Re:Lefty - Throwing Events Discussion

Hey guys and gals-
Im a lefty thrower and I've come a pretty long way in disc. Over the summer I got to 150' but I still need some help with my form. I need some tips to help get my off arm (right arm)to "crank like a lawn mower" so to say. I've been working on it since the summer and 5 months later (well okay I took a break because I do have school) I'm still needing some help with it. Also, I have difficulty getting my hips all the way around and pushing them out at the release of my throw. My coaches have tried different things but maybe if someone said it in a different way or had a new idea it will click. So any suggestions would be much aprreciated!

Truly your 2 problems are related. Getting separation or torque is very hard for young throwers. Maybe think about your R elbow as hitting a pick pocket stealing your wallet in your back left pocket. Throw your elbow back and toward the body. This will help increase speed like an ice skater doing tight spins. Bring the elbows in and you go faster. The other issue is to keep your L hip as far in front of the discus as possible. This will demonstrate torque by separating your shoulders from your hips. Throw elbow back/down/in with hip explosion, eyes go skyward, and a smooth release. It sounds easy but it is hard to do. A lot of core exercise is needed. If you work on this the discus should "spraying" the field during practice.
Good luck,
Coach Morriss

For most young throwers I notice that they shift their weight onto their front foot which not only slows you down but also takes your legs out of the picture. Make sure that you have a solid base and that your weight is not shifting to the front foot through your hips. In order to get the right arm through don't think of the motion as a lawn mower it is more like a straight arm whip across the horizan. You should feel a long stretch in your chest as you do it. Your right arm should be all the way in front of the circle while your left with the discus has not left the back of the circle. Combine this with a pivot up from your back foot (left) and you generate more torque. Hope this helps.