Bent elbow technique

[jonathanrarick]

I've read about this technique several times, but I've never really used it. I picked up a long reach back technique early on which, as I understand it, is a Swedish technique. However, I've noticed lately that I have some considerable muscle pain after a round in my right arm and my chest. I think I'm maybe muscling the disc rather than throwing smooth and well. I also don't notice any pros use this technique. They all seem to prefer a bent elbow.

Does anyone here use the bent elbow? Can anyone offer any advice on how to utilize it?

If you haven't a clue what I'm talking about, here's a link to the most comprehensive article I know of discussing it.

www.discgolfreview.com/resources/articles/bentelbow2.shtml

[becker]

This sounds like the sort of thing Jed or Nate or Michael Myrick might be able to answer better. Unfortunately, the first two don't check these boards and the last hasn't in years. If you're really looking for an answer, I recommend using Facebook - there's a Nashville Disc Golfers page where a variety of knowledgeable blowhards will spout their wisdom, as compared to here where merely a few blowhards reside anymore.

Not trying to discourage you from asking questions here, but also don't want to discourage you with silence.

Hope it warms up enough to play Crockett Sunday.

Back on point: I have elbows. Two.

[jonathanrarick]

Thanks for your reply Becker. Can you bend your two elbows?

[becker]

Caught Myrick on Facebook, and he offered the following:

...the long reach back technique, when taken to the point of almost fully extending one's arm backwards, just causes extra work and has nothing to do with generating any additional force and can be extremely counterproductive to my style of throwing. Personally, I only extend back half to 2/3rds of the way back. the power all comes from a muscle memory taught body explosion in the throw from the feet and legs, through the hips and torso torque, followed through the arm… much less emphasis on the arm than one would think. Very similar if not extremely comparable to the baseball swing of a power hitter. When someone goes out of their way to extend all the way back and straighten their elbow, they're too busy focusing on an objective in the opposite direction of the throw that takes far to much energy to redirect, as opposed to gaining any burst.

Hope that helps.

[jonathanrarick]

Thanks for the reply, Becker. I personally throw with a full reach back like he's described which works for me and my muscle memory. However, I've considered revising my technique lately to turn my body only 90 degrees from my target instead of 180 as I usually do.