You really have gold here. I’ve watched a bunch of videos of pros explaining how to get distance/power but they all either gloss over or severely underemphasize the brace. Thank You!!! Also the video clips of Wiggins and Will help illustrate your points nicely.
Wow "it's easy to go through the motions of a backhand throw without ever shifting into the brace". I took a video of myself throwing today and that's exactly what I do. I mean that motion you demonstrated is almost identical to what I look like. I think your channel is exactly what I need. Thank you for these videos
That shifting from side to side idea is massive! It's making me engage My front leg and Truly use it as a plant. Really excited to get out to the field today
Just found your channel. Watched at least a dozen vids so far. Thank you for explaining everything so in depth. Best instructional vids i've seen to date (by far). You made me a subscriber
Very nice Jason. I call this "Coming Over The Top" - and it is bad. You gotta finish balanced cleanly on the plant foot, with your left elbow pointing down the line of play, after a full power drive. If you can do this, then you know that you made all the right moves, and all at the right timing, because if you didn't, you couldn't remain balanced at the end. I really like the idea of jumping backwards out of the braced position, and I am going to give that a whirl tomorrow. I think there are (at least!) two critical components which contribute to that balanced finish. The first is planting the foot perpendicular to the line of play, or even with the heel advanced slightly further. This ensures the hips are fully rotated prior to the pull-through. The second is the use of an **active and agressive left arm and hand**. I see so many supposedly good players with incredibly lazy left arms. Like they don't know what to do with it, and their game suffers for it. The active and aggressive left arm involves three distinct movements in three distinct phases in a full power throw. You chose this shot well, because Will's throw in your video perfectly demonstrates all three phases of the active and aggressive left arm! The camera angle does not show the first phase too clearly, however. The first movement (Pre-Pull) is to pump the left elbow backwards during the reachback, parallel with the line of play. This extends the reachback (I call it the "ReachOUT", because "back" is the wrong word for it, and tends to suggest to people that curling it around their body is correct) by between 100 and 150mm. The second phase (Pre-Smash) begins when the pull does, and the left arm is thrust downwards into the crotch area so that when the disc gets to the right pec, the arm is vertical, just like the fast-spinning ice skater, and the shoulders can rotate freely. The third phase (Post-Release) is arguably the most important; firing the arm and hand upwards and outwards, swinging the left hand around the elbow *in the reverse action of the smash* such that rotation is removed from the body, and the elbow ends up pointing down the line of play. Please note that finishing in balance does not result in accuracy, but rather in maximal efficiency of the throw. There is no doubt in my mind that Will Schusterick has the finest driving form of any person to ever play the game, BUT, in my view, Paul McBeth exhibits the worlds most efficient and most accurate backhand power form. He uses less energy per metre thrown than any other player on tour. We can tell this by how well balanced he is at the end of every shot. *THAT* is a key component of Paul's amazing ability in disc golf, his incredible balance, no matter what surface he's on, how compromised his stance is, or how much power he is putting in. Recently, both Paul and Will had the exact same uphill, compromised lie, where they both had to throw from a standstill, with full power. Will's pull looked amazing, but he was not properly balanced at the finish, and his disc faded out early into trees. Paul remained perfectly in balance, and his disc did not fade, and dropped just next to the wall, for a drop in bird, while Will had to settle for a tough run from the trees, and took a par.
I think I have been getting the first hints of a good brace... finally. Is it normal to experience soreness/discomfort in the lower exterior part of the brace leg?
This would be better if you adjusted the camera so instead of seeing 4 feet over your head we can see your feet, I think it is just pointed a little too high, we see above you but cant see your feet and I think especially in this particular video seeing your feet woudl be helpful. I appreciate everything you do and have watched most if not all of your videos, the ones I can hear anyway some are in the wind and I cant hear you, but most are great, so Thanks for all the time you put in for everyone else.
...so Jason, from what I understand with your pole vault idea. As you step your toe out and you've got full reach back you then pull into the power zone as the heal comes down then your body is actually leaning at a backward angle and your body is compressing down along that angle at that point the arm is in the Power Zone the heal fully drops that's almost when your body starts to lean forward and then you do your hip twist rotation to drive the arm and you get a snap on your towel... then your body comes up out of that compression?
Snapshot Hotshot, Inc. the single easiest way to imagine the tilted spiral, is if I handed you a basketball and told you to throw it underhand. Literally take a basketball or a hammer and throw them off the planted front foot. Maintain balance and watch what happens. It’s so much easier than trying to dissect each key frame... and it’s something you have done before.
"..carry your momentum down the line and be able to throw it back". "Come in and jump back". Jason. I have had an issue with figuring out how to brace for years and this finally made it click in my head. I'm going to a field right now to see if I can make this happen. Will keep you updated if I figure it out. I'm so close to that 500' range and I'm hoping this helps me break into that territory.
Is it possible to brace too much and just not spin open the front foot at all, because this seems to happen to me. I put my weight on front instep and I just get stuck there, because I have stopped all weight.
+Jaanus It's possible that you're not driving your hips open or that you have your weight too far behind you (your butt is too far out). It's really hard to diagnose the issue without seeing what's happening from the side and from behind.
Great video! I wish you, or someone like you, could watch me throw and help me out in person. I throw around 325 now on a good day', but I know I have 450' of power in my body. I am built almost exactly like Will, and only a couple of years older than him.
+RockCh4lk Being skinny doesn't really mean much. Almost every healthy young adult has 450' of power in them. It's all technique and not leaking any torque.
You really have gold here. I’ve watched a bunch of videos of pros explaining how to get distance/power but they all either gloss over or severely underemphasize the brace. Thank You!!! Also the video clips of Wiggins and Will help illustrate your points nicely.
Wow "it's easy to go through the motions of a backhand throw without ever shifting into the brace". I took a video of myself throwing today and that's exactly what I do. I mean that motion you demonstrated is almost identical to what I look like. I think your channel is exactly what I need. Thank you for these videos
Perpetual motion drill... back and forth, over and over. You will feel your balance/axis shift like a skier in moguls.
I can't thank you enough for all you've done for my golf game.
+Jody Cone Glad to help Jody!
That shifting from side to side idea is massive! It's making me engage My front leg and Truly use it as a plant. Really excited to get out to the field today
Just found your channel. Watched at least a dozen vids so far. Thank you for explaining everything so in depth. Best instructional vids i've seen to date (by far). You made me a subscriber
Thanks man!
This is one of your videos I am very keen to discuss, Jason. I didn't even know the questions to ask back in 2016 - but now I do!
Wow. Why have I just now found this channel. Passing on to others. Thanks for your passion to teach
Dude just letting you know your videos are appreciated! I always seem to come back here if my form breaks down
This video really made the bracing thing click for me. Idk why such a simple idea was so elusive.
Very nice Jason. I call this "Coming Over The Top" - and it is bad. You gotta finish balanced cleanly on the plant foot, with your left elbow pointing down the line of play, after a full power drive. If you can do this, then you know that you made all the right moves, and all at the right timing, because if you didn't, you couldn't remain balanced at the end.
I really like the idea of jumping backwards out of the braced position, and I am going to give that a whirl tomorrow.
I think there are (at least!) two critical components which contribute to that balanced finish. The first is planting the foot perpendicular to the line of play, or even with the heel advanced slightly further. This ensures the hips are fully rotated prior to the pull-through.
The second is the use of an **active and agressive left arm and hand**. I see so many supposedly good players with incredibly lazy left arms. Like they don't know what to do with it, and their game suffers for it.
The active and aggressive left arm involves three distinct movements in three distinct phases in a full power throw.
You chose this shot well, because Will's throw in your video perfectly demonstrates all three phases of the active and aggressive left arm! The camera angle does not show the first phase too clearly, however.
The first movement (Pre-Pull) is to pump the left elbow backwards during the reachback, parallel with the line of play. This extends the reachback (I call it the "ReachOUT", because "back" is the wrong word for it, and tends to suggest to people that curling it around their body is correct) by between 100 and 150mm.
The second phase (Pre-Smash) begins when the pull does, and the left arm is thrust downwards into the crotch area so that when the disc gets to the right pec, the arm is vertical, just like the fast-spinning ice skater, and the shoulders can rotate freely.
The third phase (Post-Release) is arguably the most important; firing the arm and hand upwards and outwards, swinging the left hand around the elbow *in the reverse action of the smash* such that rotation is removed from the body, and the elbow ends up pointing down the line of play.
Please note that finishing in balance does not result in accuracy, but rather in maximal efficiency of the throw. There is no doubt in my mind that Will Schusterick has the finest driving form of any person to ever play the game, BUT, in my view, Paul McBeth exhibits the worlds most efficient and most accurate backhand power form. He uses less energy per metre thrown than any other player on tour. We can tell this by how well balanced he is at the end of every shot.
*THAT* is a key component of Paul's amazing ability in disc golf, his incredible balance, no matter what surface he's on, how compromised his stance is, or how much power he is putting in.
Recently, both Paul and Will had the exact same uphill, compromised lie, where they both had to throw from a standstill, with full power. Will's pull looked amazing, but he was not properly balanced at the finish, and his disc faded out early into trees. Paul remained perfectly in balance, and his disc did not fade, and dropped just next to the wall, for a drop in bird, while Will had to settle for a tough run from the trees, and took a par.
The lighting and the hat and shades makes it look like you’re in the Witness Protection Program 😂. Great info as usual.
I think I have been getting the first hints of a good brace... finally. Is it normal to experience soreness/discomfort in the lower exterior part of the brace leg?
This is great stuff! thanks alot!
great video .tx
+Edward Galapeaux Glad to help!
This would be better if you adjusted the camera so instead of seeing 4 feet over your head we can see your feet, I think it is just pointed a little too high, we see above you but cant see your feet and I think especially in this particular video seeing your feet woudl be helpful.
I appreciate everything you do and have watched most if not all of your videos, the ones I can hear anyway some are in the wind and I cant hear you, but most are great, so Thanks for all the time you put in for everyone else.
...so Jason, from what I understand with your pole vault idea. As you step your toe out and you've got full reach back you then pull into the power zone as the heal comes down then your body is actually leaning at a backward angle and your body is compressing down along that angle at that point the arm is in the Power Zone the heal fully drops that's almost when your body starts to lean forward and then you do your hip twist rotation to drive the arm and you get a snap on your towel... then your body comes up out of that compression?
Snapshot Hotshot, Inc. the single easiest way to imagine the tilted spiral, is if I handed you a basketball and told you to throw it underhand. Literally take a basketball or a hammer and throw them off the planted front foot. Maintain balance and watch what happens. It’s so much easier than trying to dissect each key frame... and it’s something you have done before.
"..carry your momentum down the line and be able to throw it back". "Come in and jump back".
Jason. I have had an issue with figuring out how to brace for years and this finally made it click in my head. I'm going to a field right now to see if I can make this happen. Will keep you updated if I figure it out. I'm so close to that 500' range and I'm hoping this helps me break into that territory.
Is it possible to brace too much and just not spin open the front foot at all, because this seems to happen to me. I put my weight on front instep and I just get stuck there, because I have stopped all weight.
+Jaanus It's possible that you're not driving your hips open or that you have your weight too far behind you (your butt is too far out). It's really hard to diagnose the issue without seeing what's happening from the side and from behind.
Great video and advice. Side note: sweet ride. What kind of car is that?
+djbme83 Thanks - it's a Subaru XV CrossTrek (stick of course!)
Great video! I wish you, or someone like you, could watch me throw and help me out in person. I throw around 325 now on a good day', but I know I have 450' of power in my body. I am built almost exactly like Will, and only a couple of years older than him.
Are you in Denver?
+RockCh4lk Being skinny doesn't really mean much. Almost every healthy young adult has 450' of power in them. It's all technique and not leaking any torque.
+loopghost no... close, but not Denver. I'm in Kansas City.
+RockCh4lk well hit me up if you're ever out west!
+RockCh4lk Post video of yourself in the DGCR Form Critique section. You'll get critique from him and several other form gurus on the board.