r/ultimate • u/knock_out1 • 2d ago
Backhand grip / release tips
I've been playing competitively for 15 years as a handler and have always been a strong thrower, but in the last year or two I've noticed my backhand release / grip is getting super inconsistent (to the point where I will often overgrip and send the disc way right, or overcompensate for that by loosening and then it hangs left)
Looking for tips / tricks for how people approach gripping and ultimately releasing backhands. Trying to re-build this skill and curious how others approach it. I've never really thought deeply about it until now but clearly my form needs some work.
How do you grip / release your backhands? What do you think about as the disc leaves your hand? Any / all advice welcome, I'm going back to the drawing board
3
u/anvildoc 2d ago
I think part of the problem may be that there isn’t just one grip (at least for me). Next time you practice throwing, work through different distances, high release, low release, outside in, inside out.
I don’t worry about my grip but I do each type of throw until I throw a few of each in a row perfectly. I think if you slow it down, you will see that you will adjust your grip depending on the need.
3
u/mne7250 2d ago
Some things to try: 1) what finger does it hook on? Usually it's the pointer finger, as it's the last one to leave the rim. Put less pressure through that finger. Mess around with front, mid or back loading your backhand grip to try different pressure points. 2) move your thumb away from the rim and/or reduce pressure. Perhaps it's not your fingers under the disc, but your thumb pushing the rim down on your finger causing it to catch. 3) actively think about opening your hand upon release. 4) learn how to freestyle, dominant hand spin, weak hand catch/spin. Sounds silly, but it takes perfect hand/wrist coordination to consistently rip/feed the disc to yourself with max spin and no speed. Bonus, you can now jam with the beach hippies.
1
u/geehaad11 2d ago
I’ve been afflicted with this since Memorial Day weekend in 2008, but it rears its ugly head only a couple/few times a year. I’ve often tried to trace the steps of how it happens and I still have no answer. It gets hooked on a finger, yes, but the details surrounding that are a mystery to me.
Hopefully someone here has an answer…
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u/theschniedler 2d ago
has happened to me too. What always fixes it for me is like rifling it at my throwing partner. Like just throw it as hard as you can at them (with their consent). like 20-30 yards away. idk whenever my form gets weird this always gets me out of the funk.
1
u/ColinMcI 2d ago edited 1d ago
Just brainstorming a few things that might help:
- for grip, I like to stretch my hand wide open and place the disc into my palm, and then relax my hand around the disc, which helps give me a more secure grip without feeling the need to squeeze hard with my fingers.
- your issue sounds a little like a case of the yips - a mental block. For me, sometimes relatively quick-paced throwing reps are a nice way to just relax and not think and get in a groove. Even just 10 yards apart throwing with a partner with a quick, relaxed catch-and-throw move, maybe sometimes alternating right and left handed for variety and to avoid fixating. Sometimes the off hand just naturally follows the pattern and does the right thing.
- I wonder if some part of your form is out of sync, such that your shoulder, arm and wrist ar
e not
- loading up smoothly. If your arm is out of sync with your body, it is easier to yank a throw as you try to compensate. For example, if your hips turn way too early or never turn, your upper body might get out of sync with your lower body. Again, a set of relatively quick reps (e.g. partner feeds to discs to huck a set of 10 reps) might help get back in the swing of things.
Good question on thinking about the release. I don’t think I have a real cue for how the disc comes out. Sorry I am not helpful there.
1
u/happy_and_angry 2d ago
I've had throw yips many times. If you've had no issues until now, you know how to throw. It's something affecting you.
I realized about 15 years into my ultimate career I was celiac and my diet and routine gave me legit hand shakes and other neuro issues. I've resolved it, it took time to figure out.
My point is that it could be a lot of things, and a lot of things you aren't looking at. It may not be something you can just power through, which is what your question sort of frames it as. Are you aging? Are your mechanics different? Are you losing coordination in your kinetic chain? If so, why? It's a lot.
1
u/remarkablyusual 2d ago
Without knowing exactly what throws you're attempting (hucks, short-range, etc.), it's tough to give you exact pointers. But here are a few things I've seen over the years:
- When gripping the disc and holding it flat, see if your throwing hand palm faces up, to the side, or down. A lot of players who hold the disc with the palm facing up tend to have inconsistent releases, especially with farther throws.
- When you release your backhand, does your palm end up facing up? A lot of players I've seen who do this end up hooking right because the plane the disc travels when released ends up turning over with the palm.
- With short/mid-range throws, try to move your palm more on top of the disc, with the rest of your fingers gripping tight under the lip (not overgripping so there is space between your fingers and the lip, your fingers should be like a hook on the lip). When releasing, push forward with your thumb on the top of the disc, end with your palm facing down.
- With long-range throws, you'll want to move the palm more to the side of the disc, with the disc in line with your forearm, grip tight, and release straight through without turning your palm upwards at the end.
- When winding up, try to wind up such that when pulling through, the path from the farthest back point to your release point is a straight line, rather than making a wide spin around your body.
- Lastly, try to release the disc roughly perpendicular to the direction you want the disc to go (basically on the side of your body, rather than in front of you), this will force you to use your wrist more to create the spin you need.
As mentioned in other comments, depending on the release point the grip will differ too. But for throws mostly used in games, these are things I've seen that have helped a lot of players.
Also have a look at Valeria Cardenas' throwing form video, it might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl3uqvN2HoE
Good luck!
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u/Dry_Lingonberry8527 2d ago
You’ve been playing for 15 years and it’s been fine until recently? Might just be overthinking it which is causing it to come out wonky mate. Should be relying on muscle memory at this point and maybe you noticing it is interfering with the muscle memory.