Increasing Disc Golf Distance by Emulating Simon Lizotte

Getting More Power and Distance

Every disc golfer I know wants to be able to throw farther. One way to learn is by emulating the form of players who throw very far. One of the farthest disc golf throwers in the game is Simon Lizzotte.

In this article, we will delve into the details of Simon’s form and analyze the various components that contribute to his impressive distance throws. We will explore concepts such as leg sweep patterns, stagger, alignment of heels and toes, and the power generated in Simon’s form. By understanding these elements, we can learn valuable lessons and insights from Simon’s technique.

The Illusion of the Long Plant Stride

First and foremost, it is important to note that the perception of Simon’s “long plant stride” may be somewhat misleading. While it may appear that he takes a long stride during his throw, it is actually a result of spending more time accelerating over his drive leg. This acceleration sets up torque in the hips and allows for a compact and reflexive swing of the leg. Sidewinder, a prominent figure in the disc golf community, refers to this sweeping move as the “crush.” The key here is to focus on the drive leg and the torque generated in the hips, rather than the apparent length of the stride.

The Importance of Stagger and Alignment

Joel Freeman, another respected disc golfer, emphasizes the significance of stagger and alignment in the plant. In a video, he highlights a simple trick that can greatly improve a player’s form. Simon incorporates this trick effectively as he transitions off his drive leg in the x-step, resulting in a larger movement compared to most players. It is important to note that the degree of stagger and the alignment of heels, toes, and knees can vary depending on a player’s body type and their ability to generate leverage off the rear leg.

Comparing Simon to Other Players

To better understand Simon’s form for generating disc golf distance, it is helpful to compare his technique to that of other players. Take, for example, Eagle McMahon, who is known for his long and horizontal form. Eagle tends to stretch out horizontally and lands in a more door-frame-like position. In contrast, Simon’s form involves a more staggered and closed landing. Sidewinder developed a drill, known as the Door Frame, to maximize learning the mechanics that are exaggerated in this direction. By comparing different players and shot types, we can appreciate the variations in form and the impact they have on the throw.

The Relationship between Stagger, Leg Sweep Patterns, Knees, Toes, and Power

Now let’s examine the relationship between stagger, leg sweep patterns, knees, toes, and the power generated in Simon’s form. Here are some observations:

1. Simon’s drive toe is initially mostly in line with his drive foot early in the stride, after his drive heel has passed over his plant toe. This alignment helps to maintain closed hips heading into the plant.
2. There is a significant out-in-out sweep off the rear leg by the time Simon plants, resulting in a pronounced staggered-closed landing. The final vector from the rear toe to the front heel is much steeper than the early vector.
3. As Simon’s plant leg starts to clear his front hip and the disc swings into the pocket, the disc follows an “out-in-out” pattern. This means that the disc is about to experience a greater redirection force than if it were parallel to the stride vectors.
4. The curve that the leg takes into the plant is nearly identical to the one the disc takes in the redirect, effectively unloading the torque built up in the backswing into the release.
5. The final trajectory of the disc is closer to the initial heel-toe alignment of the “Early stride vector.” This observation aligns with the lessons learned from the Door Frame Drill, suggesting that the stride move can vary among players as long as the rear knee swings in under and behind following the primary force vector of the disc trajectory after release.

Analyzing the Form in Detail

Let’s take a closer look at some interesting aspects of Simon’s form:

• The yellow line in the final image represents the amount of torque built up in the stride when landing with the final plant stagger relative to the early stride alignment. This line serves as a measure of the torque generated during the stride, assuming the move off the rear leg is clean.
• The initial “out-in” move of the disc into the pocket is sharper than the stride vector, setting up the confrontation into the body before the redirect.
• Interestingly, the start and endpoint of the final arc the disc takes before release align with the “final stride vector.” This alignment suggests a strong relationship between the leg sweep, staggered closed plant, and the axis of the torque force.

The Efficiency of Simon’s Mechanics

Despite the ongoing debates and arguments, the mechanics of Simon’s form are not overly complicated. His mechanical efficiency and advantages allow him to generate impressive distance with minimal effort. When he adds momentum and effort to his throw, it only amplifies the power he derives from his clean mechanics. This is why you may hear grunts from Simon when he goes all out for maximum distance. However, if you observe how his form scales in the Overthrow montage or elsewhere, you can see that he is continuously improving his momentum transfer. This improvement enables him to unleash even more force on top of the already formidable power generated from his efficient mechanics.

The Importance of Levers and Balanced Flexibility

In analyzing Simon’s form, it is crucial to understand the significance of levers and balanced flexibility. Simon’s form demonstrates exquisite balanced flexibility and posture, resembling someone riding a bull in transition. This combination of levers and balance allows him to maximize his form’s potential.

Anatomical Considerations and Options for Maximum Distance

Anatomically, if you want to achieve long throws like Simon, your body type may offer you some options. You can either stretch tall and vertical or get compact and horizontal, or possibly find a balance in between. However, it is important to consider relative proportions, joint structure, and other factors that may influence your form. Here are some key points to note:

• Many top players tend to become increasingly more horizontal over time, although passing through a more vertical phase can teach valuable lessons about mastering momentum.
• If you have a lean and long body type like Simon, you can generate torque and separation through a sweeping plant stride, leveraging your levers and maintaining balance.
• For most players, finding and working with the available stagger and postures is essential. Other aspects of your form may influence the stagger, and it may require practice to achieve the desired balance and leverage, especially when incorporating momentum into the throw.

The Importance of Learning to Move Well

Ultimately, the goal for any disc golfer should be to improve their form and maximize their power potential. This involves two key aspects:

1. Moving well: It is crucial to develop proper movement mechanics, ensuring that each component of the throw is executed efficiently and effectively.
2. Learning to move well for power: Once you have established a solid foundation of movement mechanics, you can then focus on generating power safely and effectively with momentum. Piling on effort without a strong foundation may hinder your progress. Therefore, prioritize developing good form and then build upon that foundation with increased effort.

While it is unlikely that many people will throw a disc with the same speed and skill as Simon, there is still much to learn and appreciate from his technique. By analyzing the mechanics and intricacies of his form, we can gain valuable insights and improve our own game. So let’s continue to watch and learn from Simon as he pushes the boundaries of disc golf distance records.

Photo Credit: DGPT