I’m not a form dork.
But almost exclusively, I disc golf with them …
They’re obsessed.
First, let me make a few things VERY clear:
- Item No. 1 – My backhand form isn’t horrible.
- Item No. 2 – It’s far from perfect, though.
- Item No. 3 – You can ignore me.
- Item No. 4 – I’m no expert.
So, with that sizable grain of salt, here goes nothing …
It’s not that the pursuit of Drew Gibson-esque form is wrong – if he can do it, you can get there. It’s just that I’ve seen the journey cause more harm than good for a number of disc golfers.
For starters, when perfect backhand form becomes the goal, en route to making it happen, disc golfers often scratch what IS good about their form. Because if the entire backhand product isn’t a spitting image of a younger Will Schusterick after 15 minutes, might as well start over, right?
Don’t do it.
Second, the more you screw with the form you already have, the easier it is to get in your own head – I’ve made this mistake before. The biggest jump I ever took in backhand distance came from engaging my hips for the first time. I ran with it, and it worked. After that, in an attempt to reach a near-impossible distance overnight, I cut what felt right and tried to mimic Paul McBeth.
It didn’t work, and it took weeks to get my confidence (and hips) back …
Dumb decision.
And lastly, when form is the be-all and end-all of your disc golf experience, the first thing that fades is the fun that brought you to the sport to begin with. No, this isn’t always the case, so if you’re into the science of flight, keep at it – the rest of us need something a bit less cut-throat.
My advice?
Focus on one thing at a time.
One afternoon in a field won’t lead to a Cale Leiviska backhand – or a Jeremy Koling forehand, either. Besides, though it might not be perfect, most of what leads to above-average backhand form isn’t flawlessness – it’s the slow, mediocre (that’s it) execution of five things:
- Focus No. 1 – You need an X-step.
- Focus No. 2 – You need to engage your hips.
- Focus No. 3 – You need to lead with your elbow.
- Focus No. 4 – You need to pull through on a single plane.
- Focus No. 5 – You need to follow through at the end of your throw.
* Note: This is largely a backhand post, but for your flick, it’s a similar concept – click here.
Without Ezra Aderhold-levels of athleticism, armed with the above, you can hit 400 feet.
But again …
ONE. BY. ONE.
The most talented pros check all of the above boxes with their backhands, but they make ‘em happen differently. Paul Oman is sloth-like. James Conrad is at a track meet. And for as freaky-good as he is, Nate Sexton’s backhand is mechanical – it’s clearly a learned skill.
Stick with the basics – they work.
As long as you’re playing (and practicing) consistently, it’ll get there.
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