Wrist Shock

Yesterday, I switched to the X-step that I'm reading about all over the web from basically just wailing the disc from a stand still. My throws yesterday went from 100' to about 150'. That is on a small 9-hole course. Gaining 50' on the first throw and consistenly over the remaining 8 holes seems like a reasonable rate of progress.

But, the problem. :) I am stepping to the right and holding the disc up. I step with the left and am then facing backwards and have reached back with the disc. Then I step right and rotate everything back around and whip the disc out *straight* thru. This results in what looks like a karate move. I'm must be missing the follow thru because there isn't one. Just a "karate chop." Every throw results in a sharp shock feeling in my wrist that lingers.

Is there anything obvious that I am doing wrong based on this description?

Thanks,

LiquidDog

[sandalman]

just try reaching "thru" the point where you are projecting the disc. if you are snapping like that you are probably also stopping your body's forward motion. get that fixed (ie let your body move forward thru the throw) and you'll get another 50'.

since you used the karate chop analogy, think of breaking thru a cinder block. if you focus on hitting the block, you'll break your hand. but if you project your eneergy thru the block to a point under it, you'll smash thru the block.

same thing with a disc - dont throw to a certain point... project it thru that point

You have to follow through!! THis is the msot important part of the throw. You could get seriously hurt if you don't! After you throw, let your body go loose. Let your arms just swing through. Also, its ok to step off the tee pad after youve released the disc. I do it on every drive.

[circle_2]

Following through gives your body 'permission' to throw harder...as 'it' knows it will not hurt itself with the extra torque. You will likely not see the first 1/3 of your disc-flight...with proper follow-through.
.02

[rhett]

Your elbow will be the next to go with the "quick stop" method. Start rotating your shoulders all the way around at the end of your throw and let your arm follow them after release.

Yeah you'll throw some shots WAYYYYYYY right at first, but things get worse for a little bit every time you change your mechanics.

[gang4010]

Follow through is with your whole body. Generating a snap on the disc involves the rotation of your torso (hips and shoulders together) and a weight shift from the push foot to the plant foot. If you're not following through - it is likely that you are pushing off your plant (front) foot - back onto your push (rear) foot. This results in a lot of wasted energy - not being imparted to the flight of the disc.

Transferring your weight forward as you throw will help you follow through more naturally - it'll help you with the rotation you need from your body, make it easier on your joints, and you'll get another 100' out of your throw in no time. Like the others here are saying - step through the throw - think of it more like a dance move or a tai chi type fluid motion, than a karate chop that halts abrubtly.

Check the video study (http://disclife.com/dj020415a.shtml) of pros driving at disclife.com for proper form and follow through on the x-step. The videos of Brian Schweberger, Larry Leonard, and Mike Young are particularly helpful in showing the follow through.

[williethekid]

I dont use the "Quick Stop method" however im slowly developing pain in my right elbow, it seems when i whip i get a lot of torque but its lost in my elbow and not being transfered to my wrist. Any suggestions?
And yes I make sure to follow through accordingly

Thanks for the replies. I watched the videos and am going to try a few of the suggestions from here out tonight on a larger course. (18 holes and in a forest not a city park.)

I made it out to the course last night. The first few throws ended with the wrist shock. I think I am overpowering the disc anyway. My friend pointed out to me that I was throwing harder than anybody on the course, but my disc was going shorter than people that were using much less energy than me. I think there is *definitely* something to the previous comment that I am shifting my weight by pushing. That is definitely true. The muscles on the front of my legs are torn up this morning.

I am definitely having trouble seeing how to pull straight thru without there being a stopping motion at the end. I think wrong wrist position is also contributing to the shock feeling. I did notice when I would run up to the tee and then do the x-step, everything went smoother.

[Chris Hysell]

I have a G-Shock Wristwatch. It's solar.

Update: I went out tonight to a smaller course and tried a run up to the x-step. This helped me tremendously. I focused less on the motions and everything came together. I was throwing 100 yards and getting the disc where I wanted it with my brand new 167-169 gram XL.

I threw my first heizer today (I think it's a "heizer") with a left tilt on the disc with my brand new 175-176 gram MRV. The hole was behind some trees. It curved to the right and then curved to the left sharply and got within 20 feet of the target. This was from the tee! Obviously it was a short hole, only about 60 yards. Some of the holes are more like 120 yards thou. Anyway, I screwed up the putt on the heizer drive and only got par. :( I got two more 171 gram Aviar putters to practice putting. Now my only weakness to getting par is I am missing putts. I almost birdied three holes (I have never birdied) but always failed on the putt. I think the problem is me. Such is life. Early on today I was way overthrowing the target because I was not used to getting that kind of distance but I corrected that with amount of power in "the whip."

I'm now worried if 171 grams was the wrong weight to go on the putters. I'm kind of stuck with the decision since I have three now. I am also now having a problem with the XL and MRV curving to the right and then left in a elongated U-shape. The disc obviously loses some distance because of it. That's pretty small beans compared to my previous problem of not being able to throw anything over 50 yards.

Anyhow, pretty amazing stuff. I'm out-throwing my friend who has learned on his own for a year. I think it actually has created waves.

"The whip" is hard to get. Thanks again for the tips.

- LiquidDog

Side Note : I ordered the MRV and XL off the internet, and are not available locally. Innova stuff is what everybody around has. Hopefully my sudden improvement in technique and curious change in discs they can't find will mess with their heads and make them miss shots. hahaha