Ok, I read many of Blake's articles on Discgolfreview and the have been very helpful. Now I'm trying to narrow down a few other things before I play again today. I've had a stutter step problem lately and I think I'm trying to overthink my throw. I am throwing RHBH. Should my first step be with my left or right foot? Should it not be something like step, step, hop, fire?

Also, I think I have found a problem with my release. I dip down before I throw so I can get my body into the throw, however, I think I am releasing the disc nose up because I am dipping my front should down and then I pull it up when I release. Shouldn't both of my shoulders stay parallel to the ground at my point of release?

One final thing: I was reading about the grips and see that the disc should stay parallel to my forearm. Does my wrist need stay straight, or can I turn the disc in towards by body when I'm bringing it back. Any suggestions appreciated.

Hey ROCkstar,

I am currently working on improving my run-up - I've been doing it wrong for so long that it's difficult to change.

What helped me most was to go back to basics and find my stand-still power release. *I put my back to the target, with all of my weight on the back foot then swing through with a weight transfer and follow through.*

Once I found my 'sweet spot' for power release I tried to build my run-up to get me into position for it.

So, my best advice is to find your power swing and realize where you are for it - then work backwards. Good luck.

well said girlie!!!! I will try that as well..

as for the x-step, the main things are that the last 3 steps of your approach are the x-step (leading stutter steps are fine if you are in control) and those steps go right, left, right.

i agree w/ what girlie said. work w/ a stationary stance and figure out the motion of your hips for maximum power, then add the x-step to make that more powerful.

as for the shoulders, this becomes a little more complicated. taht dip you are talking about will lead to a nose up release. generally, you'll want a pure release where the pull and follow through are consistent with the angle of the disc plane. that is to say, it's less important on the shoulder orientation, more important on the way the shoulders open. if you think about the line that would go straight across your shoulders when they are level... your follow through angle in relation to that level line should be equal to the disc plane angle. e.g. 20 degree hyzer angle should have a follow through that is 20 degrees above level for a "pure" release and the pull through should keep everything going on that plane. for this to happen the right shoulder will start a little lower and finish a bit higher, but if this height change occurs over the right plane/timing it will not lead to nose up issues.

as for the wrist, i recommend keeping it neutral. you can adjust it but it can lead to timing issues.

hope this helps

I had never thought about the shoulder plane on throws, but it rings true once I think about it. It also might help explain some of the problems I'm having lately.

it's less important on the shoulder orientation, more important on the way the shoulders open.


Blake, I think you've hit on something that needs elaboration. I'm trying to teach my friend (primarily forehand thrower) how to throw backhand and found that the analogy of the lawnmower cord 'pull' to be lacking. When I get a good 'hit' (375+ ft, which took months to get down and sometimes disappears at the worst possible time ) I feel that my shoulder actually pops back under my chin and enables the arm whip to start from the shoulder. I think the x-step/hip turn actually helps to 'throw' the shoulder into this position but doesn't add much to the actual power of the throw; I've seen throwers start from a standstill yet still get this shoulder 'dislocation' and rip it 400+ feet. Is there a way to reliably and safely teach this technique? Does it only come with months of training? :confused: I almost want to tell my friend to grab some rocks and practice pulling em but I'm worried about the potential for injury... :(

Pulling Rocks is a bad idea!
Pulling Rocs is a good idea!
:D

not sure what kind of "dislocation" you are talking about...

step with your right foot. then left behind right. plant and fire