I recently watched an episode of Detail on ESPN+ where Peyton Manning, retired, future Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback, analyzed the play of Deshaun Watson, current NFL Quarterback, in his December 12th game. In the episode Peyton Manning explains how to practice and properly sell a play-action hand-off.
Hand-offs in Quidditch
Theory
Many quidditch teams incorporate hand-offs into their offensive scheme with the goal of drawing the defense’s attention away from the quaffle carrier. After the hand-off, the defense should expect the quaffle to be in the wrong player’s hands.
Typically, a wing quaffle player will run a sweep around and behind a top quaffle carrier. If the wing player ran in front of the quaffle carrier they run the risk of hitting the point defender, a moving pick foul.
When the wing chaser is close enough, the quaffle carrier either hands-off the quaffle or fakes a hand-off. Both offensive players need to disguise which of them has the quaffle to confuse the point defender. If the point defender chose incorrectly, the quaffle carrier is now unguarded.
Film Examples of Hand-offs
In the above play from the MLQ 2018 Championships the NYC Titans perform a hand-off.
In this play, from the same game, the Boston Nightriders perform a hand-off with more success.
Selling a Handoff
This zoomed clip shows the first hand-off in closer detail. The hand-off was unsuccessful because Boston point defender was able to follow the quaffle throughout.
This zoomed clip shows the New York defense following the wrong quaffle player after the hand-off. The point defender shifts left, but the quaffle is moving right.
Compared to the first hand-off, the Boston quaffle players did a much better job of disguising their hand-off. The quaffle carrier angles their shoulders to hide the quaffle and the receiver performs a slight stutter-step after the hand-off.
These small details allow Boston to sell the disguise and led to a goal on the play.
Detail with Peyton Manning
In this clip from Detail, Peyton Manning describes how he practiced disguising his hand-offs. Manning filmed himself in practice both handing off the football and faking a hand-off. He would later compare the two videos to make sure every detail matched.
There is no reason this couldn’t be done in quidditch. If a team bases their offense on hand-offs, or even just incorporates hand-offs into their scheme, they owe it to themselves to rigorously practice their technique.
Manning set up his camera to replicate the Middle Linebacker’s view. In gridiron football, the Middle Linebacker would most need to adjust their coverage based on who holds the football after a hand-off. In quidditch, the point defender serves this role. As such, the camera should be placed to replicate the point defender’s view.
Conclusion
Hand-offs have a role in modern quidditch offenses. With diligent practice teams can reliably confuse opposing defenses.