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.

2:33:00 – 2:33:23
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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:

34:46 – 36:06

To analyze, I have split this play into five sequences.  I mostly will be focusing on the Boston point chaser and the Boston beaters.  

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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.  

32:04 – 32:23

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.

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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.  

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