How To Throw A Frisbee Forehand (Easily)
In the world of disc golf and ultimate Frisbee, one throw stands out for its power, precision, and efficiency—the forehand throw, also referred to as the flick, the two-finger, or the sidearm. It is as elegant as it is effective, resembling the forehand stroke in tennis.
Mastering this throw can dramatically enhance your performance, whether you’re a novice just starting or a seasoned professional aiming to refine your technique.
This tutorial is part of our ultimate frisbee guide, which has a ton of other useful information for beginners.
A Comprehensive Guide to a Regular Forehand Throw
The Grip: Your Key to Control
- Begin by spreading your thumb, index, and middle finger wide, ensuring your palm faces upwards.
- Hold the disc in your non-dominant hand, logo side up.
- Carefully position the disc over the “peace sign” fingers.
- Fold your thumb over the top of the disc to secure its position.
- Fold your ring and pinkie fingers into your palm, resembling a loose fist.
- Push your middle finger towards your palm, pressing it against the rim of the disc.
- Keep your index finger straight, directing it towards the center of the disc to offer some support.
- To finalize your grip, apply pressure between your thumb and your middle finger. This firm grip will offer the control you need for a perfect throw.
For an alternative grip method, bring your index and middle fingers together for a power grip. This grip provides more force but could reduce control.
Positioning: The Right Stance is Half the Battle
A strong and efficient forehand throw requires a firm, grounded stance. Stand with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders, aiming towards the direction of your intended throw. Bend your knees a little—this not only helps maintain your balance but also aids in gathering power for the throw.
The Throw: Channeling Power and Precision
Begin by shifting the disc back with your dominant hand, transferring about 80% of your weight to your throwing foot. Your throwing arm should be near parallel to the ground. Progressively, move the disc behind your elbow, wrist bent backward, until your elbow points towards the receiver. This position allows you to generate maximum momentum for the throw.
When moving the disc forward, keep it angled about 10 degrees downward, parallel to the ground. Your throwing hand and arm should also maintain parallelism to the ground, with your non-throwing arm slightly behind you. Enhance the bend in your throwing foot, too.
To throw, flick your wrist as your throwing arm moves from the outside to your body’s inside—think the opposite motion of a backhand throw. The power flows naturally from the shoulder through the elbow and into the wrist, allowing the disc to spin.
As you release the disc, rotate your body—using your throwing side first, followed by your shoulders. To maintain balance, extend your non-throwing hand out and slightly behind you.
Avoid the temptation to flip your wrist, as you would while throwing a ball. Instead, keep your palm facing up towards the sky, ensuring the disc releases flat rather than flipping over.
The Follow Through: Perfecting Your Throw
After releasing the disc, maintain the direction of the flight path with your hand level, palm facing upwards. Keep your pinkie and ring finger slightly bent up. Maintain your focus on the receiver to ensure your disc travels the intended course.
The key to developing your forehand follow through is practice and muscle memory. Take some inspiration from these disc golf drills and find an empty field to practice!
Diversifying Your Forehand Throws:
The High Release Flick
The high release flick is essentially the same as a regular forehand throw, with a slight difference in the throwing action. Rather than throwing it at shoulder level, you release it above your shoulder, flicking your wrist and raising your arm on release. This technique is handy for getting around defenders.
The Low Release Flick
The low release flick is a forehand throw executed very close to the ground. To achieve this, lunge to the side you’re throwing on, sinking down as low as possible. Release the disc just inches from the ground—aiming to slide it under a defender’s arms. Your elbow should just barely pass your knee when you throw the disc. This throw requires some practice to master but is incredibly effective at all ranges.
The “Pizza Flip”
Mostly used for feigning, the “pizza flip” begins like a regular forehand throw. However, at the last minute, rotate the disc counterclockwise under your throwing arm, using just your middle finger to grip the disc. You then release the disc toward your dominant side. This throw can feel awkward initially but becomes second nature with practice.
As you familiarize yourself with these techniques, remember that practice is key. The more you train, the better you’ll become. And with mastery of the forehand throw, you’ll find yourself ahead in the game, outrunning, outthrowing, and outplaying your opponents.
Embrace the art of the forehand throw. It’s time to elevate your disc golf game to the next level. Remember, the power is in your hands—literally.
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