Short Fill & Breaking the Mark

Short Fill
The role of the short fill is very hard to teach. There is nothing particularly robotic about the position, your job as short fill is constantly changing depending on what’s happening on the pitch.

So to try and convey this we’ll break the position down into a couple of basic principles and talk about each one.

1. The short fill is a Handler!
When I started playing feelings were the short fill was the position you put the guy who was crap. It was damage control, put the crap guy in at short fill and he won’t screw up.

However when you start to play at a higher standard you realise that the short fill is simply another handler whose job is just as important as the other two.

On the reset for 2-5 the short fill provides either a dump cut or a swing cut. He reacts off the initial dump, if the cut goes up the line the dump comes back, if the cut goes back then the short fill moves break side to collect the swing.

The short fill is also charged with continuing the movement of the disc, preferably to the break side.

2. The role of the short fill is to set up that stack.
When playing 2-5 a short fill must control the stack. The short fill must decide where the stack starts, (how far away from the disc, whether to go to the middle of the pitch, or the open/ break side and what angle the stack is at. Also if the stack is particularly stretched the short fill must get his cutters in line and cut out any clogging.

The ideal position for a short fill to be is about 9m away from the disc, giving enough room for the dump to cut but not too far away as to negate deep cuts or the short fills role as a second dump.

In terms of open and break side this can be an individual thing, a general rule I like to go by is to set up 1m onto the open side, although this cuts down on the space your cutters have to get free on the open side, it does provide an option for an “Easy break” and also leaves plenty of room for break side play once the reset comes.

3. The short fill must always be aware of what is going on around him and must always be a threat!
When playing 3-4 it is the job of the short fill to decide when and where an offence switches to a vertical stack to attack the end zone. Short fill must again be loud and commanding. Usually when the disc moves past the brick mark is a good time to make the switch but most important is where the stack goes as referenced earlier, allowing for both open and break threats and providing a break option and a dump option.

Endzone play - easiest way to get free and score is with a break side cut and pass. Short fill must make sure this option is on.

An Easy Break - By setting up the stack in the sweet spot, the easy break is on. For this throw a cut isn’t necessary, just be aware that it can come, and step onto it.

The short fill is also an easy place to threaten deep from, roll onto the break side and burn.

You have just read about 3 basic principle of being a short fill, but the list in not exhaustive, the truth is a short fill can do some real damage, the idea being to recognise what the defence is trying to do and figure out how to stop them doing that by providing options to your handlers and making well timed and intelligent cuts.

Breaking the Mark
Breaking the mark is one of the best things to do in a game. The best way to get good at it is to throw, throw and throw more.

There are 2 options in which to break the mark theses are: Inside or around.
The Principles:

1. If the throw is going to come from the inside then it has to come early.
2. If it goes around then it must go into space.
3. Both times you have to give your cutter the advantage to take the disc before his defender can get a bid on it.
4. While breaks are great it’s better to not throw a dodgy break then to throw one and turn over. Make the right decisions.
5. Pivoting is the easiest way to create space when you need it.
6. Also mix it up, if you throw the same break every time then you man will simply cut it out.
7. Moving the disc quickly is the easiest way to break the mark. Before there is a force on you.