What’s a ‘chicken wing’ in disc golf? (and how to throw one)

Green Splatter recently published a piece on how to throw a Pterodactyl claw.

Click here to check it out for yourself.

After it dropped, a number of readers reached out via email and on social media, asking if the Pterodactyl claw was frequently referred to as a “chicken wing” in certain discing circles.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but no …

It’s not.

Unlike the Pterodactyl claw, the chicken wing is a throw plucked straight from the worlds of Ultimate and flying-disc freestyle. In both pursuits, tragically, the technical name for the shot is the “overhand wrist flip.” The label’s not nearly as cool, so for this post, we’ll stick with poultry.

The chicken wing is similar to a forehand, but with the throwing arm flipped over. As a result, instead of being open to its target, the throwing shoulder is closed off. Furthermore, as opposed to the elbow bending to drive power into the disc, it’s extended, locked and used as a whip.

In Ultimate, the chicken wing is used to safely pass a frisbee to a teammate from a short distance. The funky form behind it is intended to keep the frisbee from the outstretched arms of defenders.

Struggling to envision the shot with such a backwards-sounding explanation?

Click here to see one in action.

So, how does the chicken wing translate to disc golf?

What purpose does it serve, exactly?

Well, there’s a reason you don’t see it much out on the course …

It’s not all that useful.

Soft, short approaches with a lid-like disc could make sense: the Glitch, Polecat or Armadillo from 75-ish feet from the pin. And there are guys who can throw these a country mile off the tee with something fairly flippy. No joke, click here to see a guy launch a 360 chicken wing …

Not recommended.

The problem is that there’s no real situation in disc golf in which a stock backhand or forehand approach or drive wouldn’t be a million times smarter – and easier to execute, for that matter.

So the answer?

The chicken wing is fun. It’s good for showing off a bit. And it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if a future edition of Ript Revenge forces participants to bust one out on occasion.

Reasons enough to learn one.

Here’s how to do it:

• Place your thumb firmly along the inside rim. Then, fan your remaining fingers across the flight plate. The pointer finger can rest on or off the edge of the disc – it’s your call.
• At this point, push your wrist outward for maximum curl with the frisbee.

It’ll look like this:

• To execute the shot, throw the frisbee like a discus.

That’ll look like this:

• Rocket your wrist forward at the last second to propel the disc into the air.
• You’ll feel it snap off your thumb – this means you’re doing things right.

* Note: For a simple, step-by-step tutorial on YouTube, click here.

The good news?

This is easy to master.

Give the chicken wing five minutes of dedicated, uninterrupted practice. Play with grip, discs, angles and power levels, too. In no time at all, you’ll be the second coming of Brodie Smith …

But with a Berg, instead of a fastback.

And into a Veteran, as opposed to basketball hoop.

Bed-head optional.

Flap those wings.

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

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• What’s a ‘Pterodactyl claw’ in disc golf? (and how to throw one)

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