As spring dawns, the Great Lawn has begun to beckon the weary-eyed academics huddled in the hallowed halls of Silent Study. Soon, hordes of students will abandon the piercing, fluorescent lights of buildings and fifty-pound backpacks for feather-soft, green grass under their feet and the blazing sun overhead with a perfectly spherical frisbee in hand. Now is the time to learn how to flick your wrist with style and charm your fellow lawners.
**Reporting by Howard Johnson ’17 with Ultimate Coach Scott Hoenig. Pictures taken by Lauren Luo ’16.**
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Backhand
The Backhand is thrown from the left side for right-handed players. For the backhand, you must grab the disc with your whole hand, placing your thumb on top. A strong snap of the wrist is required in order to impart the necessary spin, very similar to the tennis stroke. Stepping into your throw can increase its power.
Forehand
Often referred to as “the flick,” “the two-finger” or “the side-arm throw,” The Forehand requires you to adjust your grip. Throw from the other side of the body, pinch the disc between your ring finger and middle finger and leave your thumb on top. All momentum is obtained through a flicking of the wrist, in a motion similar to the crack of a whip.
Hammer
The Hammer’s grip is identical to that of The Forehand, except you must throw the frisbee like a baseball, or as if you’re hitting someone with a hammer. The disc flies differently when it is upside down, and as a result the hammer tends to fall much more frequently than regular throws.
Quick Tip: You may find that your frisbee is tilting in the air and moving to the side every time you throw it. To prevent this you must angle your disk down on either side.