How To Throw A Forehand (Flick) In Ultimate Frisbee

How to Throw A Forehand (Flick) in Ultimate Frisbee
A How to tutorial on one of the most important throws in Ultimate Frisbee.

[@IHACKER316]

That flick you bombed in the final in Ireland was one of the best throws I ever seen. I was there but never got to meet you in person. You are one of my favorite players ever and it was an honor having you over here.

[@kurtegibson]

Thanks.. It was a pleasure being over there. I had a blast… The team was tremendous all around… Next time please introduce yourself

[@finallyandrey]

The best vid on forehand that humanity has to offer. So many little things packed in there that new players usually struggle with and that barely ever get a mention. Saying this after I already sent it to god knows how manu people, but it’s never too late :) thank you, Kurt.

[@kurtegibson]

Thank you! If there’s anything else I can help with please let me know!

[@challenges-dl3yu]

Wow the sound of that flick is so soothing

[@Graveltongue]

I gave my son Elliot his first frisbee when he was 4. He picked it up and, without any instruction, threw a ~20yd flick! Got it on video too! Mad! He’s nearly 17 and plays with 2 clubs here in the UK. Is planning on trying out for U20 GB in the winter.

[@kurtegibson]

Love it! Hope he continues to progress well!

[@owendarden8958]

Thanks for this! This has been one of the hardest things to learn! Love the bracelet!

[@kurtegibson]

Great to hear!

[@josiahdunlop4167]

thank you so much for your content. I joined my college ultimate club team and am still learning how to properly throw flick. ur vid helps alot!

[@kurtegibson]

That’s great to hear. Thanks for sharing!

[@cadmus204]

This was so helpful. Thank you!

[@kurtegibson]

Great to hear!

[@papasmurph4661]

thanks so much for explaining the grip. I had been using more of a fan grip, without both my index and middle finger pressed up against the inside of the rim. This was fine for short unders, but wasn't the greatest for distance hucks. Weird transition for me, but I'm getting the hang of it!

[@kurtegibson]

Great to hear it!

[@user-ny4nn3bd3q]

Thanks a lot, these tips were really helpful, awesome bracelets.

[@kurtegibson]

Glad to hear!

[@timothydavis2568]

I would love to hear about the modifcations you make for the outside-in or a higher (shoulder level) release

[@kurtegibson]

I’ll add this to the list!

[@camdenndean]

Seconded! I would also love a guide to throwing in different wind conditions.

[@jeffmaskalunas6962]

Going through some of your content, and I really appreciate these in depth series! They help me plan out how to coach these topics to others along with subtle considerations. With the flick grip, do you have both your index and middle finger touching the inside rim as well as the bottom of the disc (pushing into the corner)? And do theses two fingers touch more on the central “pad” or on the side of your index and middle finger? I’ve been throwing where my index finger is contacting the bottom of the disc and pushing against my middle finger into the inside rim (so that my middle finger is the only finger in contact with the inner rim). I’ll have to play with putting my index finger on the inner rim too like you’re showing because this looks like a slightly more stable grip.

[@kurtegibson]

Depending on the size of your finger it may look a little different for each person. I think the way you’re describing is good if you’re comfortable with it. I throw it like that too especially when I’m throwing for distance. Most of the power will come from your squeeze on the whole frisbee with your hand and your middle finger. If I throw softer for shorter distances my index finger sometimes gets closer to the rim. The more you practice and throw you’ll just do what’s most comfortable for you

[@jeffmaskalunas6962]

Thanks for the reply! I didn’t know if either of those varieties I described gave more stability and consistency with the grip, but it seems like I’m in the right ballpark. Definitely taking a bit more note of the thumb pressure downwards and index finger upwards on the flat part of the disc to engage the grip stronger.

[@jeffmaskalunas6962]

Just saw this video come up from a disc golf short explaining how they differentiate a disc golf forehand grid (finger pad on the rim) versus an ultimate grip (side of finger on rim). The former enables more wrist mobility which is why it’s used for disc golf: m.kzbin.info4YQcmN3mom4

[@TheHimbeerable]

Hi Kurt, I have trouble with my timing. I grip the disc tightly, but when do I release the pressure?

[@kurtegibson]

You don't always have to grip it tight. There are places where gripping it softer is better. This will just take practice until it becomes natural, the more you practice your throwing the more your body will find where to release it naturally. I hope this helps

[@frisbeegeek]

hello , i am an ultimate frisbee enthusiast from china. i really enjoy your tutorial videos and agree with your views. i am currently translating this video into chinese and plan to publish it on bilibili while also giving credit to the original source. is that okay?

[@yangfan66]

Hello Kurt, 1st, can you teach us how to throw a forehand air-bounce? Feel it is so hard; 2nd, if I wanna throw a frisbee out of hand quickly, do you have any suggestions for that, cuz we have a test that throws both backhand and forehand between 2 players at 8 meters distance in 1 minute, 40 times passes will get A, 25 times will get D, in order to get into an ultimate team.

[@kurtegibson]

I typically wouldn't recommend throwing air bounces. While they 'look cool' they are higher risk throws that aren't as reliable as a straight throw.

[@kurtegibson]

You will get faster at throwing/releasing by throwing every day. I would recommend 100 throws backhand and forehand every day for 1 month. You will gain much from doing just that.

[@yangfan66]

@@kurtegibson Thanks

[@user-zy2ct4cg4t]

It's so kind to add script on this video because I can easily translate this video to Japanese.

[@kurtegibson]

Awesome! Glad to hear it!

[@cupbowlspoonforkknif]

So if I'm defending I could watch for the shoulder drop to know if they're going to flick?

[@kurtegibson]

It’s a little more complex than that but it is a factor. Good throwers could also do the same motion but throw a fake instead.

[@cupbowlspoonforkknif]

Thank you! My flick is exactly as you described, shaky and dives hard.

[@kurtegibson]

I hope the video was able to gelp

[@benjtv7897]

when i first play frisbee i only know forehand throw haha i dont know how to throw backhand far. thanks for this tutorial ive been playing for almost a week nos

[@kurtegibson]

Awesome!

[@benjtv7897]

@@kurtegibson thank you its very awesome sport were always happy playing

[@kurtegibson]

Of course!

[@raymoond0]

You’re not tilting the outside edge towards the ground in your example throws at the end but the disc is still gliding flat and straight. Why is that? If anything sometime the outside edge is actually tilted upwards before the release

[@kurtegibson]

With a standard flick you don’t want to tilt the outside edge down. You do this primarily on Hicks and longer throws or into the wind. On short throws you want to maintain more of a flat release point.

[@sjwwasteland422]

Hi Kurt. Nice video. Any chance you could get some players together and teach some team drills to teach a group of new players? Most KZbin videos only focus on individual skills or use a whiteboard. RiseUp had some nice stuff on this but I guess they are done as I dont see any new seasons being made on their site. AUA had drill videos but I think when Rowan made Excel Ultimate he took most of those videos down. Id appreciate some KZbinr to start making Drill videos for groups.

[@kurtegibson]

Thanks for the feedback, I don’t have any plans in the near future to do something on this topic, mostly because it’s harder to coordinate so many people to film. But, it’s not out of the question and something I’ll evaluate doing in the future.

[@harrisonsudano1288]

I’m watching this and wearing the same 40 days for life bracelet on my right arm lol

[@kurtegibson]

Love it!

[@chriscooper7465]

Thanks for the tips! Love the bracelets!!!

[@kurtegibson]

Of course! I’m glad you like them! 🙏🏼

[@linuslaw9648]

wait have I been holding it wrong the whole time I've been doing more of a gun type thing with my ring and pinky fingers curled into my palm rather than against the rim of the disk

[@kurtegibson]

I don’t recommend that grip

[@takas.124]

Thank you for posting videos that are always helpful. It's sudden, but please take a consultation. I'm not good at transmitting force to the disc, and the disc doesn't rotate well. I know that the cause is poor power transmission to the disc, but I have no idea how to fix it. I practice throwing the disc every day, but I feel like I'm going to break my heart because I'm not improving at all.

[@kurtegibson]

Hello! I'm glad you find the videos useful. It's a bit difficult to diagnose what may be happening without seeing it live. Keep practicing and mimic what you see in the video. It will get better I promise you.. Stay strong!

[@anoramba]

I'm Kurt Gibson's 42nd subscriber? 🤯

[@kurtegibson]

Someone had to be it !

[@Kahunak22]

Oddly when I learned the flick I throw them way better than I ever have backhand.

[@kurtegibson]

I was the same when I first started!

[@goose00helton]

First!

[@kurtegibson]

Someone had to be it! 🎉🎉🎉

[@malcolmmcfarlane7565]

You said to dip the outside edge down to compensate for the disc's tendency to roll over. This is incorrect. I used to believe this as well, but if you look at your own throws in this video you can see that's not what happens. You need to keep it flat and to prevent the overturning action of your hand as you release.

[@kurtegibson]

Hi - You are correct and appreciate the point but I see many new players who need to be told the outside edge down to compensate for the turnover of the frisbee until they start getting the hang of it. So, for new players, this is good advice. I (and perhaps you) have been playing a long time and can throw at all different angles release the disc flat to go straight. There are many different factors like wind that can affect the angle you release the disc at making the edge position relevant to the conditions. Once folks get better the potential to need the outside edge down becomes more of a ‘release it flat’ coaching.

[@malcolmmcfarlane7565]

Great answer. Yes, I started playing ultimate in '89. I enjoy teaching grommets.

[@SilverSage11]

Wow not even a gator disc ??

[@kurtegibson]

I'm afraid I don't own one anymore... Got any? I can use them in some upcoming vids!

[@leonq9890]

多出一些基础教学，你很快就有一大堆来自中国的观众。

[@kurtegibson]

Is there something specific you had in mind to teach?

[@leonq9890]

@@kurtegibson There is nothing specific to teach.But the sport is currently very popular in China and has just started.Many Chinese will come here to find the teachings of masters

[@leonq9890]

@@kurtegibson I think it would be great if you taught a little more about the basics.