Buzz Switching refers to methods of stifling handler movement, using the current positions of defensive team mates to your advantage and negating offensive advantages. The name comes from American players who first noticed these tactics employed by the Japanese team Buzz Bullets.
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Intelligent defence is the difference between a great defensive team and a world class defensive team. Buzz switch, when done right, can stifle offensive plays and prevent certain goals, encouraging “one more pass”. Over the course of a game “one more pass” could become a turnover, a break and a win.
There are three scenarios for a Buzz Switch, all of which involve the current marker :
1) Open side give and go
If you are defending a cut to the open side, the disc has been thrown (which you cannot get a block on) and you see the thrower already in motion for the give and go, you should peel off to prevent the return pass rather than applying the mark. Your team mate then applies the mark, completing the switch. See this clip with multiple examples:
Open side give and go switch
Drill: Buzz Switch: Open Side Give and Go
2) Dump behind
As the thrower commits to the reset, the marker switches to become the marker again on the new thrower. Only commit once the disc is thrown! See this clip:
Dump behind switch
Drill: Buzz Switch: Dump Behind
3) Dish
As the handler runs upfield for the dish, the defender who is currently marking the cutter looking to dish slides over to get in the way of the handler running upfield; the player who was guarding the handler then switches onto the cutter. See this clip (Clapham, in white, running the Buzz Switch on the far sideline):
Dish switch, resulting in a block
Drill: Buzz Switch: Dish
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