Shorter tee-pads, what is your approach?

[Jason Philips]

I have had this question for a while and I wanted to pose this question after I played a quick round over at Lunchtime. I have a long stride and throw using an x-step. When throwing on say any of the short pads at Lunchtime I end up overstepping the end of the pad by at least half of my shoe. I find that if I leave a back foot off the pad I focus too much on ensuring it is going to clear the concrete and it affects my throw.

Does anyone have any advice to throwing on shorter pads? I know I will run into this on occasion and would like to be able to overcome this obstacle.


*And before the comment comes up I threw both long and short pads today.

[Uhlman]

I have this issue too and I find that starting five large backward steps and one step to teh right (for RHBH) from where I want to end up on the tee pad, regardless of whether or not I am on the pad usually works for me. That is unless I can’t go any further back due to topographic limitations.

[Jason Philips]

I think the only real solution other than drastically re-working my run-up is to throw from behind the pad.

[Uhlman]

I have this issue too and I find that starting five large backward steps and one step to the right (for RHBH) from where I want to end up on the tee pad, regardless of whether or not I am on the pad usually works for me. That is unless I can’t go any further back due to topographic limitations.
Kind of like a left-footed place kicker

[Uhlman]

I think the only real solution other than drastically re-working my run-up is to throw from behind the pad.
The biggest thing (for me) is to not worry about the transition from one surface to another. You can also practice the run up a couple of times too before you throw or before the round if it’s a tournament.

[JMan]

I use a three step, just start out of the box if it's short. Using the same style all the time really helps in the dark, as well as the fairway.

[runnaman]

If you use a 4 step approach like I do (Right foot, Left foot, x-step, throw) then I would suggest having your first step off to the side. This is what I do on short pads.

[Karl Hungus]

Hole 14's short pad at White River in Auburn is a good example of this tricky shot...It drops off a lot behind and in front. I've got long legs and if I don't groove my steps just right I could plunge off pretty easily and land hard. I've also had some success on this hole just using a standstill or a one step with a less stable disc and releasing on a bigger hyzer. This seems the most consistent, at least when the basket is short.

[Jonesy]

approach from down wind so it doesn't get spooked

[HarrisonH]

I say we all drop money into the box at Lunchtime when we can so they can afford longer pads. They frustrate me every round I play there, as do the baskets. Rumor spread my way that there might be Mach 3 Baskets on the way there sometime, can that be confirmed or is it just rubbish?

[Mikk]

Agreed Karl t-pad 14 at WR is sketchy. This is why I started using a 1 step drive. this works well with a star katana, valk, orc, putter on hyzer. I have seen people do a step-up onto the pad but if you miss your last step your going to have a nasty fall.

[cefire]

I think the only real solution other than drastically re-working my run-up is to throw from behind the pad.

I don't have any pointers but was going to say that when the teepad is defined, as in concrete, I don't think you can throw from behind it. Only when there is no back edge defined can you take extra footage behind to throw from...

[Scott]

I don't have any pointers but was going to say that when the teepad is defined, as in concrete, I don't think you can throw from behind it. Only when there is no back edge defined can you take extra footage behind to throw from...

That's probably true for tournament play. For casual play, you can throw from wherever you want.

[Flatroc]

Does anyone have any advice to throwing on shorter pads? Have you tried to just stand there, put your weight back, step and throw. You might not need any X-step or run up. I relate it to baseball as if you were batting left-handed. You put your weight back on your left foot and step into the pitch swinging level. Follow through with your left foot as needed. Hit line drives!

[HarrisonH]

Have you tried to just stand there, put your weight back, step and throw. You might not need any X-step or run up. I relate it to baseball as if you were batting left-handed. You put your weight back on your left foot and step into the pitch swinging level. Follow through with your left foot as needed. Hit line drives!

I am glad you just reminded me to do that... when I first started playing I thought to throw this way since it was the only way I could relate, but since then so much reading online and talking to others about pure disc golf form has made me forget about incorporating simple stuff like this that comes naturally from playing baseball as a kid. Cheers.

[JMan]

I don't have any pointers but was going to say that when the teepad is defined, as in concrete, I don't think you can throw from behind it. Only when there is no back edge defined can you take extra footage behind to throw from...

rules check...Gawain...never heard you had to Start within the T if the back was defined. I guess my work as a BSF starter just got more punitive...I wonder how Climo is going to take my reminding him he must start within the box. And Brit, you're hosed...

I do believe you are mistaken here, while I do believe you must T somewhere within the box, not behind, or beside, I doubt it is mandatory you start in the box.

[Scott]

rules check...Gawain...never heard you had to Start within the T if the back was defined. I guess my work as a BSF starter just got more punitive...I wonder how Climo is going to take my reminding him he must start within the box. And Brit, you're hosed...

I do believe you are mistaken here, while I do believe you must T somewhere within the box, not behind, or beside, I doubt it is mandatory you start in the box.

I think he is talking about throwing behind the box. You are talking about starting behind the box but releasing within the box.

[DexterHawk]

Actually I'm pretty sure that the rules say you have to tee off from within 6 feet of the front of the pad... on concrete or off... I think it would be hard to write a rule that forces you to tee from the "official" box...

My advice is to re-work your stroke so you only need 3 steps! I did this about 3 years ago... I lost almost no distance and I am much more consistent and accurate as a result. I'm 6'4'' and I take big steps... I sometimes have to start from off of the back of the pad with one foot on and this can be problematic if there is a big step up to get on the pad, but most of the time I don't have much trouble. In extreme situations I set up to take only the last two steps of my X step starting with my right foot sightly forward, crossing my left foot behind and then stepping with my right into my throw... this version I can do in about 3 feet

[Jason Philips]

I think the two steps or single step might be an effective means of shortening my steps and keeping me on the pad.

[Jason Philips]

And when I walk through my throw I am using a 3 step x-step. On a regular pad I can start near the back and have plenty of room.

Other than just going to a field and practicing (Already have plans to), what can anyone recommend to shortening to a 1 or 2 step approach?

[Mikk]

ok for a RHBH drive 1 step, align your right shoulder towards the direction you wish to throw. Keep bolth feet planted, then lean back on your left foot and slightly raise the right foot. This places your upper body inline with your left leg. at the same time reach back with your right hand as far as possible. as you begin your drive you can do either of these 2 things, 1- stomp with your right foot and drive at the same time (difficult but more power). 2 place firmly (no stomp) your right foot and then drive. #1 gives me better distance, #2 gives me better acuracy- more so with hyzer bombs. I use style #2 for hyzer drives on Hole 15 red at white river dgc. I have 3 aces with this style at different courses throwing hyzers as well as super acurate mid-range drives.

[Jason Philips]

ok for a RHBH drive 1 step, align your right shoulder towards the direction you wish to throw. Keep bolth feet planted, then lean back on your left foot and slightly raise the right foot. This places your upper body inline with your left leg. at the same time reach back with your right hand as far as possible. as you begin your drive you can do either of these 2 things, 1- stomp with your right foot and drive at the same time (difficult but more power). 2 place firmly (no stomp) your right foot and then drive. #1 gives me better distance, #2 gives me better acuracy- more so with hyzer bombs. I use style #2 for hyzer drives on Hole 15 red at white river dgc. I have 3 aces with this style at different courses throwing hyzers as well as super acurate mid-range drives.


I will try working on this and report back with how it goes. Thank you!

[Eric Olson]

Lunchtime ... Rumor spread my way that there might be Mach 3 Baskets on the way there sometime, can that be confirmed or is it just rubbish?
I call rubbish

[General Scales]

Faragut has a few tiny pads. I usually take a one step delivery. I will take a step like I'm driving and do this a few times till I know my lead foot will hit its mark. Then I take my breath and let it rip.

[Uhlman]

I experimented with using a shorter tee pad today (I love working next to a wheat field and parking lot lines that are exactly the same distance apart) and was shocked with my results, considering that I haven’t thrown very much lately, just by using the X-step approach. I think the economy of motion of the 3-step approach coupled with a powerful snap and good follow through actually allowed me to archive some of my furthest and more accurate throws to date. I know I had some bad habits I needed to shed and I think the 3-week break I took from throwing was exactly what I needed.

[Jason Philips]

Well, got my chance to try a shorter step today and it worked but definitely needs work. My muscle memory is freaking out and it feels like trying to do a foxtrot when all you know is the waltz.

I found that I was throwing too high but my distance was still comparable to the my usual style. I also was having timing issues releasing the disc.

I think with more practice it will get better.