Reading the Wind: Adapting Your Throws

Reading the Wind: Adapting Your Throws

In Ultimate Frisbee, one of the external factors that most affects our game is the wind. Whether you are a novice player or a veteran of Disckatus Madrid, understanding how to interpret the wind and adjust your throwing technique can make the difference between an effective pass and a disc lost in the air. In this chapter, we will explore the most common types of wind —headwind, tailwind, and crosswind— and how they influence the flight of the disc. You will also learn how to modify the angle of your disc using techniques like hyzer and anhyzer, and how to make smart decisions during the game based on reading the wind.

1. The Importance of Reading the Wind

The wind is an unpredictable element that can completely transform the dynamics of an Ultimate game. Learning to read the wind not only allows you to adjust your throws to be more accurate, but also helps you anticipate how the discs thrown by your teammates and opponents will behave. At Disckatus Madrid, during the training sessions we hold on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Orcasur Sports Center, we pay special attention to this aspect, since the wind is an invisible opponent we must master to optimize our performance.

According to USA Ultimate, the ability to adapt to wind conditions is a skill that distinguishes advanced players. Therefore, we will delve into the different types of wind and how each affects the flight of your disc.

2. Types of Wind and Their Impact on Disc Flight

We can classify the wind into three main types according to its direction relative to our throw:

• Headwind: The wind blows directly towards you, facing you.
• Tailwind: The wind blows in the same direction as your throw, helping the disc move forward.
• Crosswind: The wind blows perpendicular to the throw, from left to right or vice versa.

2.1 Headwind

When you face a headwind, the disc experiences greater resistance. This causes the disc to lose speed quickly and generally tends to rise excessively and fall sooner than expected, or even flip over if not thrown correctly.

In this situation, it is advisable to adjust the disc angle and the throwing force. Often, a throw that is too flat or weak will not overcome the wind resistance.

2.2 Tailwind

Unlike the headwind, the tailwind pushes the disc forward. This can cause the disc to travel farther than expected and lose stability if the throw is not properly adjusted. The tailwind tends to flatten the disc's trajectory, making the throwing mechanics faster and more direct.

2.3 Crosswind

The crosswind is one of the most complex challenges. The lateral wind can significantly deflect the disc, causing it to drift to one side and putting the accuracy of the pass at risk. To counteract this, it is necessary to adjust the disc angle and anticipate the lateral effect of the wind.

Ultimate HQ emphasizes that lateral wind requires fine control of the angle and spin so that the disc stays on the desired line.

3. Technical Adjustments: Disc Angle and Hyzer and Anhyzer Throws

To control the flight of the disc under different wind conditions, it is essential to master two basic concepts of disc angle in throwing: hyzer and anhyzer.

3.1 What is Hyzer?

Hyzer is a tilt of the disc downward and outward (for a right-handed player with a backhand throw, the edge of the disc is tilted downward to the left). This angle causes the disc to curve toward that side during flight.

Hyzer is especially useful to counteract the effect of lateral wind or tailwind when you want the disc to maintain a controlled curved trajectory.

3.2 What is Anhyzer?

Anhyzer is the opposite tilt: the edge of the disc is tilted upward and inward (for a right-handed player with a backhand, the disc tilts to the right). This makes the disc curve toward the opposite side of hyzer.

Anhyzer is used to throw passes that must cross open spaces or to counteract headwind, as it allows the disc to maintain a straighter trajectory or curve in the desired direction.

3.3 Applying Hyzer and Anhyzer According to the Wind

• Headwind: Use a throw with a flatter angle or a slight anhyzer to prevent the disc from rising too much and losing stability.
• Tailwind: A controlled hyzer throw can help the disc not deviate too much and maintain a predictable trajectory.
• Crosswind: Compensate for the wind by adjusting the angle (hyzer or anhyzer depending on the direction of the lateral wind) so the disc maintains the desired trajectory.

4. How to Read the Wind on the Field

Reading the wind is not just about looking at the sky or feeling it on your face. Here are some methods and tips to identify the wind direction and strength before and during the game:

4.1 Observe Natural Elements

• Notice the movement of trees, bushes, or grass around the field.
• Observe the displacement of leaves or dust on the ground.

4.2 Pay Attention to the Disc Flight

During warm-up or the first throws, observe how the disc behaves. Does it drift to one side? Does it lose height quickly? This will give you clues about the wind direction and strength.

4.3 Use Environmental Signals

• If there are lakes or fountains nearby, observe the direction of the waves or foam.
• If there are flags or signs at the sports center, use them to determine the dominant wind.

4.4 Take Advantage of Technology

There are mobile apps that measure wind direction and speed in real time. Consulting them can be very useful to decide the appropriate type of throw.

5. Practical Exercises to Improve Your Wind Reading and Adaptation

At Disckatus Madrid, during the Monday and Wednesday training sessions at the Orcasur Sports Center, we dedicate time to practicing these skills with specific exercises that will help you evolve as an adaptive thrower.

Exercise 1: Precision Throwing in Variable Wind

• Objective: Improve control of hyzer and anhyzer angles under different wind conditions.
• Procedure: Mark two targets at different distances and varied lines. Perform 10 throws to each target under natural wind conditions.
• Variation: Change the disc angle (hyzer, anhyzer, flat) and throwing force to observe which is the best combination for each type of wind.
• Recommendation: Record yourself on video to analyze technique and the effect of the wind on each throw.

Exercise 2: Moving Pass with Crosswind

• Objective: Practice throws in dynamic situations with crosswind.
• Procedure: Form pairs and stand facing each other at a distance of 15 to 20 meters. One player throws and the other moves laterally, simulating evasions in real play.
• Variation: The receiver must adjust their position anticipating the disc deviations caused by the wind.
• Recommendation: Switch sides to get used to throwing both with lateral wind from right to left and from left to right.

Exercise 3: Wind Reading Game in Teams

• Objective: Foster communication and quick decision-making based on wind reading.
• Procedure: Divide the team into groups of 5-7 players. Play short rounds (game to 5 points) where each pass must be a throw adapted to the wind, communicating the strategy beforehand.
• Variation: Allow a coach or a specialized player to act as wind referee, signaling changing conditions and challenges.
• Recommendation: At the end, analyze which adjustments worked best and which need improvement.

6. Advanced Tips for Disckatus Madrid Players

• Trust your technique, but be flexible: Not all throws should be adjusted the same way to the wind; sometimes, an aggressive throw can surprise the opponent.
• Use different types of throws: Besides backhand, try forehand, hammer, or scoober to better adapt to wind conditions.
• Train on windy days: Often we avoid training when it's windy, but those days will help you improve faster.
• Communicate with your team: At Disckatus Madrid, we maintain constant communication to alert about wind changes and adjust strategies.
• Learn from others: Consult resources like USA Ultimate, WikiHow, and Ultimate HQ to deepen your knowledge and see visual examples of throws in wind.

7. Resources and References to Keep Learning

• USA Ultimate: Official organization with detailed guides and videos on throwing techniques and wind reading.
• WikiHow - How to Throw a Frisbee: Step-by-step guides for different types of throws.
• Ultimate HQ: Platform with articles and tutorials on advanced skills and strategies.

Conclusion

Reading the wind and adapting your throws is a skill acquired through practice, observation, and patience. At Disckatus Madrid, we encourage you to take advantage of every training session at the Orcasur Sports Center to experiment with different conditions and techniques. Remember that every gust of wind is an opportunity to improve your game and become a more complete and confident thrower.

Don't fear the wind, learn to master it and become a true Ultimate Frisbee hero!

📚 Sources and Inspiration: This article was inspired by educational resources from USA Ultimate, WikiHow, Ultimate Frisbee HQ, FrisbeeThrows.com, and the collective experience of the Ultimate community. We especially thank the authors and coaches who share their knowledge to help this sport grow.