Throwing a Good Break Throw

Hello Ultimate Frisbee Players!

I am back from two gruelling weeks of reservist, much like this gentleman over here!

A lot of things happened over the past two weeks, with Singapore University Games 2015 (SuNiG) under way and local teams heading over to Taiwan for Turn Up Taipei 2015 (TUT)! You can check out some amazing photos of the SuNiG teams and the TUT teams over at Ultimate Leh!'s facebook page, courtesy of our veteran ultimate photographer, Uncle Eric!

Credits: Eric Lim S C

Today we are going to talk about break throws! a break-side throw is a very devastating weapon as it cuts through the opposing team's defence, giving the next thrower many options to give to as the opponsing team members are now marking at the wrong side of the field and need time to set up the defence again.

A Throw to the Open Side

A Throw to the Break Side

Credits: Eric Lim S C

That being said, a break side throw is hard to execute at times, given that you are breaking the entire opposing team's defence with that single throw. Hence, here are some tips on how to perfect break throw for that devastating cut into the opposing team's defence!

1) The Look

To execute a good break-side throw, the person marking you cannot find out that you are going to do so! Shifting your eyes too quickly to the break side may result in the person marking you to be wary of your intention and mark even more to the break side,

Credits: Eric Lim S C

2) Never release high break throws!

Releasing a high break throws allows time for the marker to recover from the break and leave the disc in a dangerous predicament between your receiver and your receiver's marker!

3) Communication with your receiver

A conventional offense would be do cut at the open side, which is usually not at the break side, though in some teams, cuts are made to the break side as well. Hence, communication is very important between the thrower and the receiver as your receiver has to know if you are attempting a break side throw and cut to the break side!

4) Try to zip your break throws if possible

A break throw is thrown between a tight space in between the receiver and the opponent marking the opponent. Hence, floating your break throw results in the throw having more hang time in the air, more susceptible to Ds or interception from the opposing marker.

Credits: Eric Lim S C

5) If you cannot do it, do not force it!

A break throw can be risky at times, and should not be forced when a good defence is set up on you. Do a normal throw and attempt to do a break side throw when there is another opportunity. This is important as in higher level games, possession is a key factor in getting scores in the game!

6) Practise! Practise! Practise!

As I have mentioned countless of times in all my tips tutorial, it is extremely extremely important to practise your break-side throws! Ask a friend to mark you while you throw or if you are along and you happen to see a food ball field, use the poles of the net as your 'marker'! Here's a video on how to break a mark to help you in your practice!