Variations on a Figure Four Set

Lisa Hunrichs demonstrates different types of figure four under the leg (UTL) sets: either setting flat from a center delay or setting on an angle using a rim delay.

While both of these tricks are challenging, there is certainly a higher level of center delay mastery required for the flat set. Then again, using the rim set can allow for consecutive tricks like going straight into a chest roll as Lisa demonstrates.

The Basic Back Roll

Lisa Hunrichs demonstrates a Back Roll with Clockwise spin.

First, face the wind. Next, give yourself a throw (set) with a steep angle into the wind so the disc blows back towards you. Now, turn your body so your right shoulder is forward. Turn your right hand over and let the disc contact your palm. The disc will roll down you arm towards your back / right shoulder. As it contacts your shoulder, turn your body to match the speed of the disc. Also, lift your left elbow. The rotation of your body will propel the disc up your left back / shoulder and up your left arm. With only your elbow up high, the disc will pop up into the air from your elbow on a steep angle, leaving you in a perfect position for another trick.

Note: usually back rolls cause the disc to get steeper and to turn out of the wind to the right, or to the left for counter clockwise spin.

Kick Brushing 101, the video version

Jake Gauthier teaches us how to kick brush a frisbee. A kick brush is a air brush with your foot. In other words, you kick the frisbee to keep it in flight, changing it’s direction and adding spin as you kick it. Kick brushing is a great trick because it is hard, unexpected, and can be used to keep the disc flying almost indefinitely. It’s also a great trick to save a drop as your feet can reach farther, and lower than your hands

To kick brush, face the wind. Then give yourself a little throw with the disc nearly vertical. The goal is that the wind blows the disc back to you. As the disc nears your feet, kick it. But, don’t kick it like a soccer ball. Instead, think about the spin of the disc and try to add spin with your kick. If it is spinning clockwise, kick it at 5 o’clock and swing your leg from right to left. For counter clockwise spin kick it at 7 o’clock and swing your leg from left to right.

At first, your goal is to just kick it back up to yourself. As you get better try both feet or try kicking it multiple times in a row. Also, try adding a trick catch after the kick.

Extra credit is you can invent other ways to kick the frisbee to keep it in flight. Let me know what you come up with in the comments.

Jake discusses the intricacies of the under the leg airbrush

In this video I talk about some of the possibilities of doing an under the leg airbrush.

Airbrushing is when you hit the outside rim of the disc to keep it in flight. By performing this trick under your leg, you are adding a restriction which increases the difficulty of the trick.

Since the disc, you leg, and your hand are all moving, an under the leg airbrush can be performed at least three different ways…extra credit for listing another way in the comments.

First is where your arm reaches under your leg. The disc never actually traverses under your leg but your arm movement is restricted by your leg.

Second, the disc traverses under your leg before you airbrush it. The restriction here is the timing of the leg and hand movements so the disc does not contact your leg and so you do not air brush your leg instead of the disc.

Third, you brush the disc so it travels under your leg after the airbrush. The restriction is that the airbrush must be accurate enough and/or your leg must move accurately enough so the disc does not hit your leg.

Can you see the differences in the video? Which one do you think is the most difficult? Can you think of another way to do an under the leg airbrush with the same leg/hand combination?

Freestyle Frisbee How To Do a Chest Roll

A chest roll is where the frisbee rolls from one hand, down your arm, across your chest and then out onto the other arm and hand. Ideally, the disc will touch your body the entire way across. However, that level on control is hard to master, even after 20 years of playing.

To practice, face the wind. Toss the disc on a steep angle so the wind will blow it back to you. Consider which direction the disc is spinning and toss it so it is close to the hand that will propel it across your chest. That is, left hand for clockwise spin and right hand for counter clockwise spin.

Next, hit (brush) the disc to give it momentum to traverse your arm, chest, arm and other hand. This initial contact is very important because, if the disc makes it at least across your chest, it is easy to save by pulling in your far hand and doing an airbrush. However, if it doesn’t make it to your chest or hits your chest and falls, it’s nearly impossible to get the disc back in flight.

As you practice, you’ll find that you can put the disc back into the air with the far hand. This can lead you to multiple chest rolls, air brushes, or trick catches.

How Perform a Figure Four Set by Lisa Hunrichs

Lisa Hunrichs, multiple time world champion teaches us how to perform a Figure Four set.

In Freestyle Frisbee a set is when the Frisbee is under control and then set up into the air to lead into another trick. A Figure Four position is when an arm goes under the inside of the same side leg. I.E. the right arm goes under the inside right leg or the left are goes under the inside of the left leg. The arm and leg together cross a little like a 4.

A Figure Four set can be done either from a rim delay or a flat nail delay but the body mechanics change slightly for each. A Figure Four set is a great visually and leads well into other tricks.

The Chest Roll by Ryan Young


Ryan Young teaches us how to do a chest roll. A chest roll is where the frisbee rolls from one hand, down your arm, across your chest and then out onto the other arm and hand.

To practice, face the wind. Toss the disc on a steep angle so the wind will blow it back to you. Consider which direction the disc is spinning and toss it so it is close to the hand that will propel it across your chest. That is, left hand for clockwise spin and right hand for counter clockwise spin.

Next, hit the disc to give it momentum to traverse your arm, chest, arm and other hand. Try not to move your shoulders forward as the disc progresses. When the disc reaches your far hand either catch it or push upwards to propel it back in the air to try a second chest roll or other tricks.

The Scarecrow Catch


The ScareCrow is one of the more challenging trick catches in freestyle frisbee as it is blind. The position to catch a scare crow is with the arm extended straight and the thumb down. Bend over and twist at the waist so that as you twist you lose sight of the disc. Your arm swings around and you catch it just as you lose sight.

To practice, give yourself a light toss about head height over one shoulder. Toss is either flat of with a slight nose pointing behind you. Then watch the disc, bend and twist and try to find it with the hand opposite of the should you tossed the disc over.

The secret is to watch the disc as long as possible. Turn your head and your eyes toward the disc so that you lose sight only at the last possible moment.

Another tip I forgot to mention in the video is to open your hand as wide as you can. I sometimes will stretch my first finger and thumb to get the opening as wide as possible. This way there’s less chance of the disc hitting your thumb as you come around.