How to Throw a Backhand Disc Golf Drive: A Beginner’s Guide

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How to Throw a Disc Golf Backhand

Disc golf is a challenging and rewarding sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. One of the most important skills in disc golf is the backhand throw. This is the most common throw in disc golf, and it’s a great way to get started in the sport.

In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about throwing a backhand disc golf disc. We’ll cover the basics of the throw, as well as some advanced techniques. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to throw a backhand disc with confidence and accuracy.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!

Step Instructions Image
1 Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your dominant hand behind your back. Hold the disc with your fingertips and your thumb on the inside rim.
2 Step forward with your non-dominant foot and swing your arm back. Keep your elbow close to your body and your wrist straight.
3 Unleash your arm and release the disc as your arm comes forward. Keep your wrist straight and your elbow close to your body.

Grip and Stance

The grip and stance are two of the most important factors in throwing a backhand disc golf shot. The grip you use will determine how much control you have over the disc, and the stance you take will affect your balance and power.

Grip

There are two main types of grips used in disc golf: the power grip and the modified power grip. The power grip is the most common grip, and it is what most players use for their drives. To use a power grip, hold the disc with your thumb on top and your fingers wrapped around the rim. Your index finger should be on the inside of the rim, and your middle finger should be on the outside.

The modified power grip is a variation of the power grip that is used for shorter shots. To use a modified power grip, hold the disc with your thumb on top and your fingers wrapped around the rim. Your index finger should be on the inside of the rim, but your middle finger should be off the disc.

Stance

Your stance should be shoulder-width apart, with your feet slightly turned out. Your weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. Your knees should be slightly bent, and your back should be straight.

Practice

The best way to improve your grip and stance is to practice. Start by practicing with a putter. Once you have mastered the grip and stance with a putter, you can move on to midrange discs and drivers.

Tips

  • Keep your grip loose. A tight grip will make it difficult to release the disc properly.
  • Keep your elbow tucked in. A flared elbow will cause you to lose power and accuracy.
  • Follow through with your throw. Don’t stop your arm after you release the disc.

The Backswing

The backswing is the second most important part of a backhand disc golf shot. The backswing sets up the rest of the throw, and it is important to get it right.

Start with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight evenly distributed. Your knees should be slightly bent, and your back should be straight.

Hold the disc in your power grip. Your thumb should be on top of the disc, and your fingers should be wrapped around the rim. Your index finger should be on the inside of the rim, and your middle finger should be on the outside.

Step forward with your left foot (for right-handed players). Your weight should shift forward onto your left foot.

Swing your arm back behind you. Your arm should be extended behind you, and your elbow should be slightly bent.

Keep your wrist straight. A bent wrist will cause you to lose power and accuracy.

Pause at the top of the backswing. This will help you generate power and accuracy.

The downswing

The downswing is the third most important part of a backhand disc golf shot. The downswing is what actually propels the disc forward.

Begin the downswing by rotating your hips. Your hips should rotate forward, and your weight should shift back onto your right foot.

Follow through with your arm. Your arm should swing through the target, and your wrist should snap forward.

Release the disc at the end of the follow-through. The disc should release from your hand at the same height as your shoulder.

Tips

  • Keep your arm close to your body during the backswing. This will help you generate power and accuracy.
  • Keep your wrist straight during the backswing. A bent wrist will cause you to lose power and accuracy.
  • Pause at the top of the backswing. This will help you generate power and accuracy.
  • Rotate your hips through the downswing. This will help you generate power.
  • Follow through with your arm. This will help you generate distance.
  • Release the disc at the end of the follow-through. This will help you achieve accuracy.

3. The Release

The release is the final step in the backhand throw, and it is crucial to get it right in order to achieve a good distance and accuracy.

To release the disc, simply extend your arm and let go of the disc. As you release the disc, your wrist should be turned over so that the disc is facing up.

It is important to release the disc at the right time. If you release the disc too early, it will not have enough speed and will not fly very far. If you release the disc too late, it will have too much speed and will likely turn over.

The best way to find the right release point is to practice. Experiment with different release points until you find one that produces the best results.

4. Follow-Through

The follow-through is the final part of the backhand throw, and it is important to do it correctly in order to maintain your balance and momentum.

To follow through, simply continue to swing your arm through after you have released the disc. Your arm should finish in front of your body, with your hand at shoulder height.

It is important to keep your balance during the follow-through. If you lose your balance, you will not be able to throw the disc as far or as accurately.

The best way to practice your follow-through is to record yourself throwing the disc. Watch the video and see if you are keeping your balance. If you are not, make adjustments until you are able to follow through without losing your balance.

The backhand throw is one of the most basic and important throws in disc golf. By following the steps in this guide, you can learn how to throw a backhand disc with power and accuracy.

Here are some additional tips for throwing a backhand disc:

  • Keep your arm relaxed and loose.
  • Don’t grip the disc too tightly.
  • Swing your arm through in a smooth, fluid motion.
  • Focus on your target and release the disc at the right time.

With practice, you will be able to throw a backhand disc with ease and precision.

How do I grip a disc for a backhand throw?

The most common backhand grip is the “power grip.” To grip a disc with a power grip, place your index finger and middle finger on the inside rim of the disc, with your thumb on top and your ring finger and pinky finger on the outside rim. Your grip should be firm, but not too tight.

What is the proper stance for a backhand throw?

The proper stance for a backhand throw is with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Your weight should be evenly distributed on both feet. Your front foot should be turned slightly to the left (for right-handed throwers) and your back foot should be straight.

What is the proper arm motion for a backhand throw?

The arm motion for a backhand throw starts with your arm extended in front of you, with the disc in your power grip. As you swing your arm back, your elbow should stay close to your body. At the top of your backswing, your arm should be fully extended behind you.

To start the forward swing, your elbow should be the first part of your arm to move. Your arm should then continue to swing forward, with your wrist unhinging and your disc releasing at the end of your reach.

What is the proper release point for a backhand throw?

The release point for a backhand throw is when your disc is at the height of your reach. Your disc should release with a slight upward snap of your wrist.

What is the proper follow-through for a backhand throw?

The follow-through for a backhand throw is with your arm extended in front of you, with your disc finishing on your opposite shoulder. Your weight should be shifted forward onto your front foot.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when throwing a backhand disc?

Some common mistakes to avoid when throwing a backhand disc include:

  • Griping the disc too tightly. This can cause the disc to fly erratically.
  • Not keeping your arm close to your body during the backswing. This can cause the disc to turn over.
  • Starting the forward swing with your shoulder instead of your elbow. This can cause the disc to come out of your hand on an angle.
  • Releasing the disc too early or too late. This can cause the disc to fly too high or too low.
  • Not following through with your throw. This can cause the disc to lose power.

How can I improve my backhand throw?

There are a few things you can do to improve your backhand throw:

  • Practice regularly. The more you practice, the better your form will become.
  • Get feedback from a qualified instructor. An instructor can help you identify and correct any flaws in your form.
  • Videotape yourself throwing and analyze your form. This can help you identify areas where you can improve.
  • Experiment with different grips, stances, and arm motions. Find what works best for you and stick with it.
  • Be patient. It takes time to develop a good backhand throw. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep practicing and you will eventually improve.

In this comprehensive guide, we have discussed everything you need to know about throwing a backhand disc golf throw. We covered the basics of grip, stance, and release, as well as some more advanced techniques. We also provided tips for beginners and troubleshooting advice for common problems.

We hope that this guide has helped you to improve your backhand disc golf throw. Remember, practice makes perfect! So get out there and start throwing!

Here are some key takeaways from this guide:

  • The backhand is the most common disc golf throw.
  • A good backhand grip starts with your thumb on the inside of the rim and your fingers on the outside.
  • Your stance should be shoulder-width apart with your feet slightly turned out.
  • The release should be smooth and effortless.
  • Practice makes perfect!

Author Profile

Matthew Woods
Matthew Woods
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