Do You Throw With Your Hip or Your Shoulder?
(No Ratings Yet. Click to Rate!)
Loading ...Last weekend at Chesapeake a teammate remarked, when watching the Chain vs. Ironside game, about how the players were “throwing with their shoulders”–throwing with the hip means power is generated from below the plane of the throw, adding a natural float, while throwing from the shoulder keeps power in the same plane and allows for flatter throws–your typical elite-level pass, in other words (touch has its place, but by and large throws are all about speed and precision).
It’s a facet of throwing mechanics I hadn’t considered but instantly made a difference as I applied it. Throwing from the hip can generate more power but takes longer and is inclined to float; throwing from the shoulder leads to a faster release (no step required, though it can augment) and a bit more consistency in windy conditions.
I think your ideal thrower can generate enough power from torso/shoulder as to obviate the need for the hip on long throws. I need a bigger sample of observing high-level players and applying it myself before I can make that judgment authoritatively, though.
Try it out next time you’re tossing–throw with no step, just torso/shoulder motion. Channel the same motion from your stepped-out pivot position, extend application to practice and game use.
One of Zip's Tips was of a similar style to this- to throw with no step, using a trunk twist, and thereby improving your backhand power. I think its a good idea to try out, especially for something small to work on when playing catch
Would love to see some video explaining the difference between the two!
i've enjoyed reading your very detailed posts about the intricacies of the game, so thanks.
i found this video about pulling while using your hips/core, i thought it was helpful, as well as his other videos.
http://vimeo.com/user1784872/videos/sort:date
Hi,
I would also be interest to see picture or drawing that illustrates the 2 different throws.
Tim Gehret and Ben Wiggins made several of these throws in the WFDF 2008 finals game, if anyone wants to post some clips to youtube. Of course, Chase SB didn't have any, and still made some of the best throws of the game.
Hey all,
Video is a good idea, but I have trouble finding the time to do so right now (just writing is a challenge).
If I do get the chance, it'd be over the next few weeks. As an alternative, watching elite men's ultimate is a good way to try and cull it out–lots of fast-flying shoulder releases there.
Here's a quick grab of the referenced finals game. The USA players make almost exclusively shoulder throws, the Canadian players make (break-mark) throws using their hips. Apologies for the awkward editing.
And ultivillage, please don't sue me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubdhmr1WjgY
Why not both?
http://dopacetic.blogspot.com/2008/10/illicit-formula-of-shoulder-jerk.html