Theory

Players can now make running plays to try and get open for the pass. This is usually done in a cascade of 'cuts'. The player at the beginning of the stack runs towards the thrower, and then cuts sharply to the right or the left (those with knee injuries will want to moderate the severity of the cut to reduce joint stress). This sharp cut usually gets the player a step or two in front of the defense. It is important to get eye contact with the thrower just before the cut. This running pattern gives the offense good chances for leading passes (thrown in front of, not at, the running player).

If the thrower elects not to attempt a pass, the runner will circle back and re-enter the stack (preferably near where they began). By the time the runner begins to circle back, the second runner in the stack should already be making her cut. It takes some 'field sense' in order to determine the optimum time for making a cut, but you want the thrower to have a new pass option immediately after an old one evaporates--this ensures best usage of the 10 second stall count.

If the pass is received, someone further along in the stack should immediately begin to run. This way, when the receiver (now thrower) turns around, a pass option opens up right away.

Player '1' has just made a successful pass to Player '2', and has begun to run up-field in order to re-enter the stack. Further up the stack, a mid has just started running (#1). By the time '2' looks up-field, Cut #1 is already happening--there should be an opportunity for a quick successive pass. If #1 does not look good, another player in the stack should already be making Cut #2. By the time #1 or #2 receives the pass, Player '1' may be ready to receive another pass, or else they can look downfield towards the stack which has now moved back a few yards.
 

Finally, as mid-field is reached, players continue to make cuts, but 'longs' can now begin to think about making a short cut inwards, and then attempting to make runs at the end-zone. This is done while the handlers and mids continue to attempt this steady cascading 'weave' up the field.

A player has just received the disc. They look down the field, and see that Cut #1 is already happening. It is a long, who immediately turns down field and breaks for the end-zone. If she is out-distancing her defender, it may be possible to throw a long bomb for a scoring attempt. If it doesn't look good, Cut #2 is already happening, and provides the opportunity for a short pass. Otherwise, the previous thrower may be getting into position across the field for a third option.

This cyclical type of play, with the cascade of cutting runners makes a very fast flowing offense possible because the running patterns do not cross each other chaotically. Instead, the offense attempts to set a tempo of short quick passes, with the opportunity of surprise long passes to get the disc up the field. When this is executed well, it is beautiful to watch.
 

In Practice

There is no question that it takes a great deal of practice to make these kinds of plays smooth. And when you look at the diagrams that I have drawn, things look very complicated. When should you run, and how? In this section, I'll discuss briefly the tactics at an individual level that will make it possible for the stack to work for the team.

Guidelines for the Cutter

The key to the stack is order. By order, I mean a nice sequence of running. It requires a sense of timing which may take some time to develop. The idea is to always have someone cutting towards an open space so that the thrower has opportunities to move the disc forward. If you are the first cutter, begin running as soon as the disc is received. Make eye contact with the thrower, then quickly go one way or the other. If the thrower does not pass to you, get out of the way. By getting out of the way quickly, you draw your defender with you. This give the next cutter an open area to work with. If you are the second cutter, if you see that the disc is not going to be thrown to the first, then begin running immediately, make eye contact, and then a cut. Every run should be aimed at providing a new pass opportunity immediately after the last.

As the disc moves down the field, the stack should be slowly backstepping to follow the movement.

Guidelines for the Thrower

Once you've received your pass, turn around quickly and look upfield. If your stack is good, someone should already be cutting. This is your best chance to make a pass--before someone catches up to you and begins counting.

If your team is running well, there should be an abundance of passing opportunities. The most important thing in passing is to 'lead' the receiver by throwing the disc ahead of them, not at them. A throw directly at the receiver will cause them to try and immediately stop. If they cannot stop, the defender will be right there to intercept the late pass. If the defender is too close, you might consider waiting for the next cut. Try to meet the eyes of your receiver just before they make the cut. This will give you an indication of what's going to happen.

Finally, once you've released the disc, RUN. A common error is to stand and watch your own pass. Everyone does it. But people who run right after they've thrown the disc are very hard to cover--they usually end up ahead of their defender by a couple of steps. Unless you're sure that the toss you just made is a real stinker, just start running down the field. It might mean that you get the pass right back.

Clogging

If your team has developed enough to actually have a stack and after you or anyone else on your team has cut you may hear people yelling, "Clear Out" or "Don't Clog".

What is happening and why are people yelling?

The person (let's say you) who has cut to the easiest open area of the field is now sort of hanging around making it next to impossible for anyone else to cut to that area.

Why doesn't someone cut somewhere else?

If someone cuts to a spot behind you farther down field then the thrower not only has to make a longer pass, but they have to throw it around you, around your defender and to a much harder area of the field.

If someone cuts to the other side of the field then the thrower has to try to break the force and the defense will do everything that they can to not let this happen.

What should I do now?

You should run like crazy to the back of the stack (farthest from the disc), always looking to see if someone is going to throw you the disc or you should come behind the disc for a dump (more on this later). The main objective here is to get out of the way, BUT to also run to an area where you may still be effective in the overall offence. If you run to the back of the stack you may eventually have to come back in to get the disc again or you may get a pass thrown to you while you are clearing out that scores your team a point. You may also wind up behind the disc where you are now a second option for the thrower. If no one is getting open down field the thrower may turn to you and give you the disc (you still have to work to get open).

As a side note for every player, Man, Woman, Experienced or New, there is nothing wrong with throwing a dump pass. I repeat, there is nothing wrong with throwing a dump pass. The best teams in the world have dump passes built in to their offense. It changes the position of the disc on the field, thus making the defense change position (this may allow for a split second of reaction time in favour of the offence) and it gives your team another 10 seconds to throw the disc.

For those of you who take this to heart, good, now look for the give and go pass -- you may catch your defender napping.

DUMP IT, DON'T PUMP IT!

If your team has the disc, the other team can't score