Fundamentals of Beach Style PlayFundamentals of Beach Style Play
By Skippy Jammer
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Beach Play offers some unique opportunities that grass or gym play do not. Due to it's esoteric nature, an esoteric style developed over time. This style of play surprisingly offers itself to other mediums. You are able to apply skills and plays best suited for the beach in grass or gym play with only a fair amount of practice.
CuffingThe most important aspect of beach play is the ability to control the angle of the disc relative to the wind. The best way to do this is by "cuffing". Practice this by revving the disc up at a steep angle. If it is spinning clockwise, gently lift the disc with the back of your hand until it is fairly flat. Practice until you can keep a fair amount of spin on the disc. An expert can cuff the disc quickly and lose little of the spin.
Another way to control the angle of the disc is "cupping" the disc. To do toss the disc up on a steep angle with moderate z's. Cup your hand like you would to hold water in the palm of your hand. let the disc settle into your hand by placing your fingers on the underside of the rim. Let the disc settle into your hand as you lift and push windward with the proper angle. This is a great way to set the disc.
After you've gotten comfortable with angle maintenance, you can move onto some of the different types of air brushes. The standard form of airbrushing is as follows. (I use the examples for clock play, reverse the order to assimilate counter play). If the disc is chest high to head high on your left side bash it with the left hand. The best way to do this is to set your feet like you are returning a backhand in tennis. put your weight on your rear (left) foot and shift your weight to the front foot as you swipe at the disc. If it is on the right side, brush it from right to left. If the disc is below chest level a similar approach is required. For the left side, pop the disc by brushing your hand from your hip outwards. For the right side, drop your weight to your rear foot and shift your weight to the front as you brush the disc. Practice makes perfect. These are the fundamental building blocks of beach play. Soon you will be able to put lots of z's on the disc and you're off and running.
On the higher end of play for beach style, experts use what ever means they can short of grabbing the disc to achieve the desired end results. Many of these techniques require high amounts of spin as well as a deft touch. Don't be discouraged if at first you don't succeed. Some of the methods used are as follows. Stalls. A stall is similar to the Cup but without the cupped hand and fingers. A stall is usually done with the back or front of the hand. Either way works. Practice trying to keep the disc spinning with your hand directly in line with the wind direction. When the disc starts to run out of spin, push it out into the wind and continue play. A Bump is a handy method of doing restricted moves. It's applications are enormous in scope. Again, high amounts of spin are required. To bump the disc, approach the disc as you normally would if you were going to brush it. Instead of brushing it however, simply bump it. Here's a good example of when to use a bump. The disc is coming in a the proper angle for a behind the back catch, instead of catching it (boring) or brushing it (too difficult at times) bump it back into the wind. Slides. A slide can be used to get funky with the disc. Ever hear of the reverse chest roll? It's when either you and/or the disc is wet and you "roll" it the opposite way along your arms. When it gets to the end, roll it back the other way. Abbreviated versions of the same thing are used more often, like along the forearm etc. Rides. Here's a classic beach or wind maneuver as old as...well, there I go dating myself again and I'm not even that good looking. Set the disc into the wind at a proper angle in relation to the wind direction and velocity. Place your fingernails directly behind the disc and let the disc settle onto the nails. Let the disc stay there as long as you can before pushing it out to continue play. Guides. Guides are pretty much the same as Stalls but with greater intent on where you are setting the disc.
Another very important component used in beach play is the basic chest roll. In traditional jamming, the chest roll is used primarily as a set to a catch. In beach style play, the chest roll is used as a means to an end. What I mean by that is it is used as a tool. Chest rolls are used in beach play as a pass, similar to basketball. Some examples of chest rolls are used is a set to another persons catch, a set to a unique air brush position of to help start a play.
The most difficult part of beach play is controlling the disc. That's what makes it so unique and inspiring when it's done correctly. Here's what to practice. Set the disc up for an air brush. Practice brushing left to right and then right to left. You would be amazed at how many "World Class" freestylers are devoid of these skills. Get a partner and practice this together until you can handle both directions. Also practice backtracking and then going forward. If you've mastered all of these, practice brushing "around the world" by going in a complete circle with using the nail delay.
The next article will focus on beach plays and advanced play for beach environments.
"Live to shred, shred to Live"
SJ