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How to Throw A Roller
spreadicus
Posts: 626
How to Throw A Roller
By Everything Disc Golf

Have you ever wondered about a mysterious shot called .The Roller.? The roller is one of the most under-rated, and certainly under-utilized, shots in all of disc golf. Perhaps because it looks like a mistake that just happens to .luck-out.. However, if thrown correctly . it can be the perfect shot in many long hole circumstances, giving you an edge on the competition.

When to (and not to) Throw the Roller

The Roller is one of the longest and most versatile shots you can throw, provided that the conditions are right. You have to first look at the conditions of the field. Have the fairways been recently mowed or would you be rolling through Don King's hair? Is the ground wet, or are there any bushes in the way that could slow down your disc or bring it to a sudden pre-mature stop? Before the roller can even be a possibility, you have to make sure the throw is.possible. Some holes are conditioned for the roller. A hole with a few trees with lots of low hanging branches might make for a difficult airborne shot weaving between the limbs, whereas with a roller you would just need to avoid a few tree trunks.

The roller will add an extra 20-30% to your drive, however, you will loose out on some accuracy. That being said, you only want to throw the roller when it will give you the possibility for a birdie, or provide significantly less risk than a more traditional shot. If you have to throw another shot in order to put you in position to putt after your roller shot, then you should have just thrown a drive instead -it isn't worth the loss of accuracy. However, if throwing a roller will give you the opportunity to putt, whereas a drive wouldn't have . then let the roller rip!

Disc Selection

When selecting a disc for your roller you will want to use a very understable disc, like a well aged driver or a Lightning #1 Roller or #2 Roller. As discs become beat-up they lose stability (meaning they turn over or turn to the right easier), which makes them roll more easily. In addition to losing stability as they age, discs that are a little beat up roll easier because the roughed-up edge will make better contact to the ground. You also want to make sure that the disc is a harder type plastic, as these discs don't have as much .give. when they hit the ground. Perhaps you have a favorite high-end plastic disc that has kissed way too much tree bark to be useful anymore. If it's an understable disc . that's your roller.

The Throw

You want to start out throwing your roller using the x-step like you would on a typical backhand drive. However, when you pull your arm back, you will want to raise it about 15 degrees higher than on a normal drive. This will cause your hand to swing downward slightly instead of straight across during your arm swing. On your release, you want to snap your wrist downward giving the disc the angle it needs to turn over the right amount before it makes contact with the ground. You will need to practice this release in order to get the feel of how much .help. your specific discs needs in order to get the correct landing angle you want. When you throw, you want your disc to stay in the air for about 1/3 of the distance to you target. At that point the disc should have turned over enough so that when it strikes the ground it is almost (but not quite) standing straight up. It will finish straightening itself up in the first part of the roll. The disc then should roll the other 2/3rds of the way before rolling off a tad to the right before sitting itself down.hopefully two feet from the basket.

This Article is brought to you by Everything Disc Golf. The Disc Golf and Ultimate Frisbee Super Store!

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Posted: February-23-2006 8:56 pm
Re:How to Throw A Roller
sir-hucks-alot
Posts: 3

                     As 2 whether 2 throw stable or unstable plastic 4 rollers:                                            

         i think that thats all personal preference. a general rule of thumb is, (overstable/slow stand-up), (understable/faster stand-up) hit the fields 2 find out what works 4 U as a roller. I recommend Firebirds 4 overstable rollers and Sidewinders 4 and understable roller.

            dont forget that in a bind u can use mid-ranges 4 approach rollers in low ceiling scenarios.

 



Posted: May-30-2006 11:19 am