It can be challenging to make a Frisbee glide if you don't know how. This article will teach you to throw a Frisbee using a basic backhand technique.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Learning the Throwing Motion

  1. 1
    Grip the Frisbee in your fist. Your thumb should be on top of the Frisbee, your index finger should be against the edge and your remaining fingers should touch the underside.[1]
  2. 2
    Stand with your feet at a 90-degree angle to your target. Your right foot should be in front if you are right-handed, and your left foot should be in front if you are left-handed.[2]
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  3. 3
    Curl your wrist slightly back towards your body as you hold the Frisbee. Your elbow should be pointing up and outward.[3]
  4. 4
    Point the Frisbee at your target. Usually, you are throwing your Frisbee to another person, so you will want to aim your Frisbee so that your partner can catch it easily.
  5. 5
    Move your arm forward quickly. Straighten your arm and, as your arm is almost fully extended, flick your wrist and release the Frisbee out towards the target.[4]
    • Your wrist should snap with a spring-like motion.
    • Release the Frisbee at different heights for different effects during the throw. For the most stability, try releasing it just above your belly button.
  6. 6
    Release your Frisbee with the appropriate amount of power. Too much power or too little will cause the Frisbee to hit the ground, wobble or fly wildly.[5]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Fine Tuning Your Throw

  1. 1
    Practice your throwing technique. Practice will perfect your own technique and give you a feel for how the Frisbee interacts with air currents.[6]
    • Try throwing the Frisbee between two cones with a friend
    • Try throwing the Frisbee at a target. For example, you could throw the Frisbee into a box or toward a tree.
  2. 2
    Increase your power. During your throwing action, shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot while twisting your hips. For more stability, step outwards with your dominant foot.[7]
  3. 3
    Get the details right. Remember these details while fine-tuning your throw.[8]
    • Concentrate on your wrist snap. This action will add spin to your throw, which will make it more accurate and will keep the Frisbee from wobbling
    • Bend your elbow during your toss. The elbow bend will also improve your accuracy while increasing the power of your throw.
    • Keep the disc level as you throw. Imagine that the Frisbee is a dish of ice cream and that you are trying not to spill your dessert.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Should I point my elbow towards my target?
    SmallManBigDreams64
    SmallManBigDreams64
    Community Answer
    Yes, always point your elbow towards the target, it's one of the key fundamentals of how to throw a Frisbee, all the pros do it.
  • Question
    What shape should my hand be in when I'm making a thumbs-down catch?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You should make hands into a c-shape, sort of like how you would eat a hamburger.
  • Question
    If I'm a lefty how do I throw a backhand/forehand?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The same way a righty would throw it. Just be sure to angle your body with respect to the direction you are throwing towards.
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Warnings

  • Be careful when you are throwing your Frisbee in a neighborhood. Frisbees easily fly onto roofs, and they can also damage windows.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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Things You'll Need

  • Frisbee
  • Open area such as a sports field, a beach, a park
  • Friend to catch your throws

About This Article

Henry Brown
Co-authored by:
Ultimate Frisbee Athlete
This article was co-authored by Henry Brown. Henry Brown played ultimate frisbee at Santa Clara University from 2013-2017. This article has been viewed 467,845 times.
154 votes - 82%
Co-authors: 69
Updated: July 21, 2022
Views: 467,845
Article SummaryX

If you’re not sure how to hold a Frisbee, grip the Frisbee in your fist so your thumb is on top of the disc, your index finger sits along the edge, and the rest of your fingers are underneath it. Stand with your dominant foot pointed straight forward and your non-dominant foot at a 90° angle to the other one. When you’re ready to throw, curl your wrist slightly back towards your body so that your elbow is pointing up and outward, then extend your arm straight out, releasing the Frisbee at the end of the motion. For tips from our reviewer on improving your aim, read on!

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