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Learning
to Throw Backhand
There are two main factors to consider when throwing
a disc; forward momentum and centrifugal force (spin). In other words, a well-thrown
disc will have both sufficient wrist "snap" AND force behind it. Wrist snap
is often overlooked by novices, but is essential to throwing the disc successfully.
Two additional important considerations are the angle to the ground at which
the disc is released, and the point in the throw at which the disc is released.
If this all sounds confusing, don't worry too much. With disc in hand, your
physical instincts will kick in and grasp the mechanics fairly quickly.
Just as in tennis, there are two main throws: the forehand (aka flick) and
the backhand. If you've thrown around with your friends, you have probably
been throwing backhands. Here is some useful advice on this throw.
Shown are a couple of different versions of this
grip. It is characterised by the index finger of the throwing hand being placed
along the outside rim of the disc.
The first version has the middle finger of the throwing hand extended towards
the center of the disc. This version gives a high degree of control and stability,
since the index finger along the rim helps with direction and the middle finger
supporting the disc supplies stability.
On
the down side, there are only two fingers gripping the rim, and this leads
to much less power than most of the other grips. Most of the power in a grip
comes from the ripping of the disc off the end of the index finger.
The second version is one rarely seen. It has the index finger on the rim
but not the middle finger support. It gives a little more power as more fingers
are gripping the rim, but the power gain is fairly insignificant compared
to the loss of control. Bigger power gains are obtained by having the index
finger gripping the rim.
This is the most popular grip among experienced
throwers, and is the one used by almost all disc golfers. All fingers are
gripping the rim tightly, and there are no fingers supporting the disc.
This
means there is a considerable loss of control, since the release point is
much harder to judge. A fair degree of control can be regained through practice,
and the loss is offset in some ways by the large power gain produced by the
disc ripping off the end of the index finger. This grip does however make
it harder to throw the high backhand as there is no support for the sharp
upward push on the disc just prior to release.
A certain amount of control also depends on the position of the thumb, and
how tight the grip is on the disc. In general, the tighter the grip, the more
spin which is able to be imparted to the disc, and hence better control in
the wind. The thumb can also be placed anywhere from along the rim of the
disc to pointing towards the center of the disc.
The best control, particularly with respect to air bounces, is to have the
thumb pointing towards the center of the disc, and this also aids a tight
grip. A tight grip also keeps the disc steady and makes high backhands easier
to throw. On the down side, it seems a little harder to get as much distance
with the thumb pointing toward the middle. This is because of the tendency
to drag the thumb across the back edge of the disc on release.
As its name suggests, this grip is a combination
of the two grips shown above. It provides power with the index finger gripping
the rim. It also gives support in an unusual way. The middle finger of the
throwing hand is slightly extended so that the disc is supported by it.
This
grip makes it possible to throw all throws easily, including high backhands,
without the need to change grips. The drawback is a slight loss of power in
the throw, in the order of 5m over a 60m throw relative to a power grip. The
comments with regard to thumb position apply equally to the hybrid grip as
well as the power grip. [1]
Our natural tendency is to directly face the
person we're throwing the disc to. Unfortunately, this often results in throws
that veer wildly off target. So, position yourself accordingly:
If you're right handed,
stand with your right shoulder toward your target; left handers should stand
with their left shoulder facing the target.
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Spread your feet about
hip width apart, so that you have a more stable platform to throw from.
Flex your knees slightly, so that your body is not rigid.
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Bring your arm backwards,
so that the disc is next to your rear leg and you feel your weight shift
slightly back. Your forearm should not be parallel to the ground, but dropped
a bit, so that the disc is at about a 45 degree angle.
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Remember, the force in this throw comes not only
through arm strength, but from your weight (and body mass) shifting forward
as well.
Bring
your arm forward with some force. Not a desperate heave, but a smooth, disciplined
action. The disc should remain at an angle to the ground, although that
angle may be decreased in a natural, swinging motion.
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As
you bring your arm forward, shift your weight forward and take a slight
step ahead with your front foot. This will add force to the throw, so that
your arm doesn't have to do all the work.
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Here's where it all comes together - with the
final two components, release point and wrist snap.
Be aware of where the
disc is while your arm is in motion. The point in the motion at which you
release the disc will determine where the disc goes: left, right or straight
ahead.
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As you release the disc,
snap your wrist forward, so that the disc "jumps" off the side of your first
finger. This will impart spin to the disc, and stabilize it in flight. The
harder you snap the wrist, the more spin the disc gains and the better the
throw will be.
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Be careful to keep your
wrist in line with your arm as you snap it. If you allow your thumb to lift
upwards, you'll lose control of the disc and it won't go anywhere near its
target.
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Continue your arm motion
after the disc jumps off your finger. Known as "following through", this
will help direct the disc towards its target. [2]
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In Ultimate, you have to establish a pivot foot
and since it is natural for righties to step forward with their left foot
before throwing a baseball, they assume that they should pivot on their right
foot. Okay, step back for a moment and think about how WRONG this is... Try
to stand with your right foot stationary and reach as far to your right as
possible, as if you're trying to hit a forehand in tennis. Now reach as far
to your left as possible (with your right hand) as if you were trying to hit
a backhand.
Not much extension, eh? Alright, now try it with your left as the pivot foot,
you can step all the way to one side with your right foot to hit the forehand,
and then step all the way across your body to hit the backhand. MUCH more
extension. In ultimate this is key, because there's a big hairy monster standing
in front of you trying its darndest to keep you from throwing around it. The
extra extension from pivoting on your left allows you to get around the monster.
Remember, righties pivot on their left foot, lefties on their right.
In the case of the backhand throw, first you step out so that your right foot
is in front and to the left of your left foot (i.e. the line made by your
feet is at a 45 degree angle to the direction you want the disc to go). Now
put ALL your weight on your right foot... I'm serious here, the only reason
your left foot is still on the ground is because it's your pivot foot... it's
good if only the big toe on your left foot is touching the ground. Practice
throwing the backhand in this stance; Always maintain balance!!! [3]
References
[1] Hong Kong Ultimate Players Association http://www.nunan.com/ultimate/docs/throws.html
[2] Learn2.com http://www.learn2.com/04/0469/04699.html
[3] GT Ultimate http://cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/ultimate/mens/flick.html
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