Practice question

[lko102]

Quick question relating to my practicing, specifically, driving. In an effort to break down the drive mechanic into its separate components, I started driving this year by eliminating any footwork/run up and working on arm/shoulder/chest rotation for my driving a la Dan Beato videos. I'm now at the point where, from a planted position, the drives are landing at a consistent 230'-250'.

Generally speaking, and from your own experience, is the about the limit for distance from a stand still without involving a cross step or any run up? The reason I ask is I would like to know if, in your opinion, this seems about right and it may be time to add some footwork to break through to the next level of distance, or should I be able to throw much further at this point, and should address upper body form and issues (snap, follow through, etc) before adding to the situation with footwork...

[sidewinder22]

Thats decent from a stand still, I'm sure some people can throw it further but its about average. I'd say you should be ready to move on to the X step.

[mashnut]

Before you go to a full x-step, you might find it beneficial to add one step at a time while concentrating on doing all the upper body things you've been practicing. I think this would add fewer variables at a time and make it easier to figure out any problems. JMHO.

[Neophyte]

First of all that is pretty good from a standing position. Second, I agree with mashnut. It would probably work out best in the long run if you go from a completely stationary position to a one step rather than put in the X-Step and the run up at this point. I think you will be surprised how quickly this becomes muscle memory.

[lko102]

That is kind of what the plan was, start working back from the release, again, a la Beato adding in one step at a time. I just wanted to make sure that the 220'-250' was a good number for a stand still before I moved on.

[mashnut]

IMO you're fine at that distance, as long as you're consistently hitting that distance with a reasonable amount of accuracy. Seems like you're on the right track to me.

[lko102]

It's reasonably accurate, most of the time *grin*

The first tee at my local course is 230' I can sit and drop most shots within about 15' on a good day, and 30' otherwise. If I'm going for distance and just using the pin as a marker, I can consistently put them 20'-40' behind the pin, so I use the low number to try and figure out my maximum consistent distance.

[solomon.trenton]

Thats decent from a stand still, I'm sure some people can throw it further but its about average. I'd say you should be ready to move on to the X step.

agreed

[War Eagle]

I can throw from a stand still 245- 270. So that sounds good. I throw on a football field and only once in a while can I get it from the endzone to the other endzone.

[NatiBuckeye]

From someone who has and is still doing the same thing i suggest moving to a 1-step or a 1 step plus hop or another variation before an x step. Adding the X step tends to make me and others i know lose focus on technique if added to fast.

[zbyrd]

How long have you been practicing the stand still throw? It seems so simple, but I guess it is a matter or repetition so that motion feels like the natural way to throw. I'm trying to relearn the backhand, but I tend to get impatient and use the entire motion, xstep and all. By merely using the Beato style of pulling my arm across my body, rather than swinging it, I have gained distance and consistency. I do, however, want to maximize my gains while relearning the RHBH style.

[BrotherDave]

I would do a ton of crystal meth and then practice for like 3 days straight. J/K, PCP is better.

[lko102]

How long have you been practicing the stand still throw? It seems so simple, but I guess it is a matter or repetition so that motion feels like the natural way to throw. I'm trying to relearn the backhand, but I tend to get impatient and use the entire motion, xstep and all. By merely using the Beato style of pulling my arm across my body, rather than swinging it, I have gained distance and consistency. I do, however, want to maximize my gains while relearning the RHBH style.I've been doing it for about a month or so now. I played all last year predominately forehand, as my backhand sucked and I had a lot more distance and accuracy with it. Starting this year, I wanted to really focus on developing my backhand so I had both shots, and watched the Beato video and started from there.

[garublador]

I'd say to start adding steps and see what happens. If, by the time you've gotten back up to the full x-step you aren't satisfied with where you are you can try to diagnose what's wrong and start over. Being able to throw starting from any of those steps (from no steps to a full x-step) is a really useful skill in itself. It allows you to power down without taking anything off your finish.

[ShortBusDiscGolf]

just keep in mind that sometimes less is more.

[ShortBusDiscGolf]

like, i dont have a huge run up but i can still crank it well over 400'. i tell people all the time that it's more technique and less strength.

[ShortBusDiscGolf]

....though being strong helps......

[BrotherDave]

....though being strong helps......

Would that be retard strength going by your nick ^?

[zbyrd]

So, I've been working on this too. However, I have simply practiced the beato form as a whole, x-step and all. Doing it from a stand still is really difficult for me. Anyway, my question is about which discs to use. I only practice form with aviars and midranges of varying stabilities (1 kite, 1 shark, 1 roc). I've always heard "Throwing mids will show any issues with your form." So is practicing with those a good idea, or should I be using drivers?

[lko102]

I don't really know...I've been throwing what people have generally recommended a beginning player use. Some valks, sharks, leopards. I will also grab a stack of putters and throw those, as someone on the course said that will show poor form or problems as well. I've been getting a lot better with the putters too, they were pretty wild starting out, but I can drive them 220' now and usually just as accurate or more so than the mids I use.

[joegraham]

Make sure on your standing still throws that you are reaching back and looking back far enough to get a full throw. This will definitely add distance if you're not doing this yet. USE DRIVERS. Get to know 'em. Then, add one step into the throw and again reach back far enough. Then do an X-step and step forward and throw, then use three steps. I use 4 steps and end up using about 12-14 feet because my last two steps are progressively faster and longer. the X-step allows you to reach back and look back to get maximum whip action in your arm. It's hard to replicate that on a standing still throw as I assume you are looking at your target and not reaching back far enough. Reach back and pull through like you're starting a lawnmower.

[BrotherDave]

To be honest I don't like doing field practice with just putters or mids and not drivers. I like to mix it up, warm up with the mids and putters and then end the session with drivers. Focusing solely on midranges seems to make my driving game suffer a bit, kind of the same way practicing my putting only makes my driving get rusty and vice versa. Gotta go for the all around game.