| The Backhand shot is crucial to having a powerful | | | | The Run Up (Advanced) |
| drive or tee-shot. Beginners may get frustrated | | | | The proper run up is called the X-Step or Three |
| learning the Backhand due to their lack of | | | | Step. This produces the most efficiency and |
| accuracy and distance. Hence, new players will | | | | power. It also beats the heck out of just launching |
| usually avoid using their Backhand like the plague. | | | | forward all willy-nilly and fighting the natural |
| This is a HUGE mistake because of the overall | | | | mechanics of your throw. Learning this is crucial to |
| power and accuracy that can be achieved by | | | | a good Backhand. (Note: I will describe this for |
| using this throw. I will admit, there is quite a large | | | | right-handers. All you southpaws, do what you |
| learning curve that makes the Backhand difficult | | | | always do and translate it) |
| to perform correctly every time but the benefits | | | | Take your first step to the right. Step out toward |
| of this powerful throw outweigh any difficulties | | | | the target at approximately a 45 degree angle |
| experienced mastering this technique. Like any skill | | | | with your right foot. Shift your weight onto your |
| worth learning, practice makes perfect. Do | | | | right foot as you step. How big a step is |
| yourself a favor and don't abandon your | | | | determined by what is comfortable for you. Focus |
| Backhand because it doesn't work for you | | | | on your target as you take this step. Start to |
| immediately. | | | | lifting your disc to about chest height. Your |
| There are 4 Basic elements to the Backhand | | | | second step is to your left. Place your left foot |
| Grip Stance Pull Back Pull Through Run up | | | | behind and past your right foot so it points |
| (Advanced technique - I personally do NOT | | | | directly behind you, 180 degrees or completely |
| recommend it for beginners. I know I just said | | | | opposite of the direction of the target. |
| four elements but the Run Up actually covers 2, 3 | | | | This will make your legs, hips, back and shoulders |
| and 4) | | | | turn. At the same time this is happening you need |
| The Grip | | | | to stretch back with your disc, still at shoulder |
| First and foremost, you need to use a "power | | | | level and shift your weight onto your left foot. |
| grip". In the power grip, your index finger is under | | | | You need to rotate your head with your |
| the rim of the disc and your thumb on top. | | | | shoulders, also taking your eyes off your target. |
| Resting the index finger on the outside of the rim | | | | No need to panic though, you already know |
| is called a "control grip". This grip will take away at | | | | where the target is located. You should now be |
| least 25% of the power from your throw, which | | | | reaching backward with the disc, with your back |
| is just fine for upshots or short drives but we | | | | turned to the target. Your third and final step is |
| want maximum distance off the tee pad in most | | | | the right again. Explode forward as you take this |
| cases. It might feel uncomfortable at first but | | | | step and release, allowing your weight to shift |
| stick with it. The results will speak for themselves. | | | | towards the target. Lift your right foot and plant |
| You should grip the disc as tightly as possible. The | | | | it forward pulling the disc back towards the |
| harder you grip, the farther you rip. | | | | target. You want to generate as much snap as |
| The Stance | | | | possible and have your weight OVER your right |
| I prefer to teach new players the Backhand | | | | foot as you release. Allow yourself to follow |
| without a run up. This technique is already | | | | through the shot. Remember to stay balanced, as |
| frustrating enough to learn without the added | | | | this will not only increase accuracy but power as |
| difficulties of running or stepping into the throw. | | | | well. |
| Learn the basics first, then add the run up later | | | | There are a few things to keep in mind when |
| on when you're comfortable using the Backhand. | | | | throwing the Backhand. You want to release the |
| This will also increase accuracy and you can apply | | | | disc flat. If the nose, or leading edge during flight, |
| this as an upshot later on. | | | | of your disc is up above the trailing edge, the disc |
| So, that said, line up your shot. Start with aiming | | | | will "stall." It will fly upward, slow quickly, and fall |
| your shot by pointing the shoulder on your | | | | short left. If you can see the top of your disc as |
| throwing arm at a spot on the fairway where | | | | it flies - then the nose is up. If the fairway allows |
| you want the disc to start its fade or turn. For | | | | it, you want to throw line drives with your discs. |
| simplicity, I'll refer to this as the target. Relax your | | | | Most discs fly best when thrown somewhere |
| knees and set your feet at a little past shoulder | | | | between 10 to 20 feet off the ground. Also, DO |
| width. Make sure to stay balanced. You should | | | | NOT get yourself in the bad habit of bending your |
| now be facing 90 degrees from your target or | | | | arm or curling it around the disc. I cannot stress |
| where you are aiming. | | | | this enough. Over and over again I see beginners |
| The Pull Back | | | | making this mistake and it takes a lot of work to |
| Keeping your arm straight, bring the disc back at | | | | cure this bad habit once it is locked in place. I |
| about chest height, stretching back as far as | | | | should know, I also fell victim to this when learning |
| possible. Keep your non-throwing arm away from | | | | the Backhand. Not only does this kill the force of |
| the body. This allows for better balance and | | | | your throw but in time it can also lead to injuries. |
| keeps it from interfering with your throw. Allow | | | | Let your shoulders, waist and legs do all the work. |
| your head and shoulders to turn almost | | | | Your biceps and triceps have next to nothing to |
| completely away from you target. At this point, | | | | contribute to this throw other than frustration and |
| your weight should be shifted almost completely | | | | pain. |
| to your back foot. | | | | Lastly, you can only learn so much from reading |
| The Pull Through | | | | about how to throw. You need to go to the |
| In one fluid motion shift your weight to your front | | | | course and PRACTICE. To get truly good at this |
| foot, turn your shoulders, head and hips towards | | | | shot, it takes most people anywhere from 3 to 6 |
| the target as you bring the disc forward and | | | | months of serious practice. Also, don't be afraid |
| release. You want to generate as much arm | | | | to ask local "Pros" if you can join them for a |
| speed as possible when doing this, thus creating | | | | round every once in a while. Watching them |
| more snap. The more snap you put on the disc, | | | | execute good throws is an invaluable learning |
| the more spin it has, causing it to fly further. Let | | | | experience. They also can watch your technique |
| the momentum of your throw carry your body | | | | and usually offer good advice to accelerate your |
| around for a natural follow-through. Simple, right? | | | | learning curve. |
| With practice it really is. | | | | Now, get out there and practice. |