At the heart of the strategy, is a person to person defense, but which defensive player covers which offensive player isn t determined until after the cuts have started. Particular assignments are only valid as long as the offensive player is the most viable receiver in the defender s area. It s not unusual for one defender in the Clam to cover three different offensive positions during a ten second stall count. Many variations of the Clam exist, but all require teamwork to succeed. Conventional person to person defense means there are seven offensive players matched against seven defenders.
Most teams use either middle, sideline, forehand, or backhand force against the thrower.
This is the first step toward reducing the area in which each defender has to cover. With two players of comparable abilities, it is virtually impossible for the defense to prevent the offense from getting open. A cut is a foot race to a particular spot on the field, except that the offensive player doesn t tell the defender which spot he or she is racing toward or when the race starts. The offensive player can change his or her mind anytime during the race. When part of the field is blocked by the marker or the sideline, the defense doesn t have to worry about covering the whole field.