Matt Demonstrates Learning the Center Nail Delay

The center nail delay is the basis for much of Freestyle Frisbee. It is the act of spinning the frisbee on your finger nail. Matt explains how to practice so you can master this skill.

First, give yourself a two handed throw. Be sure you choose the spin, clock or counter, that you want to practice. This throw is good because the disc comes to you perfectly flat. Now, let the disc land softly on your finger nail. Most people use the index finger, but any finger nail works. In fact sometimes I use two, or all five (the claw). Keep the disc above your head so you can see the center. As the disc slides on your fingernail, move your finger so it stays in the center. This may mean moving your feet to pursue the disc. Stay loose and chase it around. If it falls all the way to the rim, no problem. That’s called a rim delay. Just let it spin there, trying to keep only your fingernail contacting the disc. The rim delay is also a useful skill. As you get better at both the center delay and the rim delay, bring your arm down until you have control while looking at the top of the disc.

Have advice for someone trying to learn this skill? Let us know in the comments.

Episode 12: Allen Elliott and Donnie Rhodes – Freestyle Frisbee Was My Livelihood

Donnie, Jeff, and Allen in the Rose Bowl FinalsIn this episode, we continue our conversation with Allen Elliot and Donnie Rhodes.

  • Allen Elliott gives us the backstory of the semi’s at the 1981 Rose Bowl. 16 teams experimented with  “Pick Your Poison” to finalize the pools. The strategy was to avoid the Coloradicals. Was Bill Wright was actually trying to pull a fast one?
  • Per Donnie, things were much more serious & competitive then,  “Winning was life, freestyle was not a pastime, not a hobby, it was our livelihood.”
  • Donny shares his philosophy on the evolution of freestyle.  In his opinion, freestyle has veered away from what makes it beautiful, which is the mere flight of the frisbee and the kinesthetic awareness it creates.
  • There is also talk of competitive freestyle needing more experimentation. Hmm, that seems to be a common theme. Fortunately events like Frisbeer, Paganello, and Potlatch are doing just that.

Poll: What Spin do You Take?

Lori throwing clock

Lori Throws Clock Spin – Grrrr

When freestyler’s meet one another for the first time, the first question is, “what spin do you take?” The answer to this question could change how they treat each other forever. Will they throw clock? counter? third world? Or does it even matter?

For this weeks poll, let’s find out if there’s a dominant spin in the world. When someone asks you what spin you take, how do you answer?

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Anyone have any good stories about this conversation?

Episode 11: Jeff Felberbaum’s Tenuous Relationship with Frisbee

Jeff FelberbaumJeff Felberbaum was recently inducted into the freestyle hall of fame as part of the initial inductee class. He was also the winner of the 1979 and 1981 Rose Bowl and one of the original Washington Square Wizards.

  • Jeff shares how a simple overhand wrist flip caught his eye from a school window and eventually lead him to Washington Square Park where his game matured.
  • Jeff shares his fascination with the disc, and gets introspective about his motives for playing.
  • He also talks about being part of Krae Van Sickle Disc Dance Project.
  • Why did he put down the frisbee for 30 years?

Jeff’s Hall of Fame Induction

Poll: Have You Read the Competition Manual

Reading the Comp ManualFor those of you who compete at FPA events, the event is run and judged based on the competition manual. It defines the divisions, the pools, number of judges, judging categories, seeding, and all other aspects of how the competition works. Most events that are not FPA events still use many of the themes and concepts laid out in this manual.

When I first started competing I had no idea that such a manual existed. I was already overwhelmed by the welcoming people and amazing talent. I learned by following their example. As I got more serious competition I took the time to read the manual cover to cover. There were several “aha” moments for me. Like how the seeding worked and why being ranked high is an advantage. Also, if your music messes up you can restart your routine, something Matt and I ended up using later on. It also improved my understanding of what judges look for so I could tune my choreography.

Since that time, the competition manual has been revised. I’m embarrassed to say that I have only read bits and pieces. That plus my previous experience seems to be enough to get by. Then again, I was able to get by for several of my early years without reading it at all.

This weeks question, how much of the competition manual have you read?

[poll id=”11″]

When you read it, what did you learn?