Sidearm Throws

Written by Dinesh 'Den' Narayan

Flat Sidearm

This is a cool throw. It's a bugger to learn at first but it is definitely one to impress your friends with. It is without doubt very useful and for some players it has superceded the backhand as their "instinctive" throw. The forehand is not thrown across the width of the body, like in the backhand; instead it is released from the hip. If you throw with your right hand you release the disc when it is alongside your right hip. It is the wrist action which provides the spin and drive to make the disc travel though experienced players are able to use arm action as well to send the disc flying for much further distances.

Two examples of throwing a forehand. Right is a Bliss player showing a good example of a forehand, Flying Eggs defender tries in vain to block the pass. Below the forehand pass is typically thrown around hip height, with a strong wrist action. The disc is slanting slightly downwards and held with a relaxed grip.

Why is it used? Sometimes a defender will mark you in such a way which makes a backhand pass impractical, so this throw becomes very useful indeed. There are a couple of ways to grip the disc for this kind of throw, both of which are unusual. The simplest way (though the purists may object) is by placing forefinger and middle finger against the rim, underneath the disc. The thumb rests on top of the disc and the grip should be relaxed. Prior to the throw the disc should be slanting slightly downwards (top of the disc facing away from you). Standing squarely to the person you which to pass to, without moving your hips or shoulders and using as little arm movement as possible flick the wrist and release the disc when it appears to be alongside your hip. Don't be discouraged if your early attempts look naff, we have all had to start somewhere. Keep practicing (or seek help) and through persistence, you will get it right.

Outside-In Sidearm Curl

Another throw that can be used to make the disc fly around opponents or beat a strong crosswind. Similar to the normal forehand throw the disc is tilted towards the body, top of the disc facing inwards before the throw. The greater the tilt of the disc the more the disc will curve in flight.

Left: Bisto showing an example of an outside-in forehand pass. The greater the tilt when throwing the disc the more its' flight will curve. Again, in this example the curved flight of the disc has been exaggerated.

Inside-Out Sidearm Curl

A forehand throw that curls in the opposite way anyone would expect it to. It's a tricky throw to pull off but it can be used to get around the defence the opponent has put on you. It somewhat twists the rules of throwing a forehand which is what makes it weird to learn.

Right: Bisto showing an example of an inside-out forehand pass.

The pass is similar to the normal forehand in the way you grip the disc and in the stance. What is different is the way you throw it ~ the disc is thrown across the width of the body instead of alongside the hip as is usually done with the normal forehand pass.

It isn't a pass that is seen that often because it isn't easy to do. As with any of the passes we have described here, you may require practice, persistance or help to get it right but if you stick with it long enough you will master them all.