Fast Breaks III

Posted on Published by Scott Lebow

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.

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Single-Play Breakdown: Boston and the Five Zone Pitch

Posted on Published by Scott Lebow

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

Posted on Published by Scott Lebow

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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