AA wants someone to evaluate his side-arm drives

[VADISCgolfer]

I got a quick video where you can tell AA, (also known by "AA" in this thread), what he is doing wrong or right on his side-arm drives.

"AA Disc Golf Drive Video Critique" Video
(3 drives in one vid. Length = :53 seconds)
Actual URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cDK3EplKKs

Notes:
***The second drive is a 90° dog-leg right. I think the third drive is the easiest to see.

See any problems?

I know some people may enjoy criticizing [video critique] videos, Thank you very much anyway! I'll tell AA when or if he gets any responses.

[Toomes]

I don't know much about sidearm form so I can't help you there, but that definietely looks like Barnett Park in Kinston, NC. That's a great course.

[black udder]

I can't throw it, but I'll give my 2 cents off what I see some other good throwers do.

He doesn't seem to make much of weight distribution.

He's keeping the elbow in, which I believe is good, but most guy's arms are like baseball pitchers (bends waaaay back). I dunno if these shots don't require that distance or if he's just wrist flicking it.

It doesn't look much like he's getting much hip action into the throws. He is pretty much open (pelvis facing the hole) from the start. He doesn't really close up and pivot open, which I would think would add some more power. I know a guy who just stands and throws, but he stands straight up, then drops into a lunge and flicks it just as he hits, so he's got a lot of weight distribution going for him. I'd think watching Greg Bennett throw would help him. AA's step sort of looks like a one-step throw instead of an x-step type (which closes the hips).

He's also getting the nose up which reduces distance.

[VADISCgolfer]

I don't know much about sidearm form so I can't help you there, but that definietely looks like Barnett Park in Kinston, NC. That's a great course.

Yeah, that is his course! It's awesome.

[peppermack]

I think a lot of what others have said is right....the throw looks very stiff. There is no weight transfer to the front foot as the disc is coming forward. I also recommend bringing the arm back a little bit further and having the disc in the orentation that it is going to be thrown at the whole time. So nose down as the disc is pulled back so that it does not have to be adjusted mid throw. I can throw sidearm about 400-425' and it is all in the acceleration as the arm comes forward and as much snap on the disc as you can achieve without hurting yourself. Plus....maybe the most importantly...as you will see in any thread talking about distance....whether it is sidearm or backhand......a nose down release is the only way any D is going to be achieved.

[VADISCgolfer]

The following...

after about two rounds my arm and shoulder tend to hurt i think it is because of the way i am flicking, i feel that im using too much arm and not enough wrist.

I switch up on the way I throw depending on the hole, im a better flicker than a backhander. I have been trying to improve my backhand lately but I am having trouble. my friend tells me I am leaning back when I throw it backhand and throwing kind of like an anhyzer, he says I should be getting low and coming down and across, and having my knee and hip into it, keep it low, let it glide and fade at the end.

I appreciate all the help you guys done on this forum for me.

VADiscgolfer does not endorse or participate in the preceding AA statement(s).

[JR]

The following...

after about two rounds my arm and shoulder tend to hurt i think it is because of the way i am flicking, i feel that im using too much arm and not enough wrist.

I switch up on the way I throw depending on the hole, im a better flicker than a backhander. I have been trying to improve my backhand lately but I am having trouble. my friend tells me I am leaning back when I throw it backhand and throwing kind of like an anhyzer, he says I should be getting low and coming down and across, and having my knee and hip into it, keep it low, let it glide and fade at the end.

I appreciate all the help you guys done on this forum for me.

VADiscgolfer does not endorse or participate in the preceding AA statement(s).

Doh!. The video is not up any more. But from the sound of the advice AA needs to listen to his friend because they are some of the most important basic skills to master. Also it's almost certain that a lot of forehanding and especially with lots of initial arm speed is gonna hurt the arm and shoulder. Real D is in part achieved with adding spin to the disc and too little spin flips the disc to a roller. So a heavy late acceleration from low initial arm speed (adding a hefty wrist flick at the last possible moment) is gonna improve his game a lot.
predictability, accuracy and distance.