carrier. The quaffle carrier was able to spin out of the wrap, with tenacity and excellent footwork.
Typically when setting a pick, the pick setter should position themselves in the the blind spot of the point defender, lending an element of surprise to the play. The Boston keeper set their pick while in front of the quaffle carrier. This could be due to New York switching which chaser was point defender.
Juke
The quaffle carrier performs an excellent juke move on the point defender. They use both hip and head movement to sell the fake cut to the left, before actually cutting right.
Finding a Soft Spot
The Boston keeper finds a soft spot in the defensive coverage between three New York defenders. The quaffle carrier lobs a pass at the perfect height for their keeper to catch and score.
Play IV
Pushing the Quaffle Carrier
The New York point defender charged the Boston quaffle carrier, knocking them over and causing a quaffle turnover.
Initiating contact early can slow down a fast break. In this situation a charge was preferable to a, more stationary, wrap. The charge allowed the point defender to use the momentum of the quaffle carrier running against them.
Pushing can also be preferable to wrapping. Pushing a player that is throwing can divert the shot or pass enough for a defender to catch the quaffle. Pushing a driving player on a fast break can slow them down enough for the defense to set up with less downside than wrapping.
Play V
Defensive Set-up
On this play, the defense was able to set up quickly, stopping the fast break.
By the time the quaffle had passed mid-field New York had four of six players on their half and Boston had only the quaffle carrier.
Attempting a fast break here was a good decision. Had New York set up slowly, not anticipating a fast break, Boston could have easily scored. It is always worthwhile to quickly set up a defense.
Play VI
Substituting on Defense
Boston chose to substitute while on defense while New York was substituting. Substituting on defense is always risky and never recommended. It only takes one opportunist on offense to take advantage of the undermanned defense.
Maintaining Bludger Control
The back Boston beater helped their beater partner keep posession of a bludger instead of stopping the driving New York chaser.
Boston was ahead by nine unanswered goals before this play. With such a large lead it possible that Boston valued bludger control over a shutout. Since Boston ended up winning the game by a large lead, it was likely the correct decision.
It is also possible the Boston beater simply didn’t notice the New York keeper driving at all.
Play VII
Push Pass
The Boston keeper passes the ball over half a field length to a chaser teammate.
The Boston keeper used a push pass instead of an overhand pass. A push pass propels the ball with a force in line with one’s forearm. Push passes typically are used for closer passes or by beater trying to quickly throw a bludger. It is notable that this push pass was such a long distance.
Head’s Up Play
The pass was nearly caught by the New York chaser. The Boston chaser punched the ball out of the air and fell on it, keeping it in Boston’s possession.
Drawing Defenders
The Boston Keeper did not draw any New York defenders before passing. However the Boston chaser was open for a pass. Had the ball been thrown slightly earlier, Boston could have scored much faster.
Upcoming
Fast Breaks III will suggest general fast break strategy that could be installed in a team’s gameplan. It will be published Monday, October 29th.