I have layed out in my garage a half-sized "Balearic slinging range".   So I have half a chance to hit something, I used half the kiddie slinging distance.  

Right now it is 23degF outside, w winds gusting to 30+mph, thus the half-sized inside range.

So, this is my little challenge:

Distance to target is 16 feet
Target square is  2 feet square
Target hole is 9.5 inches in dia
Target center is 63 inches off the ground

Scoring will be 5 consecutive shots, getting 2 points for each hit on the hole, and 1 point for each hit on the square.  A perfect score would be 10 points.   Why?  I just liked perfect being 10 for 5 shots instead of 8 for 4 shots.

Missiles are tennis balls.

I shall post my scores from time to time, and expect to be embarrassed often.   I invite others to do the same.

mgreenfield

11 March 2004 Best Score = 2 out of 10
12 March 2004 Best Score = 5, incl 2 "in the hole"!

Cool,

I'll bite!!  ;D I will make a target tomorrow and start practicing with dur tennis balls. Getting specific--we can not step over the 16' line --correct?

Come on folks--this will get us practicing and we might even have our own little unofficial slinging olympics some day ;D

I like the idea very much too!!!  :D

I will try to make me a such target and buy some tennis balls.  Good ideas for rainy days also in the summer - when ever it comes- and for practise in the garden!

Good Idea, mgreenfield and keep on slinging  ;D

/Ulrica

....yep!    No stepping over the 16 ft line.   mgreenfield

Fellow target slingsters,   ...making sure that my sling hand is pointed right AT the target, as a follow through, after release seems to add a lot to accuracy.    Lateral aim with my vertical spin has never been a problem.  This almost "bowling style" follow through seems to help with vertical aim a lot.  It probably adds 2-3 points to my scores.   mgreenfield

Well Folks,

This morning I made my "Official MGreenfield Sling Challenge Target" It is made of a 3/4" plywood scrap-- I had in my shed, 24"X24". I made 5"deep sides and a top and used 2-- 2" angle brackets to attach it to the brick on the side of my house. The 9 1/2" hole is in the middle of course and I took the hole I cut out and made it  81/2" in size. I then attached a flat rubber bungie strap to it with 2 screws and washers. I then centered it in the hole and used 2 more screws and washers to attach the strap to the back side of the box.

When you hit the hole, it flaps the 81/2" disc and goes into the box and drops to the ground. Sometimes it bounces back out.

After some warmups I managed to get 5-6 points on average with 7 being my highest. I am used to throwing hard so I shot from about 20' so I was not getting hit on the bounce back so much and so I could catch the ball before it got by me and into our fish pond ;D Yes I did soak a few balls but, boy you should see the spray of water off the tennis ball on the whip of release!!!

I got lucky and got a -- 10 -- at 16 feet! I tried one more but missed.

I just bought some new tennis balls!! :o :o :o I about  nailed myself  --man do they bounce.

...poke the new tennis balls w a small nail to let the pressure out.   They'll keep their shape.   A local tennis club will give me a few worn out balls each time I ask.  

David_T got a 10 on the first day!   The embarassments for me begin! ;D       mgreenfield

MG,

Thanks for the tip about letting the preasure out of the ball. That should help. I have been slinging a lot, so don't feel bad. If we get Hondero and others participating I will look bad I'm sure! :'(

I have been using a target for ages, but nothing like this.  There is no scoring, just seeing if I can hit the target or the bullseye at different ranges.  I use a piece of A3 paper with a target on suspended on a frame of 4 sticks, hung between a branch and the ground.  The target is in the woods.  Behind the target is a large tree, and every time I hit the target, the paper is pierced in the place it hit.  Paper is cheap, and I ca easily get some at school, so replacing used targets is no problem.  But the thing is, naturally I can't post scores if there are no scores to post.
 I use other targets for other things: a large log, with a pumpkin shoved on top, serves as a bolas target when I can't use a scarecrow.  An atlatl target or bow target is either the same as the bolas target or the sling target, but the atlatl wrecks the sling target, totally tears it to pieces.  Quite fun though.

Hey English,

You should find a flat wall and get some tape--duct tape or masking tape. It would be an easy way to make a 24X24 target. Cut out a 9 1/2" circle and tape it in the middle. ;D If you made the circle of tin or plastic, it would make a sound when you hit it. ;D Just some ideas

I've got to try this out when I get the chance.  I have a field production job so I can carry the target in my truck and throw rocks at it whenever I need to stop and take a break.  :)


Scott Adair

Yes Sir,

Join the slinging challenge!

I have been slinging concrete for six months and am at a point where I am frustrated with the inconsistancy. Slinging a tennis ball has always seemed "whimpy" to me since it is so light and doesn't destroy things when it hits  ;D   BUT   slinging a tennis ball has made me realize that in six months I have actually gotten better. I was beginning to wonder. Using an consistant size, shape, and weight ammo makes a big differance!!

If we all post our scores it will help us keep practicing and improving our skills.  
Yesturday I was slinging at my Golden Retriever in the back yard.   ;D  It doesn't really hurt him except one time when he was far away so I slung really hard--not expecting to hit him ::)  I nailed him right on the nose with a tennis ball :'( But he still loves me ;D

I like mgreenfield's idea. I must try that. Tennis balls are pretty good ammo for accuracy practice. When I'm walking with my dog I suspend a compact disc on a steel mesh fence and beat into that one from the 10-15m distance. Usually, balls stick in the meshes, so I see exactly how very I miss :) But sometimes they pierce the mesh and I must run round :) Comapct disc is pretty visible in night-time. So is good for instinctive practice.

Jurek

Wow, this sounds awesome!  As I'm hitting the same weather as MGreenfield, I'll have to wait until it warms up a little, but I'll make my target and post my scores by the end of the week!  MGreenfield, this rules!

Rob

Well,  we have another slinger  in the target challenge. My son Anthony--11-- using his 28" sling scored 5 twice and 6 as his best! He was using the overhand release. He asked his baseball coach if he thought they would let him pitch this year with his new "arm extension" ;D

.....old guy, mgreenfield, hopped out of truck after work today & slung a 7, new record.   Definite improvement in short time, by concentrating on target & using standard (tennis ball) ammo.   Maybe there's hope!!  mgreenfield

...so  much for hope!  :-/.   Slung 10 "frames" this eve.  Scores 5,4,5,4,6,4,4,3,5,2.  Lessons:  It's gonna take a lot  more practice, and quit when you're ahead.   :D

Practice makes Perfect!

Those aren't bad scores.

I slung last night by flood lights. They are the kind that work by motion detectors. The balls kept bouncing past me an ending up in our fish pond :-/ I think I spent more time fishing them out then slinging. I had a couple 4s and 5s and one 6 at 25'

We are waiting for more of you slingers to join the fun ;D ;D

I want to join, but It´s taking time for me to make that target....- I haven´t even started yet  :-/
This weekend we will not be at home so much.. So there is again not so much time over.. But I hope I soon will be able to join!!!

Ok, it was a beautiful 50 degrees outside today, so my target went up in the back yard and my brothers and I went at it.  I got several respectable 4's while my "no good, stinkin' brother" got a two 5's and a 6!  

What was especially cool is that there was consistant ammo and distance so that we were better able to work on technique.

In addition, I'm a newspaper photographer by trade, so with my really cool digital camera, we took some movies and then went inside to critique our form.  That might be the best tool for improvement that we've got.

Thanks MGreenfield for coming up with this challenge!

Rob

Ok Arch!

Don't you just love it

In the SCA they allow slingers in their simulated medieval combat, and tennis balls are used, but sliced halfway through. I guess they're softer that way, and certainly don't bounce much.

This not forgotten by ol' Greenie, fellow target slingsters.  My target still up in the garage.   Just spending time lately "adjusting form", ....a nice way of saying "starting from scratch trying to develop a method that will let smaller, uncoordinated ol' guys put more distance on the missile".    Can it be done?  ;D.   Just wasting time? ???   mgreenfield

mgreenfield
 Yes it can be done!! :D

Because If you think you can, or you think you can't, in either case you'll be right.  :P

Therefore think you can and it is done.........Grasshopper.
;D


WalkingBird
Who thinks mgreenfield can do this thing.

Mgreenfield,

I'm sure you can. Proper shots don't require a big effort to get quite qood ranges. I see the unused potential in your throw, believe me. Maybe, it would be good idea to try a bit longer sling. You would get a better stone feeling and your arm would get some relief. I know every change of our habits is uncomfortable but after some practice it may work better.

Jurek