How to Huck a Backhand in Ultimate Frisbee

Like football, the deep bomb, or huck, in ultimate Frisbee is an essential tool for a fearsome and balanced offensive game. If a thrower is incapable of throwing for distance with accuracy, the defense can sag underneath making it difficult, if not impossible, to complete even shorter throws. The backhand huck takes time to master, but the reward will be well worth your input. Because the disc relies so much on aerodynamics, power is secondary to technique for distance throws--an important thing to keep in mind as you embark on this learning voyage. This description assumes a right-handed thrower--for a lefty, reverse it.

Instructions

    • 1

      Grip the Frisbee tightly with four fingers under the lip of the disc and the thumb across the rim. A tight grip ensures that you will be able to generate the spin required to keep the disc aloft on its long flight down field.

    • 2

      Wind it up. Begin by holding the disc flat in front of you facing the target or receiver. Keeping your left foot stationary, rotate your right leg across your left, finishing with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and so that the heel of your right foot is roughly in line with the toe of your left. Keep the disc in the same position in front of your chest--as you rotate, rotate the disc as well keeping your arm extended. Now the disc should actually be "hidden" from the target--with your body between the disc and the receiver.

    • 3

      Pull the disc even further behind you. After your legs are set up in the torqued position, pull your upper body and arm, with the disc in it, further counter-clockwise to generate even greater power.

    • 4

      As you unwind to throw keep the disc low. Spin your upper body clockwise, keeping your feet stationary. Keep the disc at about waist height, starting a little lower and finishing a little higher, through the duration of the pre-release motion.

    • 5

      As your shoulders come into line with the direction you want to throw, extend your arm and release the disc away from your body snapping your wrist to generate more spin.

    • 6

      Follow through. As you release the disc, allow your body to spin back into a more natural position, and follow through with your right arm finishing with it pointing close to the direction of the target.