How to Throw a Flex Shot: Disc Golf's Most Versatile S-Curve

How to Throw a Flex Shot: Disc Golf's Most Versatile S-Curve

If the hyzer flip is disc golf's straight-line power shot, the flex shot is its artistic counterpart. A well-executed flex shot produces a sweeping S-curve — the disc turns right, then flexes back left — that can navigate obstacles, attack tucked pin positions, and cover ground that no straight shot can reach. It's one of the most satisfying shots in the sport to master. Here's exactly how to throw it.

What Is a Flex Shot?

A flex shot is thrown on an anhyzer angle (outside edge tilted up) with an overstable disc. The disc initially turns right due to the anhyzer release, then as it slows down, its overstability kicks in and it "flexes" back left, finishing with a fade.

The result is an S-curve flight path: right, then left. The shape, distance, and timing of the curve depend on how overstable the disc is, how steep the anhyzer angle is, and how hard you throw.

This is the mirror image of the hyzer flip — where a hyzer flip uses an understable disc on hyzer to fly straight, a flex shot uses an overstable disc on anhyzer to produce a controlled S-curve.

Why the Flex Shot Is So Useful

The flex shot solves problems that straight shots and hyzer shots can't:

  • Right-to-left doglegs — the disc turns right around the corner, then fades back left toward the basket
  • Tucked right-side pin positions — approach the basket from the right side with a controlled left finish
  • Getting around left-side obstacles — the initial right turn clears the obstacle, the fade brings it home
  • Maximum distance with control — the S-curve keeps the disc in the air longer than a straight fade, adding distance
  • Headwind shots — an overstable disc on anhyzer in a headwind can produce a surprisingly straight flight as the wind and the disc's fade cancel each other out

Step-by-Step: How to Throw a Flex Shot

Step 1: Choose the Right Disc

The flex shot requires an overstable disc — one with a Fade of 3 or higher and a Turn of 0 or positive. The overstability is what creates the flex back left after the initial right turn.

The right amount of overstability depends on how steep your anhyzer angle is and how hard you throw:

Step 2: Set Your Anhyzer Angle

At release, the outside edge of the disc (left edge for RHBH) should be tilted upward — this is the anhyzer angle. The steeper the anhyzer, the more the disc turns right before flexing back.

  • Mild anhyzer (10–20 degrees): Gentle right turn, subtle flex back left — good for slight doglegs and controlled approaches
  • Moderate anhyzer (20–35 degrees): Clear right turn, strong flex back left — the standard flex shot shape
  • Steep anhyzer (35–45 degrees): Dramatic right turn, powerful flex — requires a very overstable disc to flex back reliably

Start with a mild anhyzer and work your way steeper as you get comfortable with the shot shape.

Step 3: Aim Left of Your Target

This is the part that feels counterintuitive at first. Because the disc is going to turn right before flexing left, you need to aim left of where you want the disc to finish. How far left depends on how much right turn your disc and angle will produce.

A useful starting point: aim at the left edge of the fairway and let the disc flex back to the center. As you get comfortable, you'll develop an intuitive feel for where to aim based on the disc and angle you're using.

Step 4: Throw with Full Power

Unlike the hyzer flip, the flex shot benefits from more power. More arm speed means the disc turns right more aggressively before the overstability kicks in, producing a more dramatic and useful S-curve. Throwing too soft means the disc never turns right and just fades left immediately — which is just a hyzer shot, not a flex.

Key form cues:

  • Keep the nose down — a high nose on an anhyzer release causes the disc to climb, stall, and crash
  • Follow through on the anhyzer plane — your arm should finish high and to the right
  • Commit to the angle — half-hearted anhyzer releases produce unpredictable flights

Step 5: Read the Flex

After release, a successful flex shot looks like this:

  1. The disc leaves your hand on an anhyzer angle, heading right of your target
  2. At high speed, the disc continues right (turn phase)
  3. As the disc slows, the overstability kicks in and the disc begins to flex back left (fade phase)
  4. The disc finishes left of where it was at peak turn, ideally landing on or near your target

Common Flex Shot Mistakes

Mistake What Happens Fix
Disc not overstable enough Turns right and never flexes back Use a more overstable disc (higher Fade)
Disc too overstable Never turns right, just fades left immediately Use a less overstable disc or steepen the anhyzer
Throwing too soft Disc fades immediately without turning right Add more power to activate the turn phase
High nose at release Disc climbs, stalls, crashes Keep nose down, pull through cleanly
Aiming at the target Disc finishes left of target Aim left of target to account for the flex
Inconsistent anhyzer angle Unpredictable S-curve shape Practice the release angle until it's repeatable

Flex Shot vs. Hyzer Flip: Knowing Which to Use

Shot Disc Type Release Angle Flight Shape Best For
Hyzer Flip Understable Hyzer Left → Straight Long straight shots, tight corridors
Flex Shot Overstable Anhyzer Right → Left (S-curve) Doglegs, tucked pins, around obstacles

Together, these two shots give you control over the full width of any fairway. The hyzer flip gets you straight distance; the flex shot gets you around corners.

Practice Drill: The Flex Ladder

Mirror the hyzer flip ladder, but in reverse:

  1. Start with your most overstable disc and a mild anhyzer angle. Find the power level that produces a clean S-curve.
  2. Once consistent, try a steeper anhyzer angle with the same disc. Notice how the right turn becomes more dramatic.
  3. Then try a less overstable disc at the same angle. Notice how the flex back left becomes less pronounced.

This drill teaches you to feel the relationship between disc stability, anhyzer angle, and power — the three variables that shape every flex shot.

Shop Overstable Discs for Flex Shots

Ready to add the flex shot to your arsenal? Browse our full selection of overstable midranges and drivers at Gotta Go Gotta Throw Disc Golf Warehouse. Every disc listing includes flight numbers so you can find exactly the right Fade rating for your flex shot game.

Also check out these related guides:

— GGGT Staff
Tagged: 2026 advanced disc golf tips flex shot guide intermediate overstable S-curve shot shaping technique
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