Scobel Wiggins Photography

Overheard from one of Schwa's players: "We may not have pretty throws...but we're gritty!". This was said in jest, after yet another catch over the middle of the field by a Schwa receiver. Schwa does have good throws overall (and several excellent individual throwers in Jill Hutchinson, Chowda, Haley Mcnabb and Chelsea, most notably this weekend). But the Schwa player was right; Schwa is gritty.

Photo: Mark Tomko

The Portland receivers keep their eyes back to the disc and go up strong for floated discs. They catch more than their fair share of "swill," which in the wind can make for a significant number of possessions. Whether the other team's throws or their own, Schwa reads the disc early and accurately. They do a nice job of taking advantage of this in two ways:

1. They mark low. By forcing opponents to throw high, they create more floated disc opportunities

2. The look to the endzone aggressively. Every player that has the disc looks endzone first, then in-cut, then something else...so they never miss a good deep shot opportunity.

Going straight up on the force sideline can be effective, though several of their throwers (Julia, especially) are very good at pivoting for the backhand huck. This team commitment to using their deep cutters keeps the D honest and opens up underneath moves.

Their initial offense is largely sidestack as long as the pull is in bounds, and defenses can expect a heavy dose of Julia James (I could be wrong on this name) cutting under as the three-cutter. 1-on-1 she is very difficult to stop, and continues throws, especially forehanded, very well.

Defensively, you know they are going to make plays. I think that any team, even the Furys and Riots of the world, need to accept the fact that Chelsea Putnam is going to make a big play in the game, and not let it psych you out. Occassionally your best player will make a perfect throw to your best receiver...and Chelsea will block it anyway. Or your best two defenders will be on Chelsea and she will score anyway. If that crushes your confidence, it will be a long day. Give her due credit, and then play the next point just the same, or her big play will start influencing your own decisions even outside of her sphere of influence.