“I see the issue. You’re rounding.”
We’ve all seen this comment thrown around like, well – a frisbee. To the point where it’s pretty much a meme. And it’s kinda funny. As the critique continues, you’ll oftentimes hear this:
“Rounding is a symptom of a form issue, and not the issue itself.”
Here’s what I know to be true: The “reachback” isn’t really part of your form …
I know, I know: Color me controversial.
It’s not a literal “reach back,” either. Heck, it’s not even an active movement, if you can believe it. It would be more accurate to refer to it as a “reach out” or “swing.” It’s a passive progression.
Furthermore, it occurs only passively – and correctly, might I add – when the shoulders and hips move in tandem. Your timing needs to be right for this to happen, but when it does, it works.
* Note #1: “Timing” refers to your lead foot touching the ground and energy entering your disc.
When I started taking disc golf seriously, like most, I watched form tutorials. No matter how hard I threw, though, I wasn’t getting much more than 250 feet off the tee. I’d watch. I’d film myself. Everything looked okay. Not great, but quite a bit better than the 250 feet I was nabbing.
So, I took to a few form groups to find out what was wrong …
“You’re rounding.”
This again.
I soon discovered I had an issue with the term “reachback.” It encouraged some bad habits. In my mind, I needed to reach ALL the way back – as far back as possible. As my newbie brain saw it, the farther back I reached, the more room the disc had to accelerate through the pull.
Right?
Wrong.
My body was getting in the way of my “power pocket.”
If you can relate, the issue is your hips. With an extreme reachback, it’s easier for the hips to turn backwards. They face in the direction completely opposite the target. This is the top cause of the “running backwards” epidemic so many players face. From that position, the body acts as a barrier between the disc and the target. The way to get around it? Yup, you guessed it …
Rounding.
To fix this, forget about reaching all the way back. Yeah, it works for Colten Montgomery, but it’s less likely to work for you. Instead, make reaching out a part of your swing. Watch Philo Brathwaite launch one of his Star Destroyers off the tee – you’ll see what I’m getting at.
* Note #2: Seppo Paju’s backhand form is another great example of the “reach out” method.
Starting out, think less about the literal act of “reaching.” Let it happen naturally. Find comfort. Then, stick with it. Once you start flirting with the 400-foot mark, the reach becomes a more active step in the process. For now, however, by far, timing will be what matters most.
There’s no need to “muscle” the disc 350 feet – timing will take care of it …
Unless, of course, you’re rounding 😉
Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.
Editor’s Suggestions:
- Disc golf: How to not throw nose-up
- Disc golf: What’s a huckface? (and how to improve yours)
- Disc golf: This shot will make (or break) your next tournament
Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.
