User:Joshua Kyle Briggs/sandbox/

Forehand (Ultimate)
The forehand (flick, sidearm) is one of the most common throws found in the flying disc sport ultimate. Although its definitive origins are unknown, and are likely to remain unknown, several early players can lay claim to having popularized the technique by spreading the throw amidst their peers. In order to throw a conventional forehand you first must grip the underside of the disc with your index and middle fingers, and the top of the disc with your thumb. The disc is then drawn backwards and whipped forwards, the flat face of the disc parallel to the ground, finishing with a flick of the wrist to propel the disc forwards (hence the common use of the term 'flick'). Victor Malafronte is one of the aforementioned players that went about teaching this new technique to others, he termed it the 'two-finger macho sidewinder' and was said to be able to throw it 100 yards. Since then it has developed into a crucial asset in every thrower's arsenal and the best throwers in the game can reliably toss it over 60 yards, even in strong winds.

Technique


 * 1) Grip the disc between index and middle finger (on the disc's underside, inside the rim of the disc) and thumb (the top of the disc, along the edge of the disc).
 * 2) Hold the disc out to the side of the body with the palm and forearm facing skywards, about waist height (whatever feels most comfortable), the flat of the disc parallel to the ground.
 * 3) Draw the disc backwards, still parallel to the ground, ready to whip it forwards. When first learning to throw a forearm this part of the mechanics can be made more comfortable by taking a step sideways and leaning over slightly on the same side that the disc is being held.
 * 4) Whip the disc forwards (in a motion not too dissimilar to a sidearm pitch in baseball) leading with the elbow and keeping the disc parallel to the ground.
 * 5) At the end of the motion, flick the wrist forwards (often players coaching beginners will say 'snap' instead of flick) so as to give the disc spin and generate more velocity.

These steps form the basis of how a traditional forehand is thrown and taught. Every player develops their own preferred technique, usually by making minor adjustments to the mechanics outlined above. Over time- as greater control over the flight path of the disc, angle of the disc, the ability to throw with more velocity and varied points of release develops- it is only natural that each player will have formed their own 'style' of throwing a forehand.

History