2-3-2 & 3-2-2 Zones
Overview
While I have been at Warwick, the only outdoor zone I've been taught is arrowhead. Arrowhead is very useful for forcing the other team to swing the disc and slowing them down in windy conditions, but it is very tiring to play and is easily exploited in low wind, meaning our only option in good conditions is matching. Also, slowing the other team down is not always what we want. Sometimes we may wish to tempt them into riskier throws so that we can get a quick turnover, or we may wish to set up something to stop their deep shots. Learning one or two more zones will give us more options and therefore more ways to adapt to a specific game.
2-3-2 Box Zone
Structure
The 2-3-2 zone has two chasers, three mids (also known as the wall) and two deeps. Unlike arrowhead, when using this zone we are trying to prevent swings and force them towards the middle, where our wall is set up.
Whichever chase is closest will set up a force towards the other chase. Their job is to stop swings so the force should be much further around than usual, not worrying about any throws up the pitch. The other chase should mark the open-side dump, it is their job to stop swings to the open side. The forcing changes when the disc is on the sideline, but we'll talk about that in a moment.
The mids should all be working to mark out any cutters coming under. They may wish to actually face away from the disc most of the time so that they can see the cutters and get in front of them.
The deeps should take half of the deep space each and mark out any potential deep options. They also need to communicate to the wall a lot so that they know what's coming if they are looking at the disc.
Trap
When the disc is on the sideline, we no longer want to force middle. Instead, we set up a sideline trap.
The nearest chase puts on a hard no-around force, just like an arrowhead trap. The wall should then come in close to form the rest of a 4-person cup. Importantly, the second chase is not part of the cup. Instead they will set themselves up to prevent any big swings to the handler on the far side. The deeps still have a similar role but one may wish to come in closer to mark out throws over the wall.
Animation
3-2-2 Lane Clogging
Structure (Centre)
This zone consists of 3 chasers (who effectively mark the 3 handlers), 2 mids (who pick up under cuts, and 2 deeps (who mark deep cutters).
When the disc is in the centre, the middle chase puts on a flat force and the other 2 poach off so that they block the cutting lanes. This zone is designed to allow swings but stop any movement up the pitch.
Structure (Sideline)
When the disc is on the sideline, we now force middle. Again, the other two chasers poach off into the lane. All of this once again stops any throws up the field and forces lots of swings, similar to how an arrowhead is sometimes used.
The advantage this zone has over arrowhead is that it is less tiring for the front three, as the person who is forcing will switch and they don't all have to chase after the disc.