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The sidearm throw or forehand and flick as it’s sometimes called can be a great shot to develop in disc golf. If you are a right-handed player, sometimes you just need to finish right instead of left and a sidearm throw can help you do that. You may even love the sidearm so much that it’s your go-to driving choice.
What you may not know if that you can do more than drive with your sidearm. You can also use it for mid-range throws and approach shots and still be successful. In this article, we’re going to go over some great options for mid-range discs that you can use to throw forehand. We’ll also take a look at what makes a great sidearm mid-range disc.
Here are my picks for the best Mid-Range discs for Sidearm throws:
- Innova Rat
- Westside Harp
- Discraft Wasp
- Discmania MD2
- Dynamic Discs Justice
Let’s take a look at the list in greater detail:
Innova Rat – Speed: 4 Glide: 3 Turn: 0 Fade: 3
Innova designed this mid-range disc specifically for forehand throwing and that’s why it’s listed here. It has a low-profile, flat top and no beaded rim which makes it easy to hold for sidearm shots.
The flight path of this disc can be described as very straight with a predictable fade at the end. While it’s designed for sidearm throws, it also works great of backhand throwing too.
Not only does it work great of backhand and forehand shots, you can trust this disc in the wind. So if you are looking for a sidearm mid-range disc, consider the Innova Rat.
Check it out on Infinite Discs.
Westside Harp – Speed: 4 Glide: 3 Turn: 0 Fade: 2
Westside created a great mid-range disc for sidearm throws when they released the harp. The harp has a flat top which makes gripping it with your sidearm grip a lot easier.
It flies super straight with a predictable fade at the end of the flight. This disc works great for approach shots, medium distance throws and drives.
Don’t let the windy conditions scare you, this disc will fight the wind. Grab a harp if you are looking for a great mid-range flick disc.
Check it out on Infinite Discs.
Discraft Wasp – Speed: 5 Glide: 5 Turn: 0 Fade: 3
Discraft made an excellent forearm mid-range disc with the Wasp. This overstable mid-range disc has a nice straight flight with a hook at the end.
It’s Discraft most popular overstable mid-range disc and for good reason. This disc works great for forehand throws but works equally well with backhand throws. If it’s windy outside or you need a hyzer finish you’ll want to reach for the Wasp.
So if you are looking for a great sidearm mid-range disc and want more speed and glide than the Harp and Rat, get the Discraft Wasp.
Check it out on Infinite Discs.
Discmania MD2 – Speed: 4 Glide: 5 Turn: 0 Fade: 2
The MD2 by Discmania is a great sidearm mid-range disc. This disc has an overstable flight path and a nice low profile which makes it perfect for flicking.
But that’s not all it can do, the MD2 works well for fairway shots, medium drives, and longer approach shots. You can trust this disc in the wind and on hyzer throws.
It holds it’s line very well and all players from newbies to advanced could benefit from having an MD2 in their bag. Get an MD2 today and take full advantage of this great disc.
Check it out on Infinite Discs.
Dynamic Discs Justice – Speed: 5 Glide: 3 Turn: 0.5 Fade: 4
Looking for a beefy mid-range disc you can pull out for medium range and approach sidearm throws? Then look no further because the Dynamic Disc Justice is here.
This disc is overstable and has a nice flat top that works well for forearm throws. You can trust this disc on windy days and if you put some real heat on it, it won’t turn over.
The Justice works best in the hands for more advanced players but newer players can find a use for it as a utility disc. Dynamic Discs made a quality sidearm mid-range disc with the Justice and you should try it out today.
Check it out on Infinite Discs.
What makes a good Mid-Range Sidearm Disc?
There are two main differences between throwing a disc backhand and throwing it forehand. Those two differences are: how you grip the disc and how much spin you put on the disc when releasing it.
To accommodate the forehand grip a flatter disc profile is recommended. A low profile helps to get a better grip on the disc and to assist with a good clear release.
When throwing a disc with the sidearm technique, you usually put less spin on the disc than when throwing it with the bank hand technique.
The spin of the disc helps keep the disc in the air and flying on a stable path. To combat this loss of spin it is recommended to throw more overstable mid-range discs.
When to use a mid-range sidearm disc?
There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting a disc which I’m not going to discuss here but for most players, they are going to select a mid-range disc for a distance of about 150 feet to 250 feet.
So if you are at this distance why would you choose to throw a mid-range disc forehand instead of backhand?
Probably the best reason would be because you are more comfortable throwing the disc using a sidearm technique. Meaning you are more consistent and accurate with your forehand at this distance.
If your main throwing method isn’t the forehand or you aren’t as comfortable using the forehand throw, why might you decide to use a forehand shot at this distance?
The best answer would be because you want the disc to finish a certain way. For instance, if you are a right-handed player and you need the disc to fish right instead of left, throwing a sidearm throw would be easier and more consistent than trying to get the disc to turn over.
Some other instances that you might choose a sidearm throw over a backhand would be if there is an obstacle in your way and you can’t release the disc using a backhand throw.
You may also need to release the disc low or you may not want to take your eyes off your target. Both situations would lend themselves to a forehand throw.
Aside from throwing sidearm, what else are these discs good for?
The discs in the list are all stable to overstable and all have a low profile. Aside from using them for a forehand shot, they will also work great with your backhand throw.
They should fly straight to overstable so using them for a medium distance tunnel shot would be a great option. Also, if you need a disc to hyzer out using one of the discs on this list will get the job done.
These discs should also work well for windy days and if you need to throw a medium distance spike hyzer or skip shot.
Final thoughts
If you are looking for a mid-range disc for your forehand throwing needs any disc listed here should work great for you.
If you aren’t interested in these discs, that’s okay, just use my recommendations when selecting a mid-range disc to flick. You are looking for an overstable disc that has a low-profile.
Select a disc with those characters and you won’t be sorry. You can use these discs for medium distance shots that require you to finish right instead of left (if you are a right-handed player). Grab one of these discs and get flicking!
If you are looking for the perfect distance driver for your sidearm, check out this article.
Image Credit Flickr Creative Commons – Mimi Cummins