Learning Backhand

[DougEDawg]

Hey guys/girls,


Now that I've joined the PDGA, I'm trying to find weaknesses in my game that I can approve upon in order to become a better tournament player.  I was a big sidearmer (righty) for the last few years, and could barely throw 30 feet backhand.  I really like my forhand shot and topped out at about 375 feet.  Backhand, however, would allow me to throw on those holes where the hole placement is to the left.  Once perfected, it also should allow me to throw 400+ feet.

I've been practicing for about a month now.  I'm just trying to get some muscle memory.  My routine consits of 100 throws on hole three at Adler.  I picked this hole, because it forces me to be acurate with at least 250 ft of distance.  I've also been watching Scott Stokley's instructional videos (which I highly recommend) as well as some of the different World and USDGA tournaments.  Both have been very helpful, and I'm currently throwing with some accuracy about 275 feet.

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.  I don't have a problem with the mildly overstable discs (Wildcat, Flash, Crush etc.), but I'm having problems throwing ROC's (and other midrange discs) withouth them turning over too much.  I noticed that in the USDGA Championships, most of the players use midranges on the first hole (straight down the middle 275 feet thru rows of trees).  It looks like they release on a hyzer angle with good spin.  Some of the prettiest throws to watch....they float with a soft but solid anhyzer and then straighten out and land within 10 feet of the pin.  I long to get that shot into my "Disc Golf Shot Portfolio".

Curious to hear what you guys/girls have to say.

[Dan Michler]

sounds like you pretty much know what to do.  practice.  keep that up and you will continue to improve vastly, especially when the weather gets nice again next spring.

[CEValkyrie]

I did the same thing with Rocs at first. I tried to over muscle them & they'd turnover. You need to work on not overthrowing & find a smooth release. Once you figure it out, you'll be really surprised how far they go. I practiced throwing a putter for distance. Once I got the hang of that I moved to a Roc.  

[D]

Once perfected, it also should allow me to throw 400+ feet.

If one could honestly perfect the backhand throw, they would be able to hit a straw 650ft away, everytime..

Cannot be done!!  


What grip are you using? If your flipping Rocs without wind - especially new rocs, then you are probably putting to much torque on the disc and not enough rotation

[Jon Brakel]

Once perfected, it also should allow me to throw 400+ feet.

If one could honestly perfect the backhand throw, they would be able to hit a straw 650ft away, everytime..

Cannot be done!!  


What grip are you using? If your flipping Rocs without wind - especially new rocs, then you are probably putting to much torque on the disc and not enough rotation

What does it mean to put torque on a disc?

[Bruce Brakel]

By definition, if you put more "torque" on a disc, it rotates faster.  That is what torque is: a force that causes rotation.  

[D]

Pardon me, almighty Jon

While I don't fully understand why I'm responding to that, Let me correct myself to appease the Vice Pres...

He may be applying too much off-axis torque, which is having a negative effect in the rotation of the disc. I'm sure you knew what I meant but decided to be a lameo. It causes inconsistant shots/forces usually overstables discs to burn.

I know, because I did it alot before I climbed over the 900 mark

[Jon Brakel]

Pardon me, almighty Jon

While I don't fully understand why I'm responding to that, Let me correct myself to appease the Vice Pres...

He may be applying too much off-axis torque, which is having a negative effect in the rotation of the disc. I'm sure you knew what I meant but decided to be a lameo. It causes inconsistant shots/forces usually overstables discs to burn.

I know, because I did it alot before I climbed over the 900 mark

What is your problem, Diron? I did NOT know what you meant, that's why I asked. Perhaps Bruce can explain what off-axis torque is. It doesn't help my game to just hear words thrown out, I need to know what they mean also.

[shawn]

If he is haveing a "off-axis torque,"  not a word I hear everyday there are discs out there that will correct that, you will have to experiment to find one that works for you.

If you want to be a better bh player, do what Brett said...  work on throwing a putter straight... left and right.  You should be able to make a disc do what ever you want.  When you get the hang of it, you should be throwing that putter over 275 easily.  Move up to a midrange do the same thing and then go to drivers.

This is the fastest way to learn the game and learn what you do wrong.  

[Dan Michler]

If you torque off your axis too much you'll tear your peroneal ligament.  Careful out there!!    

[Guest]

You don't know what torque is, Jon?

Correction Dan

Tear the sheath which holds the peroneal tendon in place, doh

[D]

Doug

Check out - http://www.discgolfreview.com/resources/technique.shtml

Great site that offers some great information on how to improve your game

[damonshort]

I got yer off-axis torque right here...    

[Brian]

I'd have to agree with Shawn and Brett about using a putter to learn how to properly throw.   It's better to know how to get the desired shot you want as opposed to straight out distance.  

I had the same problems with Rocs and still do.   I've taken the easy way out and throw Spiders, since they seem to take more torque without turning over.  One thing that you can work on is attempting to slow down your arm speed, while still snapping the disc.  This is what I have noticed from playing with advanced/pro players who throw the Roc.  The only difference between a 100 ft. Roc shot and a 300+ Roc shot is their arm speed.  

Just keep practicing and you will get it.  

[Dan Michler]

if u have figured out how to throw accurately 275 feet, then i would like to know too.  please share.  i have been playing a while and have no clue.

[D]

I got yer off-axis torque right here...  

W-h-e-r-e?

 

[Jon Brakel]

You don't know what torque is, Jon?

Correction Dan

Tear the sheath which holds the peroneal tendon in place, doh

I thought maybe torque was the what caused rotation, so your first post didn't make immediate sense to me. I still have no idea what off-axis torque is. I'm always trying to learn about the mechanics of throwing.

[mirth]

by off axis torque do you mean the flutter or wobble sometimes seen on release of some drives?

[DougEDawg]

Thanks guys that's a lot of good advice.  I will work on throwing a putter with minimul off axis torque.  My first step will be to figure out what off axis torque is.

[D]

It's alot easier to show an example of off-axis torque. Or could just use common sense to figure it out, or even the dictionary!!

I asked Blake (wwww.discgolfreview.com) if he had any videos but he said no..

Sooooooooooooooooooooo

ax·is
   A straight line about which a body or geometric object rotates or may be conceived to rotate.

torque
 The moment of a force; the measure of a force's tendency to produce torsion and rotation about an axis, equal to the vector product of the radius vector from the axis of rotation to the point of application of the force and the force vector


I would bet money this is why your flipping Rocs