The Importance of a Good Mark
Controlling
the field
By Stacey Wowchuck
Photograhy by John Tajima
Good
marking is an art. It requires agility,
coordination, and fast feet. A good
mark forces the thrower to use only
one side of the field (force side),
and eliminates the break-force throw.
The first rule of good marking is to “hold the force.” This is your one and only job as a mark. If the force is broken, then the entire defence is out of position, making it very easy for the offence to score.
Good marking involves three parts of your body: your feet, your arms and your eyes.
As a mark you should always be on your toes and ready to move laterally. If you stand still, it is very easy for the thrower to step out and throw around you. When you are on your toes, your weight should be on the balls of your feet and your knees bent. Being on your toes does not involve lifting your feet up and down (read: bare feet on hot sand), but able move left or right swiftly and change direction accordingly.
Increasingly, foot-blocks are becoming the mark of choice for some players. A note of caution: foot blocks are dangerous, low-percentage and aren't always sanctioned by leagues and tournaments. Furthermore, an important component to lateral movement is balance, which tends to disappear when attempting foot blocks.
The position of your arms is important as it reinforces the mark. Having outstretched arms is yet another obstacle for the thrower to get around. Keeping your arms high or low is a matter of personal preference. Having your arms lower is usually better, as it forces the thrower to use a higher release throw, which is easier to intercept, has the potential to get caught in the wind, etc.
A common question about marking is “where should I look?” Where to look depends on the individual. Some players look at the disc. Other players like to look at the throwers eyes. I have found that the most effective place to look is at the throwers wrist. They cannot throw the disc without first moving their wrist. Again, it is a matter of personal preference and figuring out which method is most effective for you. If in doubt, always come back to the first rule of marking: hold the force.
One last point about marking is the hand-block. Arguably one of the most gratifying defensive moves, it is also one of the riskiest. If you are able to get a hand-block it means one of two things: you're out of position on the mark, or the thrower was trying to break force. An active mark is a good mark; however be wary of the throwers fakes. Remember that you are forcing the throw to go in a certain direction. Don’t be a hero - just hold the force. Your team-mates will thank you.
Marking Drill
Number of players: 2
Equipment: one disc
Optional: one pylon (or equivalent marker)
Purpose: trying to cover as many of the throwers throws as possible within 10
stall counts.
The force is a straight-up mark (right in front of the thrower). By using a “straight
up mark’ we are negating the “keep the force” rule. Just remember that we are
working on the three parts of your body necessary for maintaining the force -
not positioning.
Establish who will be the “thrower” and who will be the “mark”.
Role of the mark: The mark is trying to block the thrower’s “throws”. (note:
the thrower never actually throws the disc). Wherever the disc moves, the mark
follows - moving laterally, as quickly as possible, and using their arms and
hands to block
Role of the thrower: faking forehands, backhands, hammers, high-release, and
low release throws, etc.
Optional: set up a pylon 15 feet upfield from the thrower
How it works:
- Mark calls “disc in” and starts counting stalls
- Thrower begins to fake: use all throws as noted above
- Mark is trying to 'block' these fakes: moving to the left, the right, jumping
up, etc. - Once stall 10 is reached, the mark turns and sprints to the pylon
and returns to the marking position
- Disc is called in, and the drill resumes (repeat 3 times, and then switch positions)
