Imagine you are in a heated game of disc golf. You've just thrown a great drive from the tee. It sails straight and true, but it bounces off a tree in the fairway and comes to rest directly behind it. You're close enough to the basket that you might be able to hit it from that distance if that tree weren't in the way. A normal backhand throw is going to require an additional throw to get around the tree. But what if you could lean around it and throw sidearm?
A usable sidearm throw is an important technique for any disc golfer's arsenal. It's typically a more accurate style of throwing than backhand because you can keep your eye on the target. However, sidearm throws tend to travel shorter distances than the more conventional backhand throw, so they're primarily used in putting. It can also be effective when trying to navigate around an obstacle on the course. The grip, the stance, and the throwing motion are all completely different from that of the backhand throw.
To throw a disc sidearm, hold it in your throwing hand with your index and middle fingers tucked under the lip of the disc and your thumb outside the lip. Turn your hand so your palm is facing up. Some players will also tuck their ring finger underneath the lip. Choose whichever way is most comfortable for you.
Unlike the backhand throw, when throwing sidearm, you should stand facing your target. The throwing motion is done more with the elbow and a flicking motion with the wrist. Bring your arm back and smoothly release the disc when it's about even with the side of your body. You should throw the disc with about half the velocity of a backhand throw so the disc stays flat and flies straight. As you get better at the throwing style and the flick of the wrist, increase the velocity.
The sidearm throw takes a lot of practice to master, so don't get impatient. It's difficult for most new players to keep their palm up while throwing at first, since it's a rather unnatural position. It's also difficult to keep the disc flying straight at first. The disc has a tendency to flutter because you're either releasing it too hard or at an angle. With time and practice, the sidearm throw can become an integral part of your repertoire.