Discussion of Endzone Play

This play is another specific instance of the Iso play. The set up of this play is as follows: the Handler has the disc in the middle third of the field, within 15 yards of the endzone. A receiver is in an Iso position about 5 yards inside the endzone in front of the Handler. A Dump is positioned directly behind even with the Handler for a bail out pass, if needed.

The other 4 players are positioned on either side of the Handler (all on one side, or split). If split, two of these players stand just inside the goal line, on the side line; the other players are just outside the endzone a yard or two in from the sideline (see figure).


The Iso is positioned about two yards to the open side of the force, rather than directly in front of the Handler; s/he does not cut to this position, but sets up there and stands still. This positioning of the Iso creates an alley for an inside out pass.

As with how a Dump works, the general rule is: a) if the Iso's marker is looking at the Iso, the Handler will initiate action with a throw; or b) if the Iso's marker is looking at the Handler, the Iso will initiate action with a cut.

The Handler now has 3 options to pass to the Iso: 1) left, 2) right and over the top (this latter is a lower percentage throw). The Handler needs an inside out throw for (1), but it is one that is fairly easy to make (see figure).


If none of the passes are available, the Handler turns to the Dump and unloads the disc. The Iso clears to the sideline, the Handler becomes the new Iso, the Dump is now the Handler, and one of the other players on the sideline becomes the new Dump. Go again.

In Transition

This Iso play can easily be run from flow. The Handler simply calls someone to be an Iso, and the other players should take this cue to go to the front corners of the endzone, leaving only the Iso in the scoring area. Typically, a dump will already be in position. If not, someone should quickly fill in directly behind the Handler.

Two scenarios deserve mention

One scenario occurs when this play is used off a time out more than once, and is recognized by the defense. Hence, poaching will likely occur. The easy way to deal with poaching off a set play is to have a Dump in position, and the other 5 players lined up halfway back into the endzone, with 3 in a lateral stack just inside the left sideline, and the other 2 in a lateral stack just inside the right sideline.

When the disc is checked in, each inside player in the two stacks makes a cut toward each other, then cuts just out of the endzone along an angle toward the sideline. A second later, the next two players in each stack make the same cut, and move out of the endzone. This leaves one player in the endzone, and that player would typically make a cut straight across the endzone for a pass; if a clear throw isn't open, the receiver then makes a cut toward the thrower for a pass (see figure).


The second scenario occurs when the disc is close to one sideline. This results in the Iso player not having two good options to cut to. The solution to this dilemma is to have the Iso set up as a Square first, with all the other receivers across the field. The handler then faces the Square, and makes a break pass to the Square, getting the disc off the sideline (see figure). (Of course, if the Square's marker lets the Square cut to the endzone for an easy pass, so be it).


Once the disc is off the sideline, the Handler can become the Iso, and one of the other players moves over to become the Dump directly behind the new Handler.

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