I started RHBH and stayed that way for 4 years. Last year I really started toying with side arms just so I could have them for out of trouble shots. Then I wanted to get more distance for holes that are RHFH friendly. After a year, I can safely say that I have confidence in my side arm off the tee for up to 325-340 foot drives. Here are the things that helped me get there.
1.) I started with stable discs first. I knew from learning backhand on overstable first that learning understable and stable plastic is the best way to start. Once I could control the flight with form over power, I started stepping up to the overstable plastic. That way I knew I wouldn't have to roll my wrist over to achieve distance.
2.) I didn't try any sort of run up. Just one step at first. That way I knew I wasn't adding any variable to my throws. All the distance and accuracy I was achieving was from form (or lack there of). It helped me develop a level release to my throw as I was less concentrated on throwing hard and more concentrated on throwing clean. Once I could achieve decent distance I started with a slow run up. At this point, I still don't have a running run up for my sidearms. I feel that it add's (at this point in my development) too many variables that sacrifice accuracy and consistency for maybe 40-50 extra feet of distance. I'll take in the fairway and 40 out over 15 feet and in jail any day.
3.)I found my sidearm grip of choice. Everyone was telling me different ways to grip for a sidearm. People said 2 finger was better or 1 finger was better etc... I tried everything and it took awhile (3 months) till I figured out which grip was best suited for me. For any distance or up shot, it's the traditional two finger grip. If I'm throwing rollers, it's a one finger grip. I found the 2 finger fan grip was no more accurate than my 2 finger grip. As for the power grip, I had no success with it at all. Find the one that is best for you and make it feel as natural as your backhand grip feels. That way, your know your not thinking about it on the teepad. You are just doing.
4.) Field work. Lots and lots of field work. Like I did with my backhand, I threw every disc on every angle to figure out what discs would work best for me. I now don't have to guess at what I might think will work best for a hole, I know what will. That is, of course, if I throw that disc correctly.
5.) People always say play with people better then you. This goes with learning new techniques as well. If you have friends or somebody you know has a much better side arm then you, play with them. Pick their brains and watch them throw. It's amazing what watching somebody's good form can do for yours. This can be a double edged sword. Try to realize what is good form and bad form and stop paying attention to the bad. Incorporating other people's bad habits into your game only causes woe and frustration. In with the good and out with the bad.
6.) Lastly, challenge yourself. Go play rounds only sidearm. I have a different best score for each course in my area depending on how I decide to play that day. A P.B for backhand only, sidearm only, and mixed. Got a friend that can't throw backhand but can throw wicked forehands? Challenge them to play a round all backhand while you play all forehand. I did this with my buddy who had a monster sidearm but the backhand of a newborn. By the end of the summer, he had developed a good clean backhand that he felt confident in and I had developed a sidearm that I felt confident in. The best part was it was fun since I wasn't the only one out of their element. It made failing more enjoyable because you could be sure that your friend was in the same sort of boat. You'll always retain more information when you are not frustrated.
Phew, that was a lot of words.
