Human Freestyle, or playing creative catch with Flow, is an indespensible tool for improving throwing and presentation skills. The fast track to playing like a pro consists of a good deal of Human Freestyle.
Human Freestyle is any game of catch with a human where , style and creativity are the key components of the game. When playing, the players work to smoothly and creatively make unique throw and catch combinations. Throwing on the run, varied releases, spins, accuracy, creativity; all of these abilities are enhanced through Human Freestyle.
When we play catch, we can catch the disc in one of two places: high or low. These two possible hand positions on catch will dictate the release of the return throw:
Keeping the grip from catch allows the player to smoothly and efficiently return the disc to his partner in a creative manner. Normal fluctuations in accuracy of even the best throwers create dynamic learning experiences for players. These dynamic learning experiences allow a player to start to create a style.
After playing human freestyle for a while, a player will notice that there are several moves that are comfortable for them. These comfortable moves will become nearly reflexive because the body has developed a smooth pattern and likes to follow that pattern if possible. The cool thing is that these smooth patterns that we all will develop as we play human freestyle are distinctly ours. A player will look cool and confident if they use these smooth patterns in their discdog game. The more the game is played the more patterns are developed, the more patterns that are developed, the more smooth, natural movements that can be simply be dropped into a routine.
Not only are these natural body movements created through this game, but they are developed and proofed on the fly. Learning is fast, effective and evolves because of all the variation that a game of catch offers.
Having a stationary target that is capable of giving feedback on throws helps with accuracy. With no superhuman canine exploits to make you look good, your accuracy and precision will improve as you gather your own feedback and receive the feedback of your partner.
There is no doubt that the physical benefits of Human Freestyle are numerous and great, but it is the mental benefit that may be of the most importance to players.
Playing catch like this, smooth and efficient, with creativity leaves not much room for the brain to think about all of the technical aspects of each release. This is a huge benefit for almost all players, as trying to perform a varied release is usually accompanied by a mental littany of technical points that only make a natural throw impossible. Placing the emphasis on smooth efficient transitions, then relying on the natural patterns that develop take the mind out of the equation. The benefits of removing the mind from learning to throw cannot be stressed enough.