Driving Question

[tazzmann]

I can get an ok range out of my Backhand (250-280' I am guessing) and about the same on my Forehand, however I have troubles getting the disc to 's' curve unless I put an anhyzer on it. I was told that if I got enough speed out of the disc, it should 's' curve on its own. Now, not all discs will do this naturally, but I am speaking of an Innova Sidewinder which has a turn rating of -3, a fade of 1 Speed of 9 and a glide of 5. When the disc is first thrown at speed, it should turn to the right and then as the disc and spin slow down it should gently fade to the left. However, I can throw it perfectly straight and get a MAJOR fade to the left. I can perform this same feat with a Valkyrie, Champion Monarch and others that I have tried. Am I just not getting the disc fast enough? I know I don't get a "snap" at the end of my throw and if I try to pinch the disc at the end of the throw before release, the disc either won't ever leave my hand, or it goes off to the right.

[Uhlman]

Having thrown a valk for a about a year now I too had this happen when I first started throwing it because I didn't have enough speed or was trying to overpower it. What weight are you throwing? I started with a 150 and have worked up to a 175. I get a very consistent ‘s’ curve with it now.

[Ol' Bob]

First, keep your follow-through smooth. I didn't, in an effort to get some added snap, and what snapped was my pectoral muscle's tendon where it attached to my sternum. It hurt like hell and cost me 50 feet of drive.

Henh. Don't worry, you'll be gettin' it soon. Accuracy first.

[Scott]

It sounds as if the discs are not getting up to speed. Try, as Uhlman suggested, lighter discs.
Also try different plastics. If your Sidewinder is Champion, try DX. It will beat in faster and give you that turnover you are looking for.

[tazzmann]

Sorry, I kept saying Sidewinder as that was what I WAS going to get, but ended up with a Roadrunner. My Valkyrie is a 175 and my son has a 150. I throw both the same. They fly EXACTLY the same. And both fly EXACTLY the same as my Roadrunner, and the same as my XD and.... well, you get the point. I got together with a friend of mine this weekend who has some other discs that I don't have and it different plastics and have the exact same results. I have a feeling that it is my technique, but not sure what. I have watched all the videos on-line and try to mimic what I am seeing and while my distance has slowly been improving (I think), it just doesn't seem to matter what disc I pull out of my bag, I can get them ALL to do the same thing, with one exception. My Buzz tends to fly the straightest and end the straightest. Even my putter which says it is rated at -1 and 1 turn/fade will go straight and then have a MAJOR fade to the left. Not slight, but major hook.

[Uhlman]

In addition, I am not sure how many molds you have in your bag but i would recommend starting with 3 molds and once you "know” how those molds fly then add one mold at a time until you have a well rounded bag. I currently have 7 molds in my bag but one mold in there is still in development and one is used in very specific situations.

[tazzmann]

Here is what I have in my bag. I don't have them with me, so not exactly sure on the weights on a a couple:

Valkyrie - 175
Roadrunner - 168
XL - 165?
Buzz - 166?
XD - 175?
XD - 170?

The ones I use constantly are the Valkyrie, both XD's and the XL. These get 99% usage, the rest are for trying different things, or practice throwing in the local park. I have used the Buzz a few times for some really straight shots through the trees. I use the Valkyrie for most "drive" shots and Tomahawk/Thumbers when needed. Generally, I will get through a round at Pier using nothing but my Valkyrie and XD's. At Glenwood I use my XL and XD's. Since they all fly exactly the same, I am not sure "what I'm getting used to", so up until now, that is how I have been playing.

[Uhlman]

Sorry, I kept saying Sidewinder as that was what I WAS going to get, but ended up with a Roadrunner. My Valkyrie is a 175 and my son has a 150. I throw both the same. They fly EXACTLY the same. And both fly EXACTLY the same as my Roadrunner, and the same as my XD and.... well, you get the point. I got together with a friend of mine this weekend who has some other discs that I don't have and it different plastics and have the exact same results. I have a feeling that it is my technique, but not sure what. I have watched all the videos on-line and try to mimic what I am seeing and while my distance has slowly been improving (I think), it just doesn't seem to matter what disc I pull out of my bag, I can get them ALL to do the same thing, with one exception. My Buzz tends to fly the straightest and end the straightest. Even my putter which says it is rated at -1 and 1 turn/fade will go straight and then have a MAJOR fade to the left. Not slight, but major hook.
That does sound like your release angle. In order to get the results you want in your discs flight paths you may need to sacrifice some distance until you get them flying how you want them too. I recommend lots of field practice. I have an hour lunch at work but it only takes me 15 minutes to eat so I spend the rest of the time throwing. Look for an open space near your work or home and throw at the same target every time. That has helped my game considerably. (don't forget mid-range & putting practice)

[tazzmann]

Ok. I practice almost every night at my local park. I can get pretty accurate shots if I take the time to compensate for the major fade and if I throw level, which I have gotten a lot better at. I don't mind sacrificing distance at the expense of getting the flight path I want, but it just seems to me that I am putting an anhyzer on the disc to get that flight path. Now, I have no way to video tape myself, so I can't watch myself and what I am doing, so that makes it even harder. I have spoken to runnaman about some lessons on the 24th so, hopefully, he will be able to see what I am doing and help me out. I was just trying to get a feel in the mean time about what I could be doing wrong, or if it were simply under-powered shots. :D

[ChUcK]

It's entirely possible that your definition of 'major fade' is not the same as mine.

[Parks]

You probably are throwing with a significant nose up angle (front edge of the disc is facing upward).

There are a few major things that need to happen to help get that nose down, which will increase the turn a little and reduce the fade a lot.

Make sure your wrist is angled down in the "handshake" position when throwing.

Make sure your upper body weight gets transferred over your plant foot, especially when pulling the disc across the chest and after.

Pull the disc close to your chest. Getting out too far from your center of rotation makes it hard to get a good pull.

It could be something else, but its really hard to tell without seeing your drive.

[tazzmann]

I often wondered about the nose up. I know that will kill you distance by a little to a lot and my disc does go up slightly during flight, so that may be a portion of it. I will have to test that out. I have never really paid much attention to where the disc is when I pull it across my chest as I am too focused on turning and trying to keep the disc going where I want it, but that may be something else I will need to focus on for a while until muscle memory kicks in.

Thanks!

[Uhlman]

something else you might want to try that helped me is to break down your throw in to its basic parts. first conetrate on how and when your disk is leaving your hand then work backwards from there.

[Ol' Bob]

Ok. I practice almost every night...

Hey, that's cheating!

All right, who told him the secret?

[Uhlman]

Hey, that's cheating!

All right, who told him the secret?
:slapface:

[tazzmann]

Yes. Yes. I am a cheater! :nahnah: