Disk Golf
“The Drive”
Preparatory:
· Disk Selection- determined by what throw you are attempting. Various disk sizes for depending on long distance, medium or short range throws. (Crowther and Potts, 2007)
· Head and throwing shoulder should always be pointed at the target
· Grip
Cue: Hold it like an upside down sandwich (So that four fingers are at the bottom)
o Grip with 4 fingers under the disk
o Firm grip but loose enough to allow free forearm and wrist movement
o Plan your intended throw
· Footwork (Locate your target and assess the distance, throwing foot out in front, weight on your toes) (Crowther and Potts, 2007)
Cue: “Big Papi” Baseball stance (Stand as a Left handed batter so throwing shoulder is in front, opposite if throw left handed)
Execution:
o Balance; center of gravity (Firm stance where weight is equally distributed, off balance throws can be made if not balanced.)
o Throw with “X-step”- The “X-step” consists of a cross over step followed by another cross over step into a hop where you release the disk) (Sultan, 2005)
o Stay light, quick and smooth on feet, avoid heavy steps by staying on your toes and not being flat footed
o Weight over your front foot
· Reach Back (Head on target, lead shoulder and foot facing target, shift weight on back foot, rotate hips) (Sultan, 2005)
Cue: Scratch your opposite shoulder
o Only as far as your comfortable with and maintain balance
o Reach in straight line
o Drives: Flat, hyzer (Curved to the right), and anhyzer (Curved to the left). (Professional Disc Golf Association, 2008)
· Pull Through (Head on target, begin to shift hips, pull arm towards the target, shift weight towards front foot)
Cue: Moving clothes in a closet
o Generate power (From legs and arm when reaching back)
o Should rotation should pull arm through
o Keep disk close to chest and bend elbow
o Off arm close to body during throw to let body rotate
Follow-Through: (Weight on lead foot, hips un-winded at target, throwing hand pointing at target, continue body rotation after throw until chest is toward target)
Cue: Point the gun
· Smooth and loose during first part of throw
· Clean pivot (Throwing foot)
· Rotating body after throw has been made
· Disk should be ripped out of hand rather than slip out
Modified Game:
High school Students: Modified disc golf game with smaller courses and a point system. Use bigger goals
Middle school Student: Throw disc with partner and have the partners move in different directions and ranges to get the throw movement down
Sources:
Crowther, W. J., & Potts, J. R. (2007). Simulation of a spin-stabilised sports disc. Sport Engineering, 10(1), 3-21.
Professional Disc Golf Association (2008, March 22). Retrieved February 12, 2009, from http://www.pdga.com/
Sultan, T. (2005). AT pLAY; In disc golf, stardom avoids you, and you avoid the salad bar. New york times, 6(10), 8.
“The Drive”
Preparatory:
· Disk Selection- determined by what throw you are attempting. Various disk sizes for depending on long distance, medium or short range throws. (Crowther and Potts, 2007)
· Head and throwing shoulder should always be pointed at the target
· Grip
Cue: Hold it like an upside down sandwich (So that four fingers are at the bottom)
o Grip with 4 fingers under the disk
o Firm grip but loose enough to allow free forearm and wrist movement
o Plan your intended throw
· Footwork (Locate your target and assess the distance, throwing foot out in front, weight on your toes) (Crowther and Potts, 2007)
Cue: “Big Papi” Baseball stance (Stand as a Left handed batter so throwing shoulder is in front, opposite if throw left handed)
Execution:
o Balance; center of gravity (Firm stance where weight is equally distributed, off balance throws can be made if not balanced.)
o Throw with “X-step”- The “X-step” consists of a cross over step followed by another cross over step into a hop where you release the disk) (Sultan, 2005)
o Stay light, quick and smooth on feet, avoid heavy steps by staying on your toes and not being flat footed
o Weight over your front foot
· Reach Back (Head on target, lead shoulder and foot facing target, shift weight on back foot, rotate hips) (Sultan, 2005)
Cue: Scratch your opposite shoulder
o Only as far as your comfortable with and maintain balance
o Reach in straight line
o Drives: Flat, hyzer (Curved to the right), and anhyzer (Curved to the left). (Professional Disc Golf Association, 2008)
· Pull Through (Head on target, begin to shift hips, pull arm towards the target, shift weight towards front foot)
Cue: Moving clothes in a closet
o Generate power (From legs and arm when reaching back)
o Should rotation should pull arm through
o Keep disk close to chest and bend elbow
o Off arm close to body during throw to let body rotate
Follow-Through: (Weight on lead foot, hips un-winded at target, throwing hand pointing at target, continue body rotation after throw until chest is toward target)
Cue: Point the gun
· Smooth and loose during first part of throw
· Clean pivot (Throwing foot)
· Rotating body after throw has been made
· Disk should be ripped out of hand rather than slip out
Modified Game:
High school Students: Modified disc golf game with smaller courses and a point system. Use bigger goals
Middle school Student: Throw disc with partner and have the partners move in different directions and ranges to get the throw movement down
Sources:
Crowther, W. J., & Potts, J. R. (2007). Simulation of a spin-stabilised sports disc. Sport Engineering, 10(1), 3-21.
Professional Disc Golf Association (2008, March 22). Retrieved February 12, 2009, from http://www.pdga.com/
Sultan, T. (2005). AT pLAY; In disc golf, stardom avoids you, and you avoid the salad bar. New york times, 6(10), 8.
