The tomahawk is an overhead throw like a baseball pitch to get over tall obstacles. Grip, flight path, disc choice, common mistakes, rules and shoulder care.
The honest answer: the tomahawk is the overhead throw with a forehand-style grip and belongs in the "emergency tool" category. You throw the disc like a baseball pitch over the head; the fingers lie on the rim [1]. In the tomahawk the index and middle fingers lie on the inner rim and the thumb on top of the outer surface of the disc [1]. The top of the disc faces left (for right-handers) [1].
It flies in a vertical arc and then pans out horizontally before falling [1]. Its path is inverted relative to backhand and forehand, so it curves in the opposite direction [1]. That is why it suits getting over obstacles. In a survey of 883 disc golfers, 1.1% named the overhead throw as their most used throw [2]. So it is a specialty throw.
How hard is it? The movement is unfamiliar, control takes practice. The tomahawk is more for players who already know the forehand securely. There is no timeline. Plan it as a supplement, not a replacement: anyone who first plays backhand and forehand securely usually has fewer emergencies on the course in which they need it at all.
Index and middle fingers lie on the inner rim, the thumb on top of the outer surface of the disc [1]. First hold the disc in this grip without throwing.
Milestone: The disc sits securely, you can swing the arm without it slipping.
The motion resembles a baseball pitch above the head [1]. Begin slowly, dry and with a loose arm. A tomahawk is not a power throw: control beats force (practical experience, no evidence).
The disc is released at a vertical or near-vertical angle [1]. The angle determines how high the arc becomes.
Milestone: The disc visibly climbs steeply without tumbling.
The tomahawk flies high, pans horizontally and then falls [1]. An overstable disc pans sharper and faster, an understable one forms longer, slower arcs [1]. Watch where it lands and take that as your measurement.
Practise the motion ten times without a disc and then throw three discs at half speed in the same direction. Measure how far and how high they go and write it down. On the course you then know which gap you hit with which throw (practice).
The tomahawk suits getting over trees and bushes, through tight vertical gaps and steep, controlled landings [1]. Check whether a simpler throw is enough.
Milestone: Of ten throws, five land in an area of 10 m × 10 m (practice measure).
Make the tomahawk your lifeline, not your standard throw: it helps you with trees and obstacles [1] when backhand and forehand are blocked. Practise it on a field with a target zone and note which flight height you get for which distance. Repeat the series after a few days: that shows whether your release angle has really become stable or only worked on one good day.
An overhead throw like a baseball pitch, with the fingers on the rim of the disc; it flies in a vertical arc and then pans out horizontally [1].
Index and middle fingers on the inner rim, thumb on top of the outer surface of the disc [1].
Both serve to get over obstacles [1]. The tomahawk curves opposite to backhand and forehand, the thumber flies more straight up and straight down [1]. Choose the one you control more securely.
PDGA rules define a throw as the propulsion and release of a disc to change its position [6]; the rule text I read prescribes no throwing style. Stance and lie apply as always.
Usually a very overstable one [1]. Overstable discs pan sharper and faster, understable ones form longer, slower arcs [1].
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