i've read "distance improvers" talk about "accelerating the ELBOW ", not your hand. i think this may be MY problem holding me around 325. I understand the accelerating the elbow thru the snap part. my question is: Do i accelerate my elbow straight toward the target or around my torso as my hips and shoulders open up?
sometimes i feel as though i'm pushing my elbow out at the target window which makes my snap late and out in front of my body.
If i pull my elbow around with me it would snap/release earlier, correct?

thanks again for your time.

I am not sure I know what you are talkin about, but read the thread "Distance Secrets". This may help, cause there is a lot of technique on it. There are also other threads on this forum that will help, just browse around. If I think about it that much, I get hurt. Seriously...

Here is a better idea, cause I know you have read a lot of stuff on here. Go to disc golf review (http://www.discgolfreview.com ). There is a TON of stuff there. And you can ask Blake anything and he knows what he is talkin about, and he is humble too. Good luck. I know 325 is frustrating, but you can win with it if you can put it where you want it!!!!!

to clarify:

should i try to keep my elbow closer to my body or keep it out, in line with the target, as i throw through?

keeping in closer will cause the disc to release earlier, but with more snap...true? kind of forcing my torso to rotate more.

kala:

i think you may be misunderstanding the acceleration of the elbow. what they are referring to is to focusing more power/acceleration into the extension of the elbow and not the speed the elbow is moving. you will want to keep the disc close to your chest. both bent elbow and reach back techniques share the common characteristic that when the disc is kept close to the body, the elbow will bend. as you approach the rip point, the elbow will unbend. the rip point/snap occurs when the elbow finishes unbending (whether the arm extends to fully straight or to almost straight varies by thrower, their follow through, etc.).

yeah, i get/know how the elbow must extend for the rip point.
i guess my problem was i was keeping my elbow too high, cuz i practiced turning my hips back more and keeping my elbow lower throughout the turn and PRESTO !!! instantly added 20 yards to my drives.
With some more practice, i should be past this 325 plateau i ve been stuck at for a year.

thanks for everyone's help. it does make a difference.

kala:

elbow height really isn't that important but there are some general guidelines for utilizing elbow positioning during the backswing for various types of throws, e.g. higher elbow for anhyzers, lower elbow for hyzers, and making sure the elbow extension occurs on a plane parallel to the disc for maximum snap. i'm guessing that it was probably the hip turn that helped add the D/power.

One thing you have to realize is that all aspects of your throw must evolve together. Otherwise, you will most likely generate off-axis torque, which is peobably why your so frustrated right now. What most people don't know is that snap = timing. If you only up your armspeed, your timing may be off and you may get less distance. To maximize your own distance, you need to know your own limitations. Once youve maximized your current throw, you can start to build on it and expand.

If you feel your ready to grow, you have to realise that building long-term distance means you sacrifice distance now. Be ready to take heat from your friends now so you can have bragging rights later.

i've been throwing 'bout the same D as my friends already (325 ft). I've got good snap. i was just letting 'er rip a little too late within the process.
You're right though, once i got the timing locked in with my hip rotation my Distance has increased.
Now to fight the next problem: the new timing has caused my release to be a little left from before.
More practice and I'll be there with the best of 'em.
thanks again for the help.