This thread has been really helpful for me and I appreciate all the contributions.
I think I have had a few aha moments of understanding some things like the relationship of the spine/chest to hips that RandyC has hit on. I always assumed that the X-factor was this separation created by spine rotation but can see now that I can rotate my shoulders more through contracting my right pec and left lats and traps but that my rib cage/sternum pretty much stay with my hips. The X-factor is kind of an artificial rotation in this regard.
The pros in the numerous gifs on this thread (thanks SW and Rodeo) clearly show to me that the hips are getting into a locked position 30 to 45 degrees off target line and keeping it there in the backswing which is really just the final step. The run up is just there to give you some more energy to put into the brace but what is important is getting the hips into a position at that angle relative to the target at the end and keeping it there during the backswing.
Like Rodeo, I have been getting my hips/shoulders more perpendicular to the target early in the backswing and then spinning them back. This spinning feels much more athletic to me and probably is a more athletic motion, but that doesn't mean the results are better. It feels like my brace is stronger when I spin but I definitely plateaued with that approach. It has also resulted in some hip pain inside my right side as I think my spinning makes your hips work harder and puts a lot of torque on that joint.
It is difficult to go from spinning to sliding at an angle but I've been working on it and have quickly had great results. I've only been working on this for a while but have gone from hitting 350 consistently with occasional pops out to 380 with my shryke, to now hitting 370 consistently with more occasional pops out to 400 with my wraiths. That may not sound like much but it is huge for me to know that I can throw my 9 speed drivers 350 now. What is weird is that it feels less athletic and when I get to my disc I am surprised that it went so far. Hitting 400 with my wraith the other day on a throw that really only popped to flat without much turn was crazy for me. I assumed it was a 360 throw but got out there and was 50' passed the 350 mark.
The best part is knowing that usually such a drastic change results in a distance loss at first as my body becomes acclimated. I feel like once I get this muscle memory dialed in, I actually can make more progress which I haven't for a while.
Rodeo, I get where you are coming from. I got into this game late too at 40, and have been playing for 2 years now. It feels like an uphill battle and race against time knowing I'm already over a decade past my prime and getting older every day. I think you are like me in that you are a little obsessive and want to keep improving, especially knowing it is a race against the clock. It is hard to make a change that feels like its moving backward at first and less athletic a motion. I mostly play with guys from a league I'm in who are 10-15 years younger than me and I like being able to throw further than almost all of them and don't want to lose anything. For me at least though, the results speak for themselves. Honestly, I think it is impressive that you are hitting 350 a few months in. I have friends that have played with me for 2 years and still are throwing shrykes and terns on anhyzer to get a flex out to 320. I would encourage you to have a little bit more of an open mind on the concepts explored here and patience in knowing that sometimes it can feel like you have to take a step back to progress.
Anyways, thanks to everyone contributing here. This thread is my homework for the winter.
I think I have had a few aha moments of understanding some things like the relationship of the spine/chest to hips that RandyC has hit on. I always assumed that the X-factor was this separation created by spine rotation but can see now that I can rotate my shoulders more through contracting my right pec and left lats and traps but that my rib cage/sternum pretty much stay with my hips. The X-factor is kind of an artificial rotation in this regard.
The pros in the numerous gifs on this thread (thanks SW and Rodeo) clearly show to me that the hips are getting into a locked position 30 to 45 degrees off target line and keeping it there in the backswing which is really just the final step. The run up is just there to give you some more energy to put into the brace but what is important is getting the hips into a position at that angle relative to the target at the end and keeping it there during the backswing.
Like Rodeo, I have been getting my hips/shoulders more perpendicular to the target early in the backswing and then spinning them back. This spinning feels much more athletic to me and probably is a more athletic motion, but that doesn't mean the results are better. It feels like my brace is stronger when I spin but I definitely plateaued with that approach. It has also resulted in some hip pain inside my right side as I think my spinning makes your hips work harder and puts a lot of torque on that joint.
It is difficult to go from spinning to sliding at an angle but I've been working on it and have quickly had great results. I've only been working on this for a while but have gone from hitting 350 consistently with occasional pops out to 380 with my shryke, to now hitting 370 consistently with more occasional pops out to 400 with my wraiths. That may not sound like much but it is huge for me to know that I can throw my 9 speed drivers 350 now. What is weird is that it feels less athletic and when I get to my disc I am surprised that it went so far. Hitting 400 with my wraith the other day on a throw that really only popped to flat without much turn was crazy for me. I assumed it was a 360 throw but got out there and was 50' passed the 350 mark.
The best part is knowing that usually such a drastic change results in a distance loss at first as my body becomes acclimated. I feel like once I get this muscle memory dialed in, I actually can make more progress which I haven't for a while.
Rodeo, I get where you are coming from. I got into this game late too at 40, and have been playing for 2 years now. It feels like an uphill battle and race against time knowing I'm already over a decade past my prime and getting older every day. I think you are like me in that you are a little obsessive and want to keep improving, especially knowing it is a race against the clock. It is hard to make a change that feels like its moving backward at first and less athletic a motion. I mostly play with guys from a league I'm in who are 10-15 years younger than me and I like being able to throw further than almost all of them and don't want to lose anything. For me at least though, the results speak for themselves. Honestly, I think it is impressive that you are hitting 350 a few months in. I have friends that have played with me for 2 years and still are throwing shrykes and terns on anhyzer to get a flex out to 320. I would encourage you to have a little bit more of an open mind on the concepts explored here and patience in knowing that sometimes it can feel like you have to take a step back to progress.
Anyways, thanks to everyone contributing here. This thread is my homework for the winter.
