Innova Roc | Stable Midrange
To get things clear from the start we're talking about the Roc, not the Roc3. The Innova Roc is often overshadowed by the more popular Roc3, but the Roc is an incredible disc in its own right!
If you're just looking to buy, we have the Innova Roc for sale above in various plastics and editions.
If you're researching before making a purchase our review of the Innova Roc should answer your questions! If we don't? Contact us, we'd be happy to help you out!
Innova Roc Review
Anyone who uses a Roc3 will be familiar with its consistent do-all midrange flight. The Roc while sounding very similar has something very unique to offer you!
It's a slower (4-speed) midrange with a really neutral, glidey, and controllable flight when in the sweet KC Pro plastic! If you pick one up in Star or Champion it's going to be more like a Roc3, just a little slower.
If you've got some time dig around for some videos of Paul McBeth throwing his KC Pro Rocs. You'll fall in love with the buttery hyzer flips that fly laser straight for days!
Backhands
Let's break this down between KC Pro, and then the other plastics for clarity.
KC Pro:
Despite the numbers showing the Roc to be considerably overstable, you'll find it to be a neutral flier with a touch of turn and a small fade. A nice thing about the Roc is that you can rely on it to not turn over, but also not to fade way too much. All in all it's a very forgiving disc, and the lower speed of 4 only boosts that forgiveness.
You'll be able to throw just about any line you like with the KC Pro Innova Roc. Release it flat for a straight flight, on a hyzer angle for a sweeping fade, and on anhyzer for long turnover lines!
The glide on this disc is great, it can fly as far as a speed 5 disc if you just give it some juice!
These tend to be domier.
Champion, Star, etc:
The Innova Rocs tend to fly a little more like their big brother, the Roc3. They've got a moderately strong fade out of the box. This makes them great when you need control, consistency, and accuracy.
It also means you can put your full power into your shot without turning it over. The overstability is even enough to handle moderate headwinds.
These tend to be flatter.
Pro tip:
Bag KC Pro and Star Rocs for a familiar feel with varied flight paths!
Forehands
If you have a smooth sidearm the Roc has the stability to handle the torque. The only downside might be the deeper rim causing release issues. You'll probably be better off using something like a Zone. On the other hand, you should be able to coax more distance out of it thanks to the glide.
Feel
The Innova Roc's rim has that very familiar midrange feel but with an average-sized bead. That then moves onto a blunted nose, which in turn moves up the flight plate in a gentle dome. The rim is small enough to fit into any hand comfortably. The KC Pro plastic gives a powdery feel, that will make you want to use the Roc for every shot!
Innova Roc Flight Numbers
Flight Numbers
Speed: 4
Glide: 4
Turn: 0
Fade: 3
KC Pro: These numbers are a little off if you're throwing KC Pro. We'd rate it with 6 glide, and 1 fade.
Other premium plastics: These numbers are pretty accurate. Perhaps change the glide to a 5.
Innova Roc Flight Path Chart
Here's a chart to give you an idea of the Innova Roc's flight path.
Plastics
KC Pro: This is the plastic that all the pros hold dear! It gives you a premium feel but with a quicker seasoning time. It's perfect if you plan to bag multiple Innova Rocs and cycle them. The grip is fantastic, with an oddly satisfying powdery feel!
Champion: Champ Rocs will be the most overstable of the bunch. These are super reliable and accurate, great for in the wind, and ready to handle a lot of power.
Star: Star will have much the same effect on your Roc as Champion, but you'll have better grip and a slightly faster seasoning time.
DX: These Rocs are the least expensive, but will beat in fast. If you have the cash, go for KC Pro, you won't regret it!
See this Innova Plastic Guide to learn more!
History
The Roc is disc golf history! It was PDGA approved in the last century - January 1987! At one point it was the height of disc technology, being faster and futher-flying than anything else on the market! Since then it's fallen a little behind in the speed department, but it's still a world-class midrange.
See the PDGA-approved Innova Roc here.
Manufacturer - Innova
Innova started up in 1983, 4 years later they brought out the Roc, which was considered super fast at that time. Since then the Roc has spawned a ton of variations from Innova. It truly laid the foundations of what we look for in midrange to this day!
Shop for all our Innova discs here
Learn more about the Roc on Innova's site.
Here is what Innova has to say about the Roc:
The Roc is simply the best, most versatile mid-range disc ever made. It provides accuracy at any range. This disc can take and hold the angle of release, even into a headwind. It can be used for driving, upshots, straight shots, hyzer shots or anhyzers. The Roc ages gradually and predictably. If you’re not sure what disc to throw, choose the Roc; just like most pros.
Here's a video on the Innova Factory Store YouTube Channel that features the Roc!
Here's Philo Braithwaite's take on one of his old favorites, the Innova Roc:
Skill Level Recommendations
Beginners - Definitely consider a DX or KC Pro Roc. Their neutral flight with a soft fade, high glide, and slower speed make them easy to throw.
Intermediate - Rocs are the staple mid in many a DG bag, and they could easily be the same in your bag as well. KC Pro Rocs are amazing, and cycling them for various flight paths is a common practice.
Advanced - The Roc is workable when you really know how to throw! Big annys, sweeping hyzers, and laser straight tunnel shots, you name it! Ask Paul McBeth!
Dimensions
Here are the dimensions the Roc was registered with at the PDGA.
Max Weight: 180.1gr
Diameter: 21.7cm
Height: 2.0cm
Rim Depth: 1.3cm
Rim Thickness: 1.2cm
Inside Rim Diameter: 19.3cm
Rim Depth / Diameter Ratio: 6.0%
Rim Configuration: 43.00
Flexibility: 8.51kg
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to throw in KC Pro
- Using different plastics gives different flight paths
- KC Pro Rocs are perfect for disc cycling
- Comfortable feel
- High glide
- KC Pro is straight
- Champion and Star have a dependable fade
- Slower speed is very controllable
- Very forgiving disc
- Can handle moderate wind
Cons
- Some players might not like the feel of the beaded rim
Characteristics
Ratings are on a scale of 1-10.
Stability: 7.5 (KC Pro - 6)
Consistency of Flight: 8
Consistency in Wind: 7.5
Beginner Friendliness: 7
Distance Potential: 7
Control: 8
Utility: 8
Fun Factor: 8
Similar Discs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Roc good in the wind?
Rocs have the stability to handle moderately strong headwinds. If you really to cut through you may want to change to something with a sharper edge, like a driver.
Is the Roc good for backhand?
The Innova is a thing of beauty when thrown backhand. It's extremely versatile and can be thrown for tunnel shots, sweep hyzers, and long turnovers.
Is the Roc good for forehand?
While the Roc certainly is usable for forehand it's not our number one choice. It has stability, but it's a little deeper and domier than what is optimal. Most prefer something closer to a Zone.
