How to Throw the Forehand Shot | Disc Golf

The forehand shot is one of the most important throws in the game of disc golf. Every single player NEEDS to know how to throw this shot in order to be successful. Here are 6 tips to throwing the forehand shot in disc golf:
1. Grip 1:30
2. Stance/Body Position 4:31
3. Engaging the Wrist 7:01
4. Lead with the Elbow 8:38
5. Follow Through 10:39
6. Walk Up 12:36
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Forest by Vlad Gluschenko / vgl9
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[@chainleigh3025]

You are a born teacher. Look into the detail that most players didn't mention about. "Thumb right above your index..." This really makes a BIG difference. Thanks.

[@dawg709]

As an ex-teacher I found your forehand instructions awesome. Heading out this afternoon to put them in action. Mahalo brah!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Thank you!

[@TrashPandaDiscGolf]

Been throwing forehand for 11 years and learned something new! Thanks so much. (I’m voting for the finer details!)

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Awesome! Thank you for the support!

[@stuartmaness6715]

After this video I’ve realized I’ve been doing everything wrong. Thank you bro!!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Sure thing man! Glad I could help!

[@keithkaltz6205]

Same. Lol Time to go hit the field and work out some kinks!

[@alexhouston548]

Thank you for making this!

[@justindilio5008]

Excellent video! The best I’ve seen.

[@edwardclay9563]

Your explanations are excellent, helpful. I have a request for possibly a future video. I'm 75, playing about 3 yrs and love the game. Consider myself average. I have been looking for help throwing from a hillside, either up hill or across hill. Up hill, I'm not able to generate a good forward motion which probably is true to some degree for everyone. Across hill, my plant foot is going to land either above or below my back foot and gravity is going to cause my body to move downhill usually. This results in very inaccurate shots. If you have any tips for these kind of situations, I would love to see them.

[@TheShockRebirth]

Can't wait to get out and try this! Thanks so much bro! You earned a sub my friend!

[@Two_Buck]

Excellent video. Your throws look effortless. With these tips and lots of practice I might actually get this forehand thing down.

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Thank you! The idea is for it to be/look effortless. That’s when you know everything is going smoothly with your throw. Keep working at it. You will get it!

[@JustDisc]

Good tips for the forehand! I especially like the explanation of the steps!

[@uncabull999]

Awesome, very helpful! Just what I was looking for!

[@TwOnEightt]

You got a subscribe from me after you touched on some things that I never even thought about. Great tutorial and teaching skills!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Awesome, thank you!

[@samuraistang739]

Literally the grip just fixed my issues...thx man!

[@mclaincaruso3480]

Very helpful bro keep it coming

[@Trukkikuski]

This and your backhand videos are amazing. You explain everything so well. Thank you for these videos they have helped me a lot!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Glad I could help! Let me know how it goes!

[@joshuacampa3304]

Just learned how to throw side arm this year after about 4 years of playing. Forced myself to only play sidearm and ended up injuring my elbow. Glad you mentioned not over doing it and icing. Great video!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Thank you! It's so easy to over do it with the forehand throw. Hope you recover quickly!

[@markhumphrey8894]

Good explanation of where the thumb goes! I was trying to push it onto the forefinger but was wobbling too much. Love your videos. Keep doing them, you have a great nack for explaining disc golf.

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Thank you for the support! I really appreciate it.

[@brianhurlow4506]

great teacher

[@shawnpatterson2230]

No wonder my shoulder hurts so much from forehands. I don't really engage my elbow. Going to try this next time I'm out. Awesome video.

[@junkfoodeater]

I have a screwed up arm and forehand is the only way for me, great video learned a lot!

[@NickCarroll]

I particularly needed the information on the walk-up. I like the 3-step approach, left-right-left, and I think I'll use that when I introduce movement into my throw. I also now use the same grip you do, and starting to do that eliminated the pain I was experiencing in my fingers on release. Lastly, I like the L-shaped standstill position where the front foot faces the direction I'm throwing, and the rear foot faces perpendicular at a 90 degree angle. I'll test that out tomorrow. Thank you!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Awesome! Let me know how it goes!

[@NickCarroll]

@@GladiatorDiscGolf I have seen success with the 3 step walk up with forehand btw. i can throw sidearm with more power now. Will be focusing on accuracy next.

[@miikaaumanen8592]

As a starting disc golfer, these are the most helpfull guides i've ever come across. Will help me to improve my game significantly. Simply brilliant stuff 💪👍

[@zaboogoosfraba6699]

I love your stuff

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Thank you!

[@bensalemi7783]

Nice video as always. Something that I’d love if you could address in the finer points video is two of Scott Stokely's forehand keys. One is not to over emphasize keeping elbow in because you end up with T-Rex arm. You talk about that on follow through, but I’m not sure how that applies on the reach back. The other is the idea of making sure your follow through/arm swing is “less than” your wrist snap. If you see the disc flutter, he says it’s because you’ve moved your arm faster than the spin imparted by the snap allows. So use less arm swing/follow through and more wrist snap. That tip, plus the McBeth grip, took my forehand from “completely unusable” to “useful” in about 5 minutes, but now I’m a little stuck on the next steps.

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Thank you for the feedback. I actually have that point already written down! You want to hear the snap! If you hear the disc snap out of your hand, you used more wrist that arm. Also, you can tell you're throwing with your arm more when your shoulder and bicep are feeling sore. In regard to the T-Rex arm, that is absolutely something you want to avoid. The reason why I believe keeping the elbow close to the body is important is because it makes sure you use more wrist than arm. The further your elbow pops out the more likely you are to use your arm. This was at least true in my personal experience. I've since corrected it, and my arm feels so much better. I hope this clarifies any confusion. When you say you're stuck on the next steps, what do you mean?

[@bensalemi7783]

@@GladiatorDiscGolf As far as next steps, things like getting more than 150-175 feet of distance out of my throw, where even that means I'm throwing a Leopard. Also, having real control of the release angle and not doing things like throwing a slightly tugged anny when I need a flat, straight release. Being able to throw a significant hyzer at all. Having control of the release line and hitting a relatively narrow gap 50 feet off the tee, so I'm not hitting first available all the time. Things like that.

[@martinleithe7167]

Thank you alot for making this! This is helpful, can't wait for it to stop rain. I need to go up to the course and practise more!. I have really struggled with nr.5 getting a follow through, also my wrist action is .. the short not impressive one, I need to practise doing the full turn back. Walking felt awkward for me, I like more the hop's but I think I'll stop walking up and practising my shots more from standstill, as shuffle just helps me the few times I'm lucky and get a decent throw. More often than not it does not do anything because I mess up other places. especially in nr.5 follow through. I get alot of bad anhyzer unintenional rollers. But again. Awesome video, I hope for more forehand content in the future aswell! Maybe some ideas on what discs I should learn this throw with, and ofcourse more tips and showing the bad vs the right way. Very helpful! Thank you :D

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Glad you found this helpful! Check out part two where I talk about the kinds of discs you should start with! Practicing from a standstill is the best way to start.

[@PastHisPrime336]

I use the first grip type you show here. It took me forever to realize how much the pad of my middle finger needed to be turn inward. I could not throw a shot straight or with anhyzer. I always threw with major hyzer. One day I turned my middle finger inward a lot more where almost the middle pad to the right side (right hand) of the finger pad was resting on the inner rim. After that my forehand has been throwing straight and with much more control.

[@t1rider654]

Once again, great tutorial! Thank you for your professional presentation. I learn something new with every video. Two observations: first, wherever you are it is always really windy! Next, you are a guitarist with that crazy hand span or ought to be. Cheers!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Haha thank you! I am working on the wind thing. Thank you for letting me know! I do play the guitar a little bit!

[@studiowizard6286]

Great video!! I'd love to know what the specs are on the discs you threw and how you're approaching the release - hyzer/anhyzer, etc. - and why.

[@zaneislandd4650]

I have been hopping and feel that it's hard to dial it perfectly and timing can be tricky. That walk up looks so easy and stable that I definitely need to put this video to favorites and try that next time!!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

I feel the same way. Let me know how it goes!

[@MeGolf92]

Just noticed the weight of the disk on the forehand. 166gm. Is it good to have a lower weight disc for the forehand? I cant get any speed when i flick. Enjoy your videos. Thanks

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Lower weights can definitely help if you’re struggling to get a disc up to speed. It requires less force to throw since it’s lighter, but you still have to throw it hard for a distance driver. Idk that lower weights are necessarily better for fh. It’s just what works for me!

[@ThePoliceftw]

hola la verdad re lindo video me encanto deseo el siguiente material me despido les mando besitos muchas gracias

[@JJJ3355]

Great tutorial. Thanks! liked and Sub

[@Rydal1]

I've always been subconscious of forehand grip (mcbeth style) when I see, so many people throwing a stacked grip, but I've tried stacked grip and it never works for me the way it should..my sidearm still isnt great, but I can get it to fly 180-200feet straight, but more than that I haven't been able to reach

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Grip is a huge thing! Definitely go with what is more comfortable. If you're distracted by your grip because it doesn't feel comfortable, then you can't focus on executing the shot. Keep using the McBeth grip. Nothing wrong with that!

[@Rydal1]

I do the paul mcbeth forehand grip, nothing else works for me

[@ActionPouty]

What is that grip?

[@chainleigh3025]

I saw that he has two different grips. I was confused. My discs don't like me to do forehand throw; therefore, I have to keep buying to see if a new disc likes my forehand grip.

[@ScottYonehiro1]

We're not worthy! We're not worthy! 😁

[@rogerhuston8287]

As an ultimate player, I have a very difficult time keeping the nose down. With putters it's great as I can float a disc in, with drivers, not so much.

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Yeah for sure! The throwing mechanics are slightly different. Definitely an adjustment!

[@banbo8627]

My rotator cuff are shot...I can't throw forehand without feeling like my shoulder is gonna fall off, but imma give this method a try

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Let me know how it goes! Sorry to hear about your shoulder issues. That's no fun.

[@Rydal1]

I see when you thorw you have your disc in the right position, but I have somehow developed a swinging motion like Paul does, is there any benefits with either or just whatever feels good?

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Do you have a baseball background? McBeth used to play baseball, so I'm sure that the way he throws forehand is very comfortable/similar to throwing a baseball. As for benefits, I think throwing in the most comfortable way that is mechanically sound is the best. Forcing your body to do something it doesn't want to do can lead to injury. Likewise, if the comfortable way to throw uses bad form, then a change must be made to prevent injury and bad habits.

[@Rydal1]

@@GladiatorDiscGolf yes, I used to play baseball in college. Only problem I have now days seems that the disc seems to rise to much, not sure if I'm throwing nose up or what's the deal

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Depends on how quickly it rises up. Every disc does have lift and glide, but if it is rising up as soon as it leaves your hand, then you’re probably throwing it nose up. It’s hard to say when I can’t see a video of you throwing.

[@Rydal1]

@@GladiatorDiscGolf it goes up after like 32-65feet

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

@@Rydal1 Sounds like you're throwing nose up. Before you throw, make sure your wrist is flat/pointing down slightly. Also, you will want to keep your chest flat during your follow through. I'm going to talk about this in my finer points video. Keeping you chest flat means not having it pop up towards the sky at the end of your release. I hope this makes sense. I am working on the video to better explain this.

[@michaelcushman]

You are a very good teacher. The content is old school. I know, I learned from the best in the 1970s. Almost all the content available on social media and all the teaching comes from the same thought lineage. For example, tucking the elbow in to avoid injury. The root cause of shoulder and elbow pain is using the arm to throw. To avoid pain and to throw with power, the arm is passive. The rotational force powers the arm speed, not muscles in the arm. The arm is relaxed, very relaxed. It is whipped. What if we taught beginners to think of the sidearm as a karate chop, without using the arm muscles to make it happen? The only way to make that happen is to rotate the hips, core, and shoulders together, until the beginner FEELS the whip action happen to the arm! Once they feel it, they keep improving timing, speed, acceleration aiming, control. That is a much healthier forehand that will provide distance right from the start. IMO.

[@stuartmaness6715]

First one here

[@zaboogoosfraba6699]

How far did the putter go ?

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

This video is a few years old. I don’t remember!

[@djeffdjefferson1573]

great video. A lot of noise from the road behind the camera. Maybe if you moved to the other end of the field it would reduce the noise :). Thanks tho.

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

I heard the same thing but couldn’t figure out why! I was on a quiet field near an empty parking lot. I will have to make sure my mic is plugged in all the way.

[@Rydal1]

is it possible ot send you videos on instagram to analyze form

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Yes!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Yes!

[@gaprofitt]

All mine go left and turn into rollers. Why?

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

My initial response is that you’re throwing the disc on anhyzer. This could be from rolling your wrist, releasing late, or other mechanics. Have you tried working on the things I mentioned in the video?

[@gaprofitt]

Gladiator Disc Golf I will soon. Pouring the rain here. :)

[@michaeltong1362]

No wonder my shoulder always hurt after forehand... I was throwing it like a sidearm baseball

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

It’s definitely a common mistake, so you’re not alone. Make the necessary adjustments, and you will be good to go!

[@michaeltong1362]

@@GladiatorDiscGolf thanks

[@kjetildg]

isnt the whole point of a forehand to throw opposite curve of a backhand? all your example throws follow same curve as a backhand. *confused*

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

All of my throws go to the right whereas if I threw them backhand they would go left...

[@markhumphrey8894]

@@GladiatorDiscGolf I think Lowlife means yours start pretty far right and go real left like they are understable like an Innova Road runner or leopard or valkeryie . I love how smooth your release is. Zero wobble. thanks for the great videos!

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Ah okay that makes more sense haha that turn is all based on the disc! The disc will turn when thrown backhand too! Thanks! I’ve worked on it for a while!

[@emsauce75]

Almost did the "shocker" instead of the "Spock" while showing the grip. 🤣🤣🤣💀

[@EthanJLongoria]

The walk up is not as important???? What?? I'm sorry but that's not correct same with your elbow analysis. A disc golf forehand is not very dissimilar to a tennis forehand where all of the power comes from the legs. You push with your dominant-side leg into the throw to brace with your non-dominant leg. You don't lead with your elbow either, this is a common misconception. Starting with the elbow tucked limits your motion. Watch the pros, Eagle, Koling, Sexton, Wysocki, they all start with the elbow out and away, not tucked in. What you do is you tuck the elbow after the throw has begun to have a compact and linear throw. To keep things compact for speed, as you say later in the video. Bringing the elbow in helps with acceleration. The first move should actually begin with the elbow away from your body then as your whip around, your elbow is the first part of your body out front, like a wave on a whip to the crack. The legs, essentially, are what starts the throw and the elbow coming in is merely a by-product of your body accelerating to the throw. You don't lead with your elbow on a backhand either, you start with the hips. A forehand is no different. The elbow gets out in front for the same reason it does on a backhand. Take a look at some tennis forehand videos and a closer look at disc golf forehand videos. Nobody starts with the elbow in, they all get there because of the biomechanics of acceleration. Watch the Koling video on Brodie's Channel to get a better understanding of the forehand throw.

[@GladiatorDiscGolf]

Thank you for your reply. I want to begin with saying that my videos like this one are specifically tailored towards the beginner disc golfer (ie. someone who has never played, has limited experience, or struggles with certain mechanics). Therefore, my advice and tips are meant to help each player learn the fundamentals first. To begin, I never said the walk up was not important. I said it's not AS important as the previous mechanics I talked about because you can still generate power (both from arm and legs) in a standstill position. This can be simply achieved by a slight rocking motion (back to front during the throw). Also, a walkup can be difficult for some beginning players which is why it is best to learn both forehand and backhand by throwing standstill shots. If you watch the last minute or two of my video, you will see that my forehand form includes most, if not all, of the things that make a good forehand. I do not keep my elbow in my side the entire time. I start with a swing (similar to tennis) and tuck my elbow in. Like I said in the beginning of this reply, this channel and the videos are geared towards beginners. Teaching the swing, elbow, extension, and follow through is a complicated task and is best done when broken down into parts. I decided to begin teaching with the elbow tuck because I believe it is the most important part in maintaining a healthy arm and longevity in the sport. In regard to the several players you mentioned who have excellent forehands, they all have slight variations in the form. Koling stands more upright on his throws than Sexton and Eagle. He is also several inches taller than both of those players (in fact, he's one of the tallest players on tour). Simon Lizotte did a forehand shot breakdown and showed a frame from one of Eagle's forehand shots, and Eagle's elbow is clearly leading the throw. It is way more exaggerated than your average player, but we all do it. Which leads to my next point. Each individual is different and will have nuances in their form that may be slightly different from another player. This doesn't make one right or wrong. Each player's body is different and handles things differently. I could never use Eric Oakley's backhand form because there are too many moving parts, and I would feel out of rhythm. Likewise, I would be afraid to try and throw my forehands like Eagle because I think I would tear something. That doesn't necessarily make their form wrong or bad. Those dudes crush, and they do what works best for them. I hope this addresses some of your questions and concerns!