Frisbee throws Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
From the perspective of physics, two things must be done in order to throw a Frisbee (flying disc, or simply disc):- Spin must be imparted to the disc, to stabilize it and to create lift
- The center of mass must be given some amount of velocity
=Useful Tips=
- Typically, you want to plant the foot opposite your throwing arm. Step forward or sideways with the same foot as your throwing arm as you throw. Many people find this counterintuitive, since it is the opposite of throwing a ball. However, planting this way allows you to step around obstructions, should you be unable to change the location of your planted foot. It is an especially useful technique when playing Ultimate or Disc golf.
- Spin is critical to keep a Frisbee flying. Power is a secondary concern. A disc thrown level with a lot of spin and a little bit of power will fly very far, albeit slowly. Many beginners make the mistake of overpowering their throws in order to make them go farther - this often results in poorly aimed throws or throws which angle quickly into the ground.
- Increasing the pitch at which the disc is thrown is also a common mistake. Distance is achieved through stability and power, not pitch. A pitch of around 10-15 degrees will give the disc's flight path some height and may aid in distance. However, a disc thrown at a 45-degree pitch will likely land behind the thrower! (For exceptions, see Upside-Down throws, below.)
- Concentrate first on learning to throw a good, level pass. It's more important to be able to throw level than to throw hard or far, and it's easier to catch. Once you've mastered a level throw, experiment with adding 'bend' or curve to your throws.
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2 Upside-Down 3 Other Throws and Notes |
Right-side up throws are all similar in that they react the same way to the tilt of the disc when it is released. A Frisbee thrown right-side up will accelerate in the direction of the low end of the Frisbee. A Frisbee tilted leading-edge up will lose speed at the end of the throw and make a gentle landing; if tilted sideways (known in aeronautics terms as roll), it can curve around objects.
There is a language for describing throws that curve. Both descriptions are relative to the direction the person is facing and intends to throw. This axis is marked in red in the picture.
This is probably the most commonly learned throw, and also one of the most powerful. There is a long windup for the throw, both in terms of path length and time.
The backhand is an excellent general-purpose throw. Several modifications have been created; some are listed here.
This throw (also known as the flick or the two-finger) is a staple of the Frisbee fan's repertoire, as well as the bread-and-butter throw of Ultimate Frisbee players. Focused in the wrist, this throw takes little time to execute.
As you learn how to throw a flick, it may help to tuck your elbow in towards your body; this is a bad habit to get into if you play Ultimate, but may assist with preventing you from using too much shoulder and arm. As you improve, work on extending your arm out away from your body. Advanced throwers will note that the arm and wrist action is much like a bullwhip cracking sideways; the addition of whip-like motion in your upper arm, shoulder, and even upper body (by rotating the hips) can impart more power onto your throw, but is difficult to control.
The forehand is an extraordinarily versatile throw, and can be adapted to many different situations.
A Frisbee thrown upside-down has a very different flight path than one thrown right-side up. Lift is applied towards the rounded side of the disc; if the disc is completely upside-down, the lift is now propelling the disc straight into the ground. Thus, these throws typically have a stronger arc to them, tend to bank or roll as they fly, and are much harder to catch. Where a right-side up throw tends to spend a considerable portion of its flight path at a catchable height, an upside-down throw tends to land abruptly at a certain point.
To facilitate discussion, the following convention is hereafter used: a disc that is level and flying right-side up is considered to be flying at 0 degrees relative to the ground (DRtG). A disc that is level and flying upside-down is considered to be flying at 180 DRtG. A disc that is flying exactly vertically would be at 90 DRtG, etc.
The Hammer is one of the more difficult throws to master, despite being thrown just like a forehand. Hammers are difficult to aim well due to their high, arcing flight path, and their tendency to catch any amount of wind.
However, hammers are notoriously difficult to throw "properly". Common failure modes include:
A hammer, like most throws, can be released with any amount of angle and pitch and at any strength. A hammer released at nearly-180 DRtG and straight ahead (i.e. with a pitch close to 0) will stay mostly flat and fly directly at a receiver. This throw is difficult to block (in Ultimate) but tends to arrive very fast and at an unpredictable angle, since it often flies like a Double Helix. (See also the Scoober, below.) A Blade can also be thrown intentionally; this is commonly called a Roller in disc golf, as they tend to hit the ground and roll for long distances if thrown very near 90 DRtG.
The Greatest, then, consists of an offensive player who leaps from an in-bounds position, catches the disc, and releases a throw again before touching the ground. Such plays often are cause for a certain degree of amazement from both the crowd and the players around the action, sometimes resulting in defenders standing awe-struck while a still-in-play disc floats past them to a teammate of the receiver. This maneuver demonstrates the arete of a focused Ultimate player. This is an Article on Frisbee throws. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Frisbee throws Right-Side Up
Backhand
Variations
Forehand
Note that 90% of this throw is below the elbow, and most of that at the wrist. A common mistake is to attempt to use the upper arm and shoulder to add power to the throw. Usually, this results in little or no spin being imparted on the disc, which causes it to fall quickly. It's also common for the flick of the wrist to pull the outside edge of the Frisbee up; to compensate, hold the disc somewhat loosely, so that the outer edge hangs down slightly. Experiment with the cocking and flicking motions to determine how best to produce a level throw.Variations
Upside-Down
The Hammer
A hammer, when thrown properly (and in no wind) by a right-handed thrower, will arc up and to the left as it moves away from the thrower. As it flies, the disc will roll over until it is completely upside-down (180 DRtG), falling down and to the right again. Ideally, it should reach its target at between 135 and 180 DRtG to make catching it as easy as possible.
A Blade can be corrected by increasing the angle of release (closer to 180 DRtG); a Double Helix can be corrected by decreasing it. Experimenting with the angle of release should produce a happy medium which works for the individual thrower. Angle of release will also affect the horizontal travel of a hammer, which is difficult to judge even in the lightest breeze. The near-vertical release of the hammer makes them highly susceptible to crosswinds, blowing them well off target. Hammers rely on spin for stability even more than most throws; a hammer thrown with insufficient spin will flop about as it flies, making the receiver's job even more difficult.The Scoober
Another upside-down variant of the forehand, The Scoober (sometimes also called a Hiawatha) looks like a hammer thrown flat to the backhand side. It has an unpredictable flight path due to the almost inevitable double helix that results from the release, is difficult to catch, and is frequently mocked by ultimate players.
Other throws are also known as a Scoober; these seem to vary by geography.Other Throws and Notes
The Thumber
The Thumber is unpopular in ultimate Frisbee circles due to its predictable flight path and proximity of release to the thrower's body. Its singular advantage is that it can be a very hard, very accurate throw, and therefore useful for those uncomfortable with the staples throws of the game, the forehand and backhand.The Greatest
This throw is defined not by its rotation and velocity, but by the situation in which it is used. In Ultimate, a disc is considered in-play so long as it does not touch the ground, even if it is out of bounds. A receiver who wishes to play a disc that is flying out of bounds may only do so if his last point of contact with the ground is in-bounds; otherwise, the disc is now out of bounds, resulting in a turnover.