Make Sure You’re Practicing Stand Stills!

You need to be practicing your stand stills.

From time to time, I see advice in online forums and Facebook groups that suggests you shouldn’t focus on stand still throws or practice them at all.

That they can actually set you back and ruin your form improvement journey.

The reasoning makes sense at first glance.

When you compare a throw with a run-up to one without, the form does look completely different.

The brace plays a major role, and the snap you generate in the throw is nearly always stronger with a run-up.

Despite this, stand stills deserve your attention because they are a crucial part of your game that you will use almost every round.

So why avoid practicing them?

Why Stand Stills Matter in Your Game

On the course, you will often face situations where a run-up is impossible.

Maybe the lie is tight to brush or hazard, or the terrain is uneven, forcing you to throw from a standstill.

Additionally, sometimes you can use your usual footwork, but other times you cannot.

This means you need to be comfortable and confident with many different situations and foot placements.

If stand still throws are part of your game and they look and feel different from throws with a run-up, it makes sense to practice them regularly.

Ignoring stand stills can leave you unprepared for these moments.

Practicing them helps you develop muscle memory and control, so you don’t lose strokes when the situation demands it.

It also helps you understand how to adjust your body and release to get the best possible throw when needed.

Adjusting Your Form for Stand Stills

When you practice stand still throws, you’ll first need to pay attention to your shoulder alignment.

Typically, your lead shoulder lines up with your target line during a run-up throw.

For stand stills however, you might need to open up a bit more and expose your chest toward the target.

This adjustment helps compensate for the reduced power since you won’t have the momentum from a run-up. The momentum that is usually responsible for the disc ripping out of your hand.

Another key difference is how you release the disc.

With a run-up, you often rely on the snap of the throw to propel the disc and not actually opening your hand.

When standing still, you might need to do the opposite and open your hand and physically release the disc instead of snapping it out.

This can feel unfamiliar at first, but it’s essential for accuracy and control.

Footwork and bracing may also change.

You may find that your stance is wider or your brace is not as noticeable without the forward momentum.

Experiment with different positions to find what feels stable and effective for you.

Your stand still throw might end up looking quite different from your run-up throw, and that’s okay.

With all of these things, they may even change depending on how much power you’re putting into the throw.

How you aim your shoulder, release the disc, and rely on the brace will all change depending on if you’re throwing an approach shot with touch, a max power stand still, and everything inbetween.

Incorporating Stand Stills into Practice

Don’t just dedicate separate sessions to stand stills, but weave them into your warm-up routine as well.

They are an excellent way to get your arm ready for throwing while also sharpening your control and accuracy.

Start with shorter distances and gradually increase power as your arm feels ready.

At times, also try mixing stand still throws with run-up throws during practice.

This approach helps you switch smoothly between the two styles that you’ll need to use during a round.

For example, after warming up with some standing throws and working up to run-up throws, spend some time focusing on stand stills at various distances.

Towards the end of your dedicated standstill practice sessions, work in some run up throws and see how you can transition back and forth.

Notice how your body feels and how the disc flies differently.

Final Thoughts

Even if they don’t get as much attention as your standard throws with a run up, stand stills are an essential skill that you will use regularly.

They require different mechanics, from shoulder alignment to release technique and footwork.

Practicing them not only prepares you for tricky course situations but also improves your overall throwing control.

Make stand stills a regular part of your practice and warm-up.

This simple habit will pay off during your rounds, helping you handle any lie or situation with confidence.

The next time you’re on the course, you’ll be glad you put in the work to master them!

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