How to Throw an Ultimate Frisbee Forehand (the "Flick")

This video will help players at all levels improve their flick technique and power. Make sure to focus on parts of the video that are newest to you as you're practicing, and use the , and . keys while the video is paused to go slow-mo. Happy throwing!
Remember: I push you because I love you!

[@andrewlewis8223]

My flick form is garbage, finally some step-by-step instruction that makes sense!

[@jaymacpherson8167]

Nice forehand Jonny! Since most people naturally do an outside-in forehand motion, I like to say “throw it so that the disc slopes inside-out. Keep trying until you can consistently get the disc to fly inside-out.” Once they get there, I then address the whip. Then the straight line motion of the disc for max distance. By the way, the zoom level once you make the throw could be magnified so the viewer can see the end-of-flight slants. Lastly, since players are often marked, and stepping out (not forward) is more effective at getting around a mark, I advise people practice the forehand more often stepping perpendicular to the target direction as it is the harder footwork to get off a good throw.

[@JonnyMalks]

Thank you so much for these insights and notes! You're making everyone on this channel (including me) better through your contributions, Jay!

[@sethhage2289]

Thank you for the video!

[@JonnyMalks]

Thank YOU for the support!

[@chrisomara7416]

Johnny like a mini-Rowan in this video I love it

[@JonnyMalks]

My mentor

[@leonmakenzie7972]

Thanks for the video Jonny

[@JonnyMalks]

You're so welcome - thank you for the support!

[@karlycasey5819]

Thanks for the video! I learn a lot from these and take to my teammates :) Do you have a video on optimal throwing in windy situations? I am looking more for body positioning, disc angling, and power control when throwing with, against, or in a cross wind. Thanks again!

[@JonnyMalks]

Thank you so much for your support! Throwing in the wind is coming sometime in the future!

[@Mohammad-vf6rc]

Its high level video 🔥 . Keep on good work

[@jakelee2402]

Great video, thanks! In trying to learn the forearm this summer, I've developed major pain in my shoulder (rotator cuff?). It's not necessarily that I'm trying to throw at 100% vs. 80% (like you say), I think it's my overall mechanics (though your video will help) but I also think I just need to build more muscle in the shoulder, arm, and core. Have you run into this issue? Any suggestions? I'm starting specific exercises for rotator cuff and core.

[@JonnyMalks]

Working on shoulder-specific lifts and focusing on your core sounds like a great start! Also, make sure to consult the services of a licensed physical therapist. Nothing can replace quality care when it comes to addressing injuries!

[@xiyuwan1658]

Hi Jonny, thank you for the video!! i have trouble adjusting my forehand for years. I keep learning from tutorials videos but i still finding my forehead is not changing. Could you please look at my form? If it’s fine may I send you a video? Thank you!!

[@alexrouault7421]

I'm just learning the flick now and I'm finding that they are turning over really fast to the left (I'm right-handed). They consistently turn into rollers and never go far. Do you know what causes this and how to fix it?

[@JonnyMalks]

Hey Alex! Thanks for your question. This same thing happened to me a lot when I was learning to throw. You're probably starting the disc too flat in your motion so that by the time you're releasing it's already flipping to the left. I would recommend tilting the disc so that it is sloping at a slight angle away from your body down toward the ground before throwing. Then pull it through at this angle so that the disc flies to flat rather than blading into the ground. This combined with more of a confident grip on the disc (using your thumb to press into the flight rings) should help the issue. Another thing that will be important is to throw at a comfortable range until the mechanics feel good and then work on longer throws. I found that the turnover problem happened to me when I was learning whenever I would try to push my range without having worked on short throws enough. Hope this helps!

[@Mohammad-vf6rc]

Great video . But the second whipe you mentioned it's incorrect . Actually I think it's better to name the second whipe as shoulder whipe not elbow

[@JonnyMalks]

Noted! Thanks for your feedback here.

[@JoeMamaUltimate]

​@@JonnyMalks I think there's shoulder involvement but IMO the elbow leading the wrist whip is super important. Solid video, though I think it's worth mentioning that you want to have the disc make a roughly straight line with your forearm (which also leads to the palm-up follow through)

[@JonnyMalks]

@@JoeMamaUltimate Thanks for the note!

[@johnnguyen8800]

What’s your max distance for a flick and backhand?

[@JonnyMalks]

Depending on the conditions, I can throw a flick around 70-80yds and a backhand around 80-90yds max. However, I find that max throwing distance is not the most important thing in being a solid power thrower. It's all about being able to throw your max power with consistent shape!

[@Mohammad-vf6rc]

I really want to know how to noise Controll . In windy situation . Put some tips about that in the next video . Thanks

[@JonnyMalks]

Noted!