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.
(more…)Setting up Shots with 1-2 Passing
In the beater screen article I discussed how 1-2 passing can draw the attention of the defending beaters. In this article I will examine how 1-2 passing opens up shooting angles for offensive chasers.
What is a 1-2 Pass?
1-2 passing is a concept common in many sports including soccer, basketball and hockey.
The basic concept is two quaffle players use one quick pass to pull the point defender out of position then take advantage with another quick pass.
First, the quaffle carrier allows the point defender to key-in on them.
(more…)Fast Breaks III
When to Fast Break
As a general rule, a fast break will be successful when a team outmatches an opposing team. If one team is superior to the other at every position, a fast break should score every time.
Even if teams are even in skill, mismatches can still occur:
- An offense with more quaffle players on broom than a defense
- An offense with bludger control ready to press on the defense’s beaters
- An offense with quaffle players that are faster than the defense’s
Typically teams do not fast break into a defense with bludger control. However, it can be successful if the offense’s beaters have either delayed the defense’s beaters or are confident about distracting them.
If a team substitutes on defense, they are left vulnerable to a fast break until the substitution procedure is completed.
(more…)Fast Breaks II
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.
(more…)Fast Breaks I
A well-balanced quidditch offense uses fast breaks in addition to set offenses to score goals. In this three-part series we will examine each fast break in the second New York City Titans and Boston Nightriders game at the 2018 MLQ championships.
In Part I, I will introduce the fast break concept and how it differs from a standard set offense. I will also introduce each of the seven fast breaks in the game.
(more…)Single-Play Breakdown: Offensive Opportunities and Beater Defense
The New York City Titans struggled offensively in their second game against the Boston Nightriders at the 2018 MLQ championships. The following article will explain how the Boston beaters were able to react quickly to New York’s passing and were able to take bludger control from New York’s beaters.
Single-Play Breakdown: Point Defense
During the second Boston Night Riders vs. New York City Titans semifinal at MLQ Championships 2018, I noticed a play where Boston’s point defense is able to stop New York’s offense:
To analyze, I have split this play into five sequences. I mostly will be focusing on the Boston point chaser and the Boston beaters.
(more…)Single-Play Breakdown: Boston and the Five Zone Pitch
While watching the Boston Night Riders vs. New York City Titans film on Youtube, the player movement on a single play stuck out.
In this play the Boston chasers exhibit strong off-ball movement, creating a key pass opening in the New York defense. Let’s introduce the five zone pitch concept to describe this movement.
(more…)The Beater Screen
Good quidditch teams use quaffle passing not only to score goals, but also to gain and retain bludger control.
Recently I wanted to watch the 2018 MLQ Championships footage. Rather than watch the hour or more livestream recordings, I started with the one standalone game on the channel, Austin Outlaws vs. Rochester Whiteout – Game 1.
Three times Austin used a set play on offense I would describe as a beater screen. Their first attempt ended in a missed shot. Their second resulted in a goal. And their third led to a reset and resulted in bludger control.
While only one attempt led to a goal, all three plays created offensive opportunities, slowed the pace of the game and helped Austin stay in snitch range.
(more…)Diagramming Quidditch
On this site I am attempting to diagram quidditch. I’ve created the following key to reference when reading or creating a diagram.
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