I was watching some driving technique videos on YouTube and one of the pro's recommended starting your approach with your back turned, then spinning into your normal release.

Is this a pretty standard practice? Any other long distance tips?

I line up with my back to the target when I throw rollers. The only person I know that lines up with his back to the target for air shots is Brad Hammock. It works for him.

there are alot of player that for an instant during their reach back that their hips,back,and head are turned away from target.
with practice this allows for a longer reach back without loosing control.
early while learning this technique it is quite possible to spray drives all over kingdom come.
however once practiced this method will add substantial distance with less effort.

I start off with my feet almost 180 degrees back from the target aiming with my shoulder. My back is turned away then when i move foward the 2nd step of my X Step my hips,back and head are backwards away for the target. This closes the hips and alows you to generate more power from your core. Remember the Hips pull your Shoulders which pulls your arm thats pulling the disc then exploed. Try not to pull the disc until the last second Let your body pull in a natural way Hips,Shoulder,Arm,wrist,then disc. Just the way it helped me and I get cleaner releases now when I excute this right. JMO a good place to go and read on things like this are www.discgolfreviews.com alot good info there about the whole sport