'Mini' blog

A blog about mini

I love trying to find ways to make coaching points through playing mini with small rule changes that reward the behaviors I want to see. Players will naturally find ways to 'win the drill' and this kind of thinking not only should be encouraged but can be harnessed by coaches.¹ One way I like to do this is to play mini to start a training. For example focus on handler defence and tell the players nothing more than '5 vs 5, front corner goals are worth 2 points'. They themselves will start to prioritise this and find different ways to go about that. We as coaches can then guide the solutions as the practice progresses.

For all the following examples I list the ruleset, and some things the ruleset will work on both offensively and defensively. My favourite sized field for mini is 4v4 or 5v5 laterally across an endzone but you can adjust this as needed.

Double Tag

No stall, a turnover occurs when two defensive players tag the player with the disc simultaneously.

Offensively

• Being aware of defensive positioning

• Quickly locating your next option

Defensively

• Communicating between players

• Slowing down the offence

'Steals' Allowed

Use an old disc for this, 'ripping the disc out' of the throwers hand is legal. To make sure we avoid tug-o-war with our discs I state that if it isn't a clean rip the stall is 0 and the mark has to stand down, but you can police this however you like.

Offensively

• Controlling your mark and abusing them selling out

• Being comfortable with over-zealous defenders

Defensively

• Choosing your moments to strike

• Still playing good defence everywhere else to not allow a release valve

Front corner two point zone

Place boxes in the front corner on both sides of the zones, play games to 5ish with goals being worth 1, but 2 points if scored in the box. Can also police this two point zone by vibes on the sideline, this is better once experience with the concept is ingrained.

Offensively

• Fighting for the upline and front cone space

Defensively

• Prioritising stopping discs getting to these locations

p.s. Has become a driving meme of Wildcats Ultimate since using this in 2025 where we won NZ Nationals.

Middle two point zone

Mark off a centre third of the endzone, play games to 5ish with goals being worth 1, but 2 points if scored in the box

Offensively

• Getting comfortable scoring in tighter spaces

• Moving the defence

Defensively

• Forcing the offence to go wide

3 Second stall

A three second stall count, you can even go lower if you like but I've found 3 is the sweet spot. I would advise against starting at 7/5 seconds if you intend to lower it eventually. It should initially be a shock to the players but then you can get them excited by how quickly they adapt and how good the ultimate actually ends up looking.

Offensively

• Being aware of defensive positioning

• Quickly locating your next option

• Give goes

Defensively

• Quickly setting a mark

'He's Him/She's Her/They're Them'

Tell each team they must nominate who is 'it' each point, this person must receive every second pass.

Offensively

• Learning to support teammates, either who have found themselves in a good position or have a mismatch

• Give goes

• Manipulating defence

Defensively

• Communicating to recognise whose who

• Stopping flow

Resets only

As a team discuss what you classify as a 'reset' move, the usual set I go with is any classic breakside/openside reset as well as front of stack moves. You are only allowed to progress the disc with these moves, sideline is the jury here

Offensively

• Setting up for your team

• Reset throws and cuts

Defensively

• Marking out handler moves

Must Attack

If you throw the disc, or are lateral or behind the disc, you must attack forward immediately to clear the 'handler' space.

Offensively

• Aggressive handler moves

• Filling proactively from the downfield

Defensively

• Communication to recognise the momentum of the disc/where it is likely to next move

• Stop the upline strike cut

Must Switch

Match defence allowed only, no zones. On a whistle or a coaches 'SWITCH!' call every defensive player must leave their assignment and find someone else to mark. Depending on what you want to work on and skill of the team you can also add this is the only time you are allowed to switch. I like playing this with odd numbers (5vs5) to ensure at least one multi stage switch each time

Offensively

• Abusing blown coverage

Defensively

• Communication

• Scramble defence

• Team defence/switching/heads up

• In a mixed environment especially getting comfortable marking various assignments

• Setting up good opportunities to switch or shepherding your offender towards a more favorable match up

I am sure there are many more but these are some of the ones I use most frequently. If you have any other good ones you would like to share please leave a comment I would love to hear them.

1. Players who think and try to break the drill are engaged and this desire to think creatively should be encouraged. If your drill no longer teaches what you want if it is broken most often you should alter the drill or you may have some thoughts about whatever you are teaching that aren't optimal. Reserve 'just do it for reps' drills for very rare occasions.