Disc Curves: Throwing Inside-Out and Outside-In

Students learn to curve the disc by tilting it at release: inside-out, which starts outward and bends back, and outside-in, which starts wide and closes toward the receiver. Poles stand in for the marker so students see why these curves beat the mark.

How to play

1. Explain with a disc in hand: outside edge low for outside-in, outside edge high for inside-out (3 min).
2. In pairs 12 m apart, 6 throws of each curve with the backhand and 6 with the forehand (8 min).
3. Place a pole between thrower and receiver, 2 m from the thrower: the disc must curve around it (6 min).
4. 2v1 game in a 15-meter lane: the defender marks and the thrower picks the curve that avoids their arm to reach the receiver (6 min).
5. Each pair discusses which curve feels most natural and on which side of the field they would use it (2 min).

Rules

• Poles are planted firmly or propped on cones, and nobody runs toward them.
• The 2v1 defender does not touch the disc in the thrower's hand or their arms.
• Pairs throw side by side, 16 feet apart, in the same direction.
• Play stops when a disc goes into another lane, and it is collected on the signal.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: throws from the wheelchair, and a partner places the pole at a reachable distance.
• Hearing impairment: a two-color card shows which curve is up next.
• Hypermobility or wrist injury: throws only backhand with a soft disc.

Learning goals

• Control the disc's tilt to curve its path.
• Use curves to get past a marker.
• Analyze which technical option suits each situation.

Equipment for a class of 25

• flying discs: 15
• cones: 20
• poles: 6

Teacher tip

Wind changes the curve a lot: use it so students compare the same curve upwind and downwind. A 175 g disc flies more steadily than a toy one.

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