I've been working on my sidearm shot a lot recently. Up until now I haven't really used that shot much because I didn't feel comfortable with it, but I finally buckled down and practiced until I got it down.

Right now I'm driving sidearm on holes less than 300' that require a fade to the right. I find that shot more predictable than trying to get a less stable disc to hold a good anhyzer line.

I mostly use a Champion TeeBird, or occasionally a Champ. Orc. It seems that most of the folks I see with good sidearm shots are using an overstable disc like a Firebird or something similar.

I'm guessing this is because a sidearm throw generates a lot of spin and less stable discs would turn over. Right? I don't think I could ever turn over my T-Bird, so is there something else that makes overstable discs better for sidearm shots?

Should I try a different disc or two?

What is your sidearm "go to" disc?

--D

My understanding is that sidearms shots actually generate less spin than a backhand shot and that's why they tend to turn over easier. It seems to me that a disc that's spinning faster would have more angular momentum and would be harder to get it to turn or fade, kind of like how it's hard to tip over a spinning gyroscope.

Either way, I think most people throw overstable discs sidearm for two reasons:

1) They are compensating for that extra turn most people see when they throw sidearm.

2) They only throw sidearm when they really want the disc to go right.

Othewise, I'm not sure there's any different reason to use discs that are more overstable than what you're using now. At least I haven't found a reason.

I agree exactly with those two reasons.

Most people find it easy when you first learn the forehand/sidearm/flick/two-finger/etc. (whether a newbie or veteran) to use an overstable disc with a flick (what I call it) since it makes up for bad form. I can throw an overstable Firebird, Extreme, CFR Viper, and some others as hard as I can with a flick, and they don't turn completely over. It's bad form, since you'd throw better having put more snap into it (generating more spin), but the second reason given...that you REALLY want it to go right, is dead on. I can get an anhyzer in there if it's a soft right, but HARD right is very difficult with an anhyzer.

Also, when there's a chance of me hyzering off too far from the sweet spot in the fairway with a backhand, and it's short enough I can throw a forehand, I'll do it then also. It DEFINITELY helps your game. Five most crucial shots to learn (IMHO), in order of importance, are:
1. Backhand (for driving, upshots, and putting) - 70% of your shots.
2. Forehand (for driving, upshots, and escaping the shule) - 10% of your shots
3. BH Roller (for driving distance, with a low ceiling or lots of trees) - 10% of your shots
4. Thumber (short, tight shots that have ceiling gaps, and escaping the shule) - 7% of your shots
5. FH Roller (Trick shots, tight shots, driving with opposite finish than Backhand, and escaping the shule) - 3% of your shots
Obviously these aren't set in stone, but it's roughly what I use them for, and how much I observe other good players use them.

If you learn to throw it with a TB or Orc, you'll throw it better than most people, and farther too. You'll be somewhat ambedextrious, which definitely will help you get to more holes.

My understanding is that sidearms shots actually generate less spin than a backhand shot and that's why they tend to turn over easier. .



Not true. The sidearm generates more spin than a backhand. Much more. Spins like a dentist drill.

It is a good idea to experiment with different discs, as they will do different things. The orc is my go to driver when I throw sidearm - I can get maximum distance (350+) with just a slight tunover shot. However, when I first started throwing sidearm I loved the valkyrie. The valkyrie seemed to be very easy for me to control at first - but with some practice I started turning it over too much. The beast is another good sidearm disc - great for long straight shots with a fade at the end, and a beat up beast is perfect for a long anhyzer shot.

I am not a fan of the firebird or monster as sidearm drivers, but that is just me. Also, some people swear the flick is the best sidearm disc, but I can not get good distance or accuracy with it.

midranges can be good sidearm discs too (depending upon the hole). I would recommend a storm, buzz, spider or cobra.

What is your sidearm "go to" disc?

--D



Right now, it's a champ beast for me - 280' to 300' but I am a beginner so take my advice with a grain of salt. I too used to really like the valk but the same thing happened to me, too much turn over. I've only thrown it one or two times but a champ teebird my daughter has seems to work as well. Imo I think learning to throw sidearm far with backhand is very useful. I can take an overstable disc and use it on either a dogleg left or right.

Just my $.02 worth...

-DaveB

Thanks everyone.

I went out and threw in a soccer field yesterday and could pretty much throw the Champ T-bird and Champ Orc the same. The Orc just had a little more fade. My Champ Valk was turning over when I flicked it full power so I could use it for a long sidearm turnover shot, but I'll probably just stick to a backhand anhyzer line in that situation.

I'll pick up a DX Firebird next week and see what kind of hard fade I can get with it. I need to add a more overstable disc to my bag anyway for backhand hyzers.

My understanding is that sidearms shots actually generate less spin than a backhand shot and that's why they tend to turn over easier. .



Not true. The sidearm generates more spin than a backhand. Much more. Spins like a dentist drill.



I think this is really dependent on the throwers technique. One of the main contributers to the disc turning over when people throw sidearm is lack of spin.

One of the reasons the sidearm skips past the target so often is, when it lands it's still spinning so fast.

My understanding is that sidearms shots actually generate less spin than a backhand shot and that's why they tend to turn over easier. .



Not true. The sidearm generates more spin than a backhand. Much more. Spins like a dentist drill.



I think this is really dependent on the throwers technique. One of the main contributers to the disc turning over when people throw sidearm is lack of spin.



I'm gonna have to go with Frisbee on this one.

Since when does a disc turn over when you put LESS spin on it. Go to discgolfreview and read some of that stuff. It SHOULD answer your questions before someone gives you the wrong info on here.

Spin is dependent on technique, but is a red herring when talking about why discs turn over. Discs turn over for three reasons: off axis torque, disc characteristic, and nose position. The third reason is the most often ignored. It is much easier to come over the top of a sidearm (and bring the nose of the disc down), than it is to come over the top of a backhand. Nose up shots can make an unstable disc look fairly stable. Nose down shots, (especially when thrown with off axis torque) can make a fairly stable disc look unstable. Backhand and sidearm shots are identical as far as a disc is concerned.

Yeah. Discs spinning slower doesn't make them turn over more anyway. It's a red herring.

I like to throw a 175 champion Viking for sidearm straight shots. I can throw one approximately 300 feet and tail off right with some decent accuracy. The Orc and Starfires are also nice discs for sidearm, but none of them are very overstable, so it's important to throw a controlled shot and not just flail -- like you can with a firebird or monster or whatever.

The best article about throwing sidearm that I've come across was by Conrad Damon a few issues ago in Disc Golf World News. His information gave me a lot to work with (since I don't have giant hands like Scott Stokely).

You can throw any disc sidearm. Any and every disc goes fine with a sidearm. No problem.