GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS
RHBH - Right Hand Backhand Throw - All INNOVA flight descriptions
are based on players throwing right-handed with a back hand style.
LHBH - Left Hand Backhand Throw – Reverse the RHBH
flight characteristics.
RHFH - Right Hand Forehand Throw – Reverse the RHBH
flight characteristics.
LHFH - Left Hand Forehand Throw – Same flight characteristics
as a RHBH throw.DESCRIBING FLIGHT
Stable - The tendency of a disc to remain straight through
most of the flight.
Understable/Turnover - The tendency of a disc to turn to
the right during the high speed portion of the flight for a RHBH thrower.
Overstable - The tendency of a disc to turn to the left
at high or low speeds for a RHBH thrower.
Hyzer - Is an angle of release where the outside edge or left edge
of the disc is tilted downward for a RHBH thrower.
Anhyzer - Is an angle of release where the outside edge
or left edge of the disc is tilted upward for a RHBH thrower.
GRIPS
Backhand Grip - A grip with the thumb on the flight plate and the
fingers curled under the disc with one or more finger pads pressed against
the rim. Palm is in the handshaking position. There are many variations.
Two Finger/Sidearm/Forehand Grip - A grip where the palm
is up and the thumb is on the flight plate while the index and middle fingers
are underneath the disc with one or both fingers pressed against the rim.
There are many variations.
Hook Thumb Grip - A grip in which the thumb pad is hooked
on the inside of the rim and the rim is squeezed between the thumb pad and
the crook of the index finger. The index knuckle is on the top of the outside
rim. Hand position resembles using a disposable lighter.
Thumber Grip - A grip in which the entire thumb, from base
to thumb pad, is on the inside rim and all four fingers are on top of the
disc. Used primarily for Thumber Rollers.
SHOTS
Escape Shot - A shot used to get out of a poor lie or tough situation.
Usually these shots are verticals or rollers because it is extremely difficult
to throw a normal backhand or sidearm shot.
Touch/Finesse Shot – These are floating shots used
for accuracy in tricky situations.
Power Shots – These are shots where high speed is
employed to go over, around or through obstacles.
Go For Shot – A risky shot usually thrown from the
fairway to land in the basket rather than next to it.
Approach/Lay up Shot – A safe shot thrown to land
next to the basket rather than into it.
Fairway Shot – A drive or very long approach shot
from the fairway designed to advance closer to the target or land next
to the target from a distance.
Roller – A throw where most of the distance comes
from rolling the disc on the ground rather than flying through the air.
Can be done with a backhand grip, sidearm/forehand grip, thumber grip,
hook thumb grip or scooby grip. Different grips produce different rolling
patterns for different situations.
Cut Roller -A roller shot that never turns on its back
as most rollers do.
Overhead Shot – Any shot thrown vertically or with
an overhead baseball throwing motion.
Tomahawk Shot – A vertical/overhead shot resembling
the chop of a tomahawk. Discs are usually held with a two finger grip or
hook thumb grips.
Scooby Shot– Using a backhand grip, hold the underside
of the disc vertically next to your right ear and throw for a RHBH thrower.
Spike Hyzer – A shot thrown high with an extreme
hyzer angle to land vertically.
Flex Shot – The Flex Shot is preformed by throwing
and overstable disc with an anhyzer angle of release down the left side
of the fairway (for RHBH thrower). The disc travels from left to right
then the natural overstability of the disc and gravity turn the disc back
to the left. It is a very reliable shot that pros use.
Hyzer Flip – The Hyzer Flip is very similar to an
S-shot but follows a straighter line. An understable disc is thrown very
fast with a hyzer angle of release. The disc will naturally turn or “flip” and
bring its nose down in the process. This allows for a long straight glide.
S-Shot – This shot is thrown using an understable
disc to the left side of the fairway. The natural turn of the disc causes
the disc to turn over and fly to the right side of the fairway. As the
disc slows down it will fade back to the left.
OTHER
TERMS
150 Class – A class of discs weighing up to 150 grams. These
discs usually weigh from 145 grams up to 150 grams but may be much lighter.
These are the only class of discs approved for play in Japan.
PUTTING
TERMS GLOSSARY
Putt – Any throw from within 10 meters or less, as measured
from the rear of the marker disc to the base of the hole is considered
a putt. A player may not advance beyond the marker disc until disc is at
rest and player has successfully demonstrated full control of balance.
Holing Out – This is a successful putt/shot that
comes to rest suspended in the chains or at rest in the basket tray.
Straddle Putt – A putting position where the player
and both fee are facing forward. The feet are generally spread shoulder
width apart or farther and equidistant to the target.
Jump Putt – A putt where the player pushes off the
ground with the lead foot at the time of release. Generally performed when
a player is more than 10 meters from the basket so they can move forward
of the marker disc after release and not be penalized for making a “falling
putt”.
Falling Putt - A follow though after a putt where the
player advances forward of the rear edge of the marker disc. If the player
doesn’t
demonstrate full control of balance before advancing toward the hole it
will result in a stance violation. Players receive a warning for the first
violation and all subsequent violations in the same round will incur a
one stroke penalty, plus the player must re-throw from the lie.
Spit Out - Also known as a Bounce Back or Kick Out– When
a putt hits the chains solidly on target and the putt bounces out of the
target instead of staying in the chains or dropping into the basket.
Blow-Through - Also known as a Cut-Through – Where
a putt hits the chain assembly and proceeds to slip through all the chains
and out the other side of the target and onto the ground.
Sweet Spot – That area of the target where a player
can aim with confidence knowing the putt will stay in the chains or drop
nicely into the basket. The Sweet Spot is different for different players
and different putting styles.
Turbo Putt – Also known as a Push Putt - A grip/throwing
style where the disc is held with the fingers on the rim of the disc and
“pushed” with enough spin to carry to the target. The disc is
held above the player’s shoulders and is thrown much like a football.
Most generally used for short shots and putting when there are tall objects
between the lie and the target.
Go For – When a player purposefully tries to get
an approach shot or long putt into the basket. This shot must be high enough
and travel far enough to actually make it to the basket. Missing this shot
often requires a “Come Back Putt.” See below
Come Back Putt – This is when an approach or missed
putt has gone beyond the basket and the player has to make long putt or
second putt to complete the hole.
Lay up – When a player chooses to purposely not go in the
target but instead right under or next to the target in an effort not to
jeopardize going too far and having to make a come back putt. This shot
generally ensures the next shot will go in with little effort.
Hyzer Putt – A backhand putt (when performed by
a right handed player) that travels from right to left towards the target.
Can also refer to the angle of the release where the putter is tilted with
the right side of the disc raised at an angle above the left side.
Floater – A putting style where the putter is thrown with
the nose up or at an increased altitude to float into the chains.
Bullet or Jam– A putt which uses speed to make the disc
go straight. If this putt misses the basket it can cause a long come back
putt. This type of putt is prone to blow-throughs and spit backs.
Wedge Putt – A putt that comes to rest wedged into the side
of the basket. This is a successful putt as long the putt remains suspended
in the basket assembly long enough for player to retrieve the shot.
DROT – Acronym meaning Disc Resting On Top – This is
where a disc comes to rest on top of the basket. This does not count as
“holing out” and the player must mark the lie and take another
shot to complete the hole.
Sweep – When the disc drops into the basket tray and proceeds
to sweep through or bounce up and over the rim and onto the ground.
Tournament Roll – During a tournament round putts seemingly
take on different characteristics. Discs will tend to spit back, blow through
or hit part of the target and roll much farther away than the original
lie.
Doink – The horrible sound a disc makes when it
crashes into the side of the basket before falling to the ground.
Wus – A weak putt that has no chance to go in the
basket, not to be confused with a lay up.
For more terms used in other flying disc sports, visit our Flying
Disc Sports Glossary.
