In the straddle putt you stand wide and square to the basket, good around obstacles. Stance, rules, balance, common mistakes and milestones.
The honest answer: the straddle putt is a putt from a wide, parallel stance in which you face the basket square on instead of stepping forward. A club handout from Graz lists it as an alternative to the step stance: it is especially needed when an obstacle lies between putting position and basket and you must dodge sideways. One foot must always be behind the previous disc position; it is also common as a standard putt, so try out what suits you [1].
The straddle is not a trick but a variant with the same rules as any putt. How hard is it? You need balance and a secure understanding of the rules, because the stance sits close to the rules boundary. There is no timeline.
The lie is a rectangle 20 cm wide and 30 cm deep, lying behind the rear edge of the marker disc on the line of play [2]. At release you need at least one supporting point in the lie, no supporting point closer to the target than the rear edge of the marker disc, and all supporting points in-bounds [4]. For the straddle that means: both feet stand level with the marker disc or behind it, never in front.
Milestone: You explain to a fellow player where your feet may stand relative to the marker disc.
Stand with feet wide and parallel, square to the basket (practice; the handout gives no foot distances). Distribute the weight evenly and bend the knees a little. The Graz handout names as an advantage: you can dodge sideways around an obstacle [1].
The recommended putting grip: index finger under the outer rim, middle finger stretched toward the disc centre to support the disc from below [1]. The head looks to the basket, the arm has a slight bend [1].
Milestone: Your grip looks the same on three phone photos.
Take the disc centrally backwards almost to the body (below the hip), turn it slightly counter-clockwise (wrist flexion) and accelerate it briskly and centrally toward the basket [1]. The weight moves forward, with a push from the legs [1]. At the end the throwing arm is extended ("give the basket a handshake") [1].
Within 10 m, after the putt you must first demonstrate full control of balance behind the marker disc before advancing toward the basket [5]. The Rules School video explains: you only have to demonstrate balance, not maintain it; you may shuffle your feet, you may fall sideways or backwards [3]. The putt still counts, but a stance violation costs a penalty throw [3].
Milestone: Ten putts from 5 m: you show balance on each, and at least seven go in (practice measure).
Put a water bottle between you and the basket and go around it sideways. The straddle helps you putt around it, as long as the disc still reaches the basket.
Choose the straddle not on principle but when an obstacle is in the way or you stand more securely in the straddle. The Graz handout names both: obstacle and standard putt, and advises trying out which style suits you better [1]. A putting style you repeat in a controlled way beats the "right" one.
A putt from a wide, parallel stance, square to the basket [1]. It is used especially when an obstacle lies between you and the basket, and can also be a standard putt [1].
Yes, as long as the stance complies with the rules: at least one supporting point in the lie, none closer to the target than the rear edge of the marker disc [4], and within 10 m you must show balance behind the marker disc after the putt [5].
Behind or level with the rear edge of the marker disc, not in front [4]. The lie is a 20 cm × 30 cm rectangle behind the rear edge of the marker disc [2].
Yes. The Rules School video explains: you only need to demonstrate balance behind the marker disc; you may also fall sideways or backwards [3]. Failing to do so risks a penalty throw [5].
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