How to Huck A Forehand (Flick) FAR in Ultimate Frisbee

How to throw a forehand (flick) far in Ultimate frisbee. I'll break down how to huck a flick with power in Ultimate Frisbee. One of the most important throws in the game.

[@someoyou]

I liked the explanation! Useful. Thanks a lot!

[@kurtegibson]

Thank you for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed!

[@cmoney7748]

despite being an FSU grad and "hating everything UF" I still respected the hell out of you and modeled my game after you in the 2010's obviously you have the physical abilities to make all the cuts and throws, but i found your field spacing and timing to be much more interesting and practical for me personally. The angles you would set up for your dump cuts, the timing and spacing of your initiations, the way youd shimmy the mark to open up a throw. your defensive positioning, what you allowed, what you took away, when you locked down/when you poached, etc. I know the general public may not appreciate it as much, and I know it may be harder content to create...but you really have an uncanny knack for the game and could make some seriously insightful content. anyone can make a video of how to huck a flick...but very few people on this earth understand the game of ultimate as well as you. (the tone of this is supposed to be reverent/appreciative, not critical/challenging....) AMDG

[@kurtegibson]

Thanks for the reply and sincerely appreciate your comments. I’ve definitely thought about how to incorporate some of that into videos and you’re right, it has been difficult to best do that in practice. If you had to pick 3 topics you’d like to see what would they be? If you give me some I can think about how to make them come to life

[@cmoney7748]

@@kurtegibson hmm...maybe I can just fake a hypothetical to illustrate my idea 2012 finals Doublewide vs Revolver -wind 15mph ENE - mostly upwind/downwind -you cover ashlyn joy for much of the game -how does your mentality shift from first few points to later points? -do you push him downfield to get disc out of his hands? -does game momentum influence aggressiveness? -when do you "let" him get the disc downwind breakside to try and force the around dump to airbounce? -does the 'huck and play D" philosophy come into play either while youre on offense OR on D and how does that change your decision making or spacing -when do you look to poach the lane of another thrower vs locking down on the dump D? -"when marking upwind thrower i kept my hands low to increase the chances that a break throw attempt would be a high release and air bounce" -given that they were looking to work through bart and beau, i actually wanted ashyln (the bailout) to get the disc on this point to disrupt their intended play call or flow -ashlyn has the best down wind right to left forehand huck in the game so we decided to go flat to backhand on the whole team, and full backhand on him specifically - i was JUST trying to stop the huck here and this opened the breakside up...but as a mark, you can only take so much away...but given this particular game situation, the break side was less bad than a huck. so I was "ok" with getting broken here this sounds pretty scattered...and the phrasings are poor...but im kinda thinking you just watch some games that you've played in and then see what small details jump out to you. what minutiae seem relevant? What little insights did you use to exploit this condition or that player tendency, etc almost like an "in the mind of Kurt" a conceptual focused thing that has a bunch of seemingly disconnected details....but illustrates things that "normal" players or low level players or inexperienced players wouldnt even think about

[@iand.s.981]

Thanks man, great content!

[@kurtegibson]

Glad to hear it!

[@doncarloancelotti2256]

Broooo I didn't know you had a YT channel with consistent uploads. It should've been recommended me months ago wtf. Thanks for these pro tips and tricks!

[@kurtegibson]

Thanks! More on the way!

[@bentruong6818]

i’ve seen players that follow through on flick hucks like you and players who stop the arm from following through and coming across the body (like nethercutt or rowan). any insight on what difference that makes? both seem to work well.

[@kurtegibson]

Either can work. I prefer the follow through because it ensures no power is wasted in stopping the motion after release in case you stop it a split second early. In game situations there are times a full follow through will be blocked because of the marker so you have to adjust but at the end of the day it’s really preference. I plan to do a future video simulating hucks in a few common game situations that may provide some additional insight.

[@idabouss5982]

Thanks for the help! We needed some throwing tutorials made more recently than Rowan and Brodie Smith's. Could you please do a video on how to throw past a difficult mark? I frequently find myself NEEDING to get a huck out, but the mark won't go to either side enough for me to feel comfortable getting a decent throw out. This usually results in me making my release points higher to avoid their hands, and the throw (forehand or backhand) blades over towards the inside. Do you have any suggestions for this? Thanks in advance!

[@kurtegibson]

Hello! Thanks for the comments. I will be making a video on this in the future because there are some things to get around it. But I will say if the mark is doing a really good job you can’t force it. Wait for another opportune moment or if you can move the mark

[@idabouss5982]

@@kurtegibson Sounds good! I'm looking forward to that video! Thanks for the help :)

[@squidge903]

Just travel!

[@tinteh93]

If you absolutely need to you can step outwards or even backwards to give yourself a better angle to send it.

[@drpizzagames1015]

I’ve had a problem where when I throw a flick huck (even after watching and applying this vid) it hurts my muscles around the elbow and occasionally on the bicep or tricep, any advice for that?

[@kurtegibson]

If the problem is just when you throw harder then you may just need to build up your strength first. I would start with shorter range throws and do lots of repetitions until you build up your strength. Then you can gradually work your way to more torque/power. I have found that lifting weights in the gym can also help this problem as well. Also, I’ve had elbow issues before and sometimes I just needed to warm up more before throwing for power to ensure I don’t strain a muscle. If the problem hurts after throwing any type of flick then I would recommend go seeing a doctor to have it checked out.

[@russallen2011]

What's the AUDL on your disc stamp? Is that similar to the Ultimate Frisbee Association?

[@kurtegibson]

That was the name of the league before it became UFA

[@jackbuggins1889]

My flick hucks tend to blade down to the left (I'm a right handed thrower)/roll too much after release and dint sit flat for long, any tips to avoid that?

[@kurtegibson]

This is typically the result of not getting enough snap on your throw or over pronating your wrist when throwing. Try doing exercises where you throw exaggerated inside-out throws. Once you can do that with power you should be able to correct it.

[@camdenndean]

I have a 70-yard flick huck, but I’ve heard tales of a 90-yarder. Are there any insights (apart from those in the video) that you think separate a 70-yard flick from a 90-yard flick?

[@kurtegibson]

70 yards is pretty far, let alone 90, I think if you already have a 70 yards huck your mechanics are good, if I hit the gym pretty hard and lifted upper body, arms, etc. I could gain some extra distance

[@destructionman1]

Wind

[@pineapplelollipop1074]

Hey! I notice that when you huck a flick your back generally stays pretty straight. When I huck my chest will sometimes end up over or past my non pivot leg’s knee, and more to the right (essentially I am leaning forwards by a lot). Is this a problem I should be working on or does it not really matter? Thanks in advance!

[@kurtegibson]

While that sounds pretty unorthodox, think the results of your throwing will probably best answer that whether your form needs to change. I.e. are you accurate, getting good distance, consistent, etc.

[@pineapplelollipop1074]

I’m never getting 40yds+ on my hucks, with distance mostly hovering just above 30, but I feel like that could be from other reasons, I’ll probably just have to experiment if you don’t know.

[@FAK0321]

Hello, I have a question about the shape of the frisbee (I think its called shape), so I’m having problems making the disc to go to the right and then gradually turn to the left, I couldn’t throw very far but I think even closer range could also achieve that. Do you have any advises on that? Thanks.

[@kurtegibson]

Hello, I’m not quite sure what you mean here

[@FAK0321]

@@kurtegibson Sorry my English isn’t too good, so start from 5:05, the trajectory of the disc went slightly to the right first and then slowly turns to the left at the end. I’m wondering how to create that kind of trajectory.

[@cmoney7748]

@@FAK0321 i assume you are asking about the flight shape.... an ultimate disc is "understable (disc golf term) because it turns over when thrown with a lot of power. so when throwing far (more power) the disc will turn more. (turn meaning the outside of the disc gets higher and the inside gets lower. So a hard forehand thrown flat will turn over into a roller. part of an effective huck is getting enough IO on the disc (where the outside edge starts lower than the inside) and then as the disc "turns" it is actually just flattening out, and the disc will fly far. so I am assuming your question is asking about how the disc released on a lot of IO (hyzer for disc golf) will start out flying to the right (because the right edge is lower) and then turns in the flight to start moving left. the throw at 0:05 is a good example of this. out of his hand, the outside edge is lower which causes the disc to move to the right a bit...and then as the disc turns in flight, it flattens out and even starts moving back left. The overall flight is basically straight, but technically it starts moving right, (IO) and then turns back left at the end (OI).

[@FAK0321]

@@cmoney7748 Hi, I just saw this reply. Thanks for the explanation!

[@ligemerrill6368]

Maybe a dumb question, but what do you do when you have sweaty hands? I've found that as my hands get sweatier, my grip becomes less effective, and my range decreases a ton, to like 20 yards lol. Backhands seem to struggle a bit too, but flicks are a lot worse--I'm assuming because the grip is reliant on fewer points of contact?

[@curtisclack9067]

Gloves, Towels, More hip power less arm snap, Grip strength cross training like Rock climbing can also help tremendously.

[@kurtegibson]

Good question. I also have a harder time throwing for power/distance when the disc is ver wet. The tighter grip which helps create more snap is higher risk for slipping. So when it’s raining or so humid that my hands are very sweaty I usually wear gloves. There multiple companies that sell them. Old football receiver gloves used to work but now they are too sticky for me. Find gloves that have enough friction to counteract the moisture but not too sticky that you have to change the release points on your throws.

[@destructionman1]

I can relate to this. I use gloves. Basically I'll play the first few points of a game without gloves, then when sweaty, put on gloves. And if need be, I'll carry a second or even third pair in my bag, to switch out to a dry pair mid-game. This happens in the summer heat, but obviously are good if you play in the cold/winter. Also I've found ultimate gloves to not be very good. I actually use cross country ski gloves, the brand is called Hestra. Their material has a texture very close to the texture of skin. Great grip, but not too much. Also for what it's worth, throwing with sweaty hands (or wet hands when it's raining) can be really good practice for throwing flicks. My 2 cents, good luck my sweaty friend :)

[@licknuu]

What does cleats do you have on??

[@kurtegibson]

They are a pair of old nikes. I’ve had them for quite a while. I believe they are vapor TD’s.

[@jleemur]

Hey! I find myself leaning backwards with my chest pointing upwards when I release my flick huck. Have you helped anyone else with this problem before? Any tips?

[@kurtegibson]

That's not necessarily an issue in and of itself. A huck flick can be thrown while in that position but it's not ideal. There may be another issue causing that depending on what's happening to the disc

[@l33d73s]

Try engaging your core more

[@thesalvador.]

I’m having trouble throwing a forehand in general… I can never really get it to fly and it just ends up falling on the floor. How do I throw a forehand?

[@kurtegibson]

Check out my other video on How to throw a forehand first. That provides a more basic tutorial for beginners. If you still have further questions let me know!

[@thesalvador.]

@@kurtegibson thank you so much, I appreciate the amazing content

[@kurtegibson]

@@thesalvador. thanks I appreciate it!

[@retr0active]

any tips for keeping this nose down on forehand hucks? cheers

[@kurtegibson]

What is happening to your hucks?

[@retr0active]

@@kurtegibson I'm not getting the distance that I want. I think they are plowing thru the air nose up a bit. Disc golfers talk about nose angle a lot for distance throwing

[@russallen2011]

Sorry Kurt but Brodie already taught me how 10 years ago :P

[@kurtegibson]

Welp 😂

[@DanilaBou]

I've read that title entirely wrong

[@QaisarSports1116]

How I can start this great game in my country Pakistan. I played in my school time

[@kurtegibson]

Do you have frisbees there?

[@poonamthakor2379]

How to lay out a frisbee bro

[@kevinchappe5543]

Travel😉

[@kurtegibson]

🤫 lol

[@curtisclack9067]

Had high expectations for something insightful but it was pretty plain and didn't explain the power coming from lower half very well. I think it's hard because you can throw 70y flicks standing on 1 foot and not using much lower body. The step through is frequently a step out in-game and doesn't effect the power very much so the most insightful thing in the video is Grip it harder which might help some people but isn't any sort of revelation. Many people struggle with their flicks because they plant and stand their non pivot foot and then use that as their center of rotation which severely limits the leverage distance.

[@kurtegibson]

This video is designed to show how to simply throw a flick far and not cover every adaptation in game. There are hundreds of adaptations players have to do in game and I have planned to cover common ones in a separate video. Are there certain situations or issues you would like covered that will help?

[@curtisclack9067]

@@kurtegibson This video was practically perfect and not overly complicated and very effective. Sorry for my criticisms. Maybe a tiny emphasis that your wrist isn't flexing to create the snap or spin and that it isn't turning over,. I'd like to see a breakdown of throwing with just your arm and slowing adding more power by incorporating more body/hip drive. Roughly compare the release times, Max distance and accuracy to show how each is valuable and how throwing is about building the whole package of adjustments, angles, release points and not finding a single groove and greasing it.