How to Point Block in Ultimate Frisbee

The point block is a rare and special play. A point block occurs when a defensive player stops a pass just after it leaves the hand of thrower he is defending. You need great timing and anticipation to become proficient, but once you have established the skill, you will find many throwers fear to be matched up against you and will hasten their deliveries to avoid the point block. This can lead to errant throws and defensive blocks further down field.

Instructions

    • 1

      Position your body alongside the thrower you are defending. You need to be close enough to be able to react to what she does, but not so close that you cannot move around without bumping into her. If you are too close the thrower will be able to get a throw of behind you. Generally about 1.5 feet of space between your chest and the thrower's shoulder is good.

    • 2

      Stay balanced. The thrower will pivot and fake in order to open up a lane to throw into. It is essential that you as a defender react to these feints in a way that does not cause you to lose balance. Rather than lunge with an arm at each fake, slide your feet to reposition yourself instead. This way when the disc actually takes flight, you will be poised to strike. Keep your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart, but do not spread them too widely. Again a tight balanced stance will improve your reaction time.

    • 3

      Strike from below. Keep your arms low and flash them up into the throwing lane just as the thrower prepares to release. It is easier to pull your arms up to the disc than to pull them down toward it.

    • 4

      Fake out the faker. The thrower pivots and fakes in order to control the action between you. If you preempt her fakes with feints of your own flashing your hands into the throwing lanes you will disrupt her rhythm.

    • 5

      Learn your opponent's tactics and release points. The more you play the more times you will run into someone you have matched up with before. Make a mental note of the things throwers like to do just before they release the disc and where they like to release different throws from. Some players like to throw their forehands low and their backhands high, others vice versa. Some players always fake a certain way before throwing a certain throw, others never fake at all.

    • 6

      Make the play. There is only a split second each throw when a point block is even possible. Focusing on the above methods will only get you in the right position from which to make a point block. To make the play, just as the opponent is about to release the disc, pull your hand, fingers extended into the lane in front of the disc - the area that is about to travel into. Do not aim for the disc, but rather the airspace directly in it's path. Let the disc come into you ready hand.