(x-post from /r/discgolf)
Throwing a forehand with power behind it and keeping a neutral disc flying straight is difficult for a variety of reasons.
One of the biggest reasons for this in my opinion, is that a backhand throw typically generates more spin for the average thrower than a forehand throw.
The more spin you give a disc, the more true it will fly. Increased spin gives a disc the ability to resist wind better and hold any given line longer while resisting the nature of the disc, i.e. a lot of spin can make an overstable disc hold an anhyzer longer or an understable disc fight wind better. This is true for putts and drives.
Forehands are usually going to have more arm speed and less spin than the average backhand. I know that personally I can backhand a putter 350-400' without turn, but I often turn them over trying to flick them past 200'.
Even if you have relatively decent forehand form like I do, flicking neutral putters and mids is difficult to consistently do when you are talking longer distances.
Another reason is that many players naturally flick with some anhyzer and are not aware of what they are doing. Releasing flat or hyzer is a skill every player needs to learn with either throwing style they are using.
OAT also comes into play, as does wrist roll. When I first tried to throw forehand, the natural tendency for my wrist was to roll downwards as I was swinging through the release, which caused me to release the disc with massive amounts of anhyzer.
Regarding OAT, one of the easiest ways to cause it Is by attempting to throw the disc on X release angle, then following through on Y release angle. When I was trying to learn how to forehand a putter, my instincts told me to release with hyzer to help compensate for them turning over and my poor form. If you watch this video you will see me mess up multiple holes because I was attempting to flick with hyzer but following through flat, which caused the putters to come out with OAT and wobble. On two holes, 4 and 6 I believe, I follow through cleanly and I flick the putter without turn over 200'. So no matter what angle you are throwing on, you need to keep that angle throughout your throw or risk causing OAT. If you watch this other video you can see me deuce a 350' hole with putter flicks (#13). Pay attention to the drive, notice how I am throwing it relatively flat rather than hyzer, yet it still held true because I kept it on the same plane during the throwing motion. Also note the short reachback, which reduces the amount of arm speed in the throw which helps stabilize the disc. This is the reachback I use when flicking putters for upshots.
All of this applies to mids. I have flicked some neutral mids 300-330' (Axis, Buzz, seasoned Roc) yet typically disc up to a driver above 250' for consistency.
Carrying some overstable discs to have consistent and reliable forehand options (Especially in a headwind) is a smart move. Don't get too hung up on form that you limit your options. However, it is critical to work with neutral discs and slow discs if you want to have a good forehand. There is nothing terribly difficult about shaping basic forehand shots (hyzer, flat and anhyzer) under 100' with a neutral putter, under 200' with a mid, and under 300' with a neutral driver. Just know that sometimes you should throw the overstable disc (Wind, not throwing good that day, need a low skip shot, need a flex shot). They have their place. Practice with the neutral and even understable stuff to hone your form, but just know that because you flicked a buzz 250' on a rope one time doesn't mean you will do it every time.
Lastly I have an old forehand tips video I made that might explain things better than this wall of text does.
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Any thoughts? Feel this is true?
I've been reading this subreddit for a while, and it has taught me a lot about disc golf. That said, I still have a few questions about forehand shots. It seems like most people recommend overstable discs like the firebird or flick for forehand shots. From my own experience, I agree that these types of discs work better than more neutral discs which tend to just flip over unless you put a ton of hyzer on them. Is this due to OAT, or is it just easier to flip discs using a forehand drive compared to a backhand drive?
Also, I can get my Z buzzz to fly in a nice S curve with just a little fade if I release it on a hyzer angle on a forehand throw. It looks nice when I get it right, but there's a lot of room for error. Do you think something like the hornet would make it easier for a straighter flight with some fade at a flat release angle?
Throwing a forehand with power behind it and keeping a neutral disc flying straight is difficult for a variety of reasons.
One of the biggest reasons for this in my opinion, is that a backhand throw typically generates more spin for the average thrower than a forehand throw.
The more spin you give a disc, the more true it will fly. Increased spin gives a disc the ability to resist wind better and hold any given line longer while resisting the nature of the disc, i.e. a lot of spin can make an overstable disc hold an anhyzer longer or an understable disc fight wind better. This is true for putts and drives.
Forehands are usually going to have more arm speed and less spin than the average backhand. I know that personally I can backhand a putter 350-400' without turn, but I often turn them over trying to flick them past 200'.
Even if you have relatively decent forehand form like I do, flicking neutral putters and mids is difficult to consistently do when you are talking longer distances.
Another reason is that many players naturally flick with some anhyzer and are not aware of what they are doing. Releasing flat or hyzer is a skill every player needs to learn with either throwing style they are using.
OAT also comes into play, as does wrist roll. When I first tried to throw forehand, the natural tendency for my wrist was to roll downwards as I was swinging through the release, which caused me to release the disc with massive amounts of anhyzer.
Regarding OAT, one of the easiest ways to cause it Is by attempting to throw the disc on X release angle, then following through on Y release angle. When I was trying to learn how to forehand a putter, my instincts told me to release with hyzer to help compensate for them turning over and my poor form. If you watch this video you will see me mess up multiple holes because I was attempting to flick with hyzer but following through flat, which caused the putters to come out with OAT and wobble. On two holes, 4 and 6 I believe, I follow through cleanly and I flick the putter without turn over 200'. So no matter what angle you are throwing on, you need to keep that angle throughout your throw or risk causing OAT. If you watch this other video you can see me deuce a 350' hole with putter flicks (#13). Pay attention to the drive, notice how I am throwing it relatively flat rather than hyzer, yet it still held true because I kept it on the same plane during the throwing motion. Also note the short reachback, which reduces the amount of arm speed in the throw which helps stabilize the disc. This is the reachback I use when flicking putters for upshots.
All of this applies to mids. I have flicked some neutral mids 300-330' (Axis, Buzz, seasoned Roc) yet typically disc up to a driver above 250' for consistency.
Carrying some overstable discs to have consistent and reliable forehand options (Especially in a headwind) is a smart move. Don't get too hung up on form that you limit your options. However, it is critical to work with neutral discs and slow discs if you want to have a good forehand. There is nothing terribly difficult about shaping basic forehand shots (hyzer, flat and anhyzer) under 100' with a neutral putter, under 200' with a mid, and under 300' with a neutral driver. Just know that sometimes you should throw the overstable disc (Wind, not throwing good that day, need a low skip shot, need a flex shot). They have their place. Practice with the neutral and even understable stuff to hone your form, but just know that because you flicked a buzz 250' on a rope one time doesn't mean you will do it every time.
Lastly I have an old forehand tips video I made that might explain things better than this wall of text does.
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Any thoughts? Feel this is true?