What is a corkscrew in Ultimate Frisbee?

• A. A Corkscrew That Curves Twice Forming a Double-Helix
• B. A Hammer That Curves Once
• C. A Backhand
• D. An Out-of-Bounds Throw

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the flight path of a corkscrew throw. A corkscrew isn’t just about bending left or right like a regular forehand or backhand; it travels in a spiraling, helical path through the air. The disc twists as it flies, so its trajectory can resemble a double-helix—a curl that involves more than a single bend. That distinctive spiraling flight is what sets a corkscrew apart from standard throws.

So why the other options aren’t the best fit? A hammer is an overhead throw that travels on a high arc with a different orientation of the disc, not this vertical, twisting spiral. A backhand is a more typical sidearm-style throw with a flatter flight path. An out-of-bounds throw refers to where the disc lands or travels, not to a specific flight pattern. The corkscrew’s defining feature is that helical, double-helix-like flight path, which is captured by describing it as a corkscrew that curves twice.