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Throwing a frisbee is a tricky concept, and several people struggle to master the art. This blog post will walk you through every step in the process of how to throw a frisbee forehand, from grip to release, and everything in between.
Contents
How to Throw a Frisbee Forehand
The following are steps for throwing a frisbee forehand;
1. Grip
Place both the index and middle fingertips on the inside bottom rim. Then, the outside rim rests in between your ring and pinky fingers. Use a four-seam grip with all your fingers curving around the outer edge of the disc.
Stretch out your arms while gripping to get a nice, full wind-up. A tighter grip will produce a faster disc speed, which will help you get more distance and accuracy. A looser grip will slow down the Frisbee and increase its accuracy significantly.
2. Hold
Place the frisbee either in front or directly above your right hip (for a right-handed forehand). Hold your arm out at a 45-degree angle, bend your elbow to about 90 degrees, then let the disc hang down by your waist.
In a punching motion, thrust the disc forward as if you were throwing a punch. Extend your gloved hand to release it at about shoulder height.
3. Release
Try to release the disc at shoulder height. This should be about where your throwing arm is when you’re waiting for it to reach the top of its arc. Make minor adjustments to get it right if you need to.
You might want to experiment with pointing your index finger up, down, or even extending it to get the right feel. Swing the disc back and then forward and let go, pointing your thumb away from you. Release it at a point where it’s almost parallel to the ground.
4. Follow-Through
As you release the frisbee, keep your arm straight and be sure to “load up” for another throw. Flex your elbow while withholding tension with your shoulder after a throw. It is advisable for your hand to stay still until reaching its peak height without pointing downwards.
If it’s pointing down, the disc will shoot downwards shortly afterward. The follow-through should be much the same as a bowling motion, with a straight arm and palm facing down. This will give you the necessary lift.
5. Practice
Finally, practice makes perfect. Don’t only major in how good your technique is or how much you know about the game. Take some time out for a few throws each day, and soon it’ll be as natural as breathing.
6. Repeat
Repeat Steps 1-5 until you’ve perfected your game.
Extra Tips
If you’re feeling adventurous, try these additional steps for an extra special touch:
- Once the disc is at its apogee (highest point), twist your wrist so that it twists further than 90 degrees – about 180 degrees.
- As the disc starts to descend after reaching its height, keep rotating your wrist in the same direction to keep the disc spinning.
- When the arm is parallel to the ground, let go of the frisbee and try to keep it spinning. The Frisbee will still fly through the air however it may wobble a little bit – don’t worry, this is all part of becoming a pro.
With regular practice, you might be able to control the frisbee even after releasing it.
What to Keep In Mind When Throwing a Frisbee Forehand?
Power
Even the most petite players can throw some serious heat with enough practice. Some of the best ultimate frisbee players have relatively small wingspans. However, it is essential first to ensure your elbow is lifted high to hit those all-important power angles.
Flexibility
The more flexible your arms and wrists, the higher your chances of improving your throwing. If you’re not flexible, stretch as much as possible, for example, you can do some splits. Keep the number of splits to the minimum to avoid pulling a muscle.
Aim
It’s great to know how to throw a forehand properly. However, if your aim is off by even a few centimeters, you’re going to miss catching that frisbee. It is important to have a good view of your target before throwing so you can aim accordingly.
Angle
Don’t forget that even small changes in angle can make big differences to where your frisbee lands. Think of it as the difference between throwing a paper plane and throwing a dart. Both require different angles for an optimal flight.
Bend Your Knees
When throwing, make sure you bend your knees slightly, just like an athlete would. This will give you more power and stability, as well as stopping those muscles from getting tired.
Stretch
Starting your sporting routine with stretches is good for your joints, muscles, and you’ll also be able to throw farther and more accurately if you do this beforehand without needing too much steps. Stretching can come before warming up to avoid you spraining something.
Relax
Don’t forget to relax your arms, legs, and hands before throwing the Frisbee. Tensing muscles wastes energy, which may result in dropped catches or, worse, pulled muscles.
7 Qualities of a Good Frisbee Thrower
| Quality | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Good endurance | Can play for a long time |
| Agility | Can quickly catch and throw frisbees |
| Focus | Can keep their eyes and mind on the frisbee |
| Motivation | Can improve daily |
According to a 2014 research, about 32% of the respondents consider Ultimate Frisbee a sport. Therefore, there are qualities to look for to be regarded as a good player;
- An excellent forehand thrower.
- Can play Frisbee at a competitive level for an extended period.
- Great concentration and focus on their target when throwing or catching the disc.
- They should have a good catch and release techniques.
- Very fluid in motion with an outstanding balance when using both their offensive and defensive skills
- Great speed and fast playstyle.
- Always working on their game to better themselves as a player and their team as a whole.
Related Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to throw a frisbee.
How Do You Throw a Frisbee Further?
To throw a frisbee further, you need to focus on your footwork and your balance as you throw it. Your footwork will allow you to position yourself and maximize the momentum at which you can throw the frisbee.
Why Does My Frisbee Wobble?
If your frisbee is wobbling as soon as you throw it, it may be because your wrist and fingers are not correctly positioned. If your fingers are not lined up with the trajectory the frisbee will follow, the disc will wobble.
Can You Curve a Frisbee?
Yes, you can make a frisbee follow a curved trajectory. In order to do this, you need to throw the disc at a 45-degree angle. By doing this, the frisbee will curve from right to left, or vice versa depending on how you threw it.
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics of throwing, check out this helpful video from Brodie Smith on how to throw a frisbee forehand shot. This is great for beginners who are looking to improve their form and become better players. Good luck and have fun.
