First Time Form Critique

[servedonled]

Hello,

I have been playing for about two years and have lurked around this forum for form tips, along with youtube videos. I have found the regular posters on here very helpful, and I am grateful that this supportive community exists.

Yesterday I was out playing and I got some videos of how my form is currently looking. I realize that I have three things to work on: 1) shifting more weight into my heel, 2) getting the disc further into my chest (power pocket) before driving/turning my upper body through the shot, and 3) making my reach-back consistently higher and straighter. I was hoping I could get some pointers to work on these issues, as well as find out if I am missing anything.

Here are the links (I couldn't get the uploaded in slow-mo, so please use the youtube settings to slow it down to .25 playback!):

https://youtu.be/CaaJIzFoeK4
https://youtu.be/3fK7d2m1xrs
https://youtu.be/fWzbaQFcm2o
https://youtu.be/C8mJ0CsxE0g


In addition to the form critiques, I am interested in thoughts about how I should be practicing to correct my form flaws. I have seen some advice on here to focus on one thing at a time. Is this the prevailing wisdom (i.e. go out for three fieldwork sessions and just focus on a higher/straighter reach back)? Or is there a school of thought to try to shape everything up at once?

Also, should I be throwing only standstill shots, one step, full x-step, or a mix of the three to work on form.

Any other practice tips would be useful. Right now I am just going out and throwing putters and mids at a ski poll that I stick in the ground, and work on just throwing flat and smooth right at it. I keep it up until I'm tired.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[slowplastic]

You're trying to "shift in front" right now, and everything in your throw is set up for that. It'll be a complete conceptual change, so I don't really think describing a practice routine or things like that is really appropriate because first you need to understand/feel what the difference will be.

I recommend reading through here and the various links, as well as the one leg drill. https://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127477

Right now imagine the back of the teepad view, and pause yourself at max reachback. Draw a line vertically at your spine. You are trying to put all your weight and speed to the left of this line/spine. You are pushing your left shoulder to the left, your left arm, and driving your rear hip to the left. There is nothing on the other side of your spine, so there is essentially just speed moving clockwise and no counterweight on the other side of your spine to provide leverage. Once you start the throw off your rear foot, that's all you're going to get. Also from the side view of the tee, your spine stays aligned with the rear hip/femur...there is no transfer onto the front leg.

The point of the shift from behind stuff is to get your spine onto your front leg by transferring your lower body as a counterweight onto the front foot. The front hip will clear back, and that will start the throw. The one leg drill will show you how it feels to throw with your spine over the front leg...now you are throwing the the spine pushing from the rear leg. Then some drills and descriptions linked in that thread illustrate the shift from behind stuff in several ways.

Definitely ask for any clarification or different ways to understand it here, but my point is the throw will start much differently than you are doing now, and it's going to be about providing leverage for your arm rather than speed being thrown forward.

I do recommend a mix of standstill and step/walking throws, if you can't throw from standstill then the steps won't help. But too much standstill and you may miss out on the tempo of a throw...also sometimes adding in a walk or run up or hop can help you feel the rhythm better.

 

[sidewinder22]

Agree with SP. Your throwing stance is way open, need to close up/turn back the front side at the plant. Also check Power of Posture and Crush the Can/s.

https://www.dgcoursereview.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119328

 

[servedonled]

Thanks so much slowplastic and sidewinder22 for taking a look. I see what you are pointing out, and will start working to "shift from behind" and close off my stance.

I tried it today, and it definitely feels totally different than what I have been doing. I instantly noticed the improved balance at the end of the swing, and the ability to stand up on the front leg rather than falling forward.

I'll keep at it for a few weeks and track my progress with videos.