Maybe it is called picking up lost time. Maybe there is simply no true reasons why. I never threw rocks when I was younger, or anything similar. How is it that comming across this website (From a link from a military strategy game board no less), I found slinging to be appear interesting, I have no ideas. I read about the various techniques, checked a few videos and images, read the board a little. I figured that I had nothing to lose by trying make a sling and doing a throw or two, except by feeling a bit silly and possibly knocking myself out with my own rock.

I used the instructions given by the first "sling-making" guide on the main webpage: Very nicely done for people with 0 craft experience like myself. I went to a field, and checked about for ammo. I found only about 15 barely useable rocks, but hey, I wasn't going for accuracy, only for throwing the thing in the right direction.

I'm happy to report the following observations after throwing those rocks, using what I *think* is the standard overhand and underhand with one spin (No experimenting this early  ):
1) Contrary to expectations, the rocks actually went foward.
2) The rocks went on "only" a 120 degree spread. Much better than the 360 degree spread I was fearing.
3) A sling have a reach of up to 10m using overhand.
4) I would think a sling would be a potential tool for bowling using underhand throws. At least, based on my rocks being sent directly rolling on the ground.
5) A stone placed in the middle of the sling stays inside during the rotation. A stone mistakenly placed half-hanging outside doesn't. At least it still went foward.
6) No windows, cars, animals or heads were harmed in any way.

The conclusion of the observations is this: The slinging community got itself a new member. Not a slinger who will ever throw far or accuratly, but one who loved his first experience with a sling and is looking foward to his next rock-throwing session. Although I'm fully aware it was a pathetic display at best, it was certainly a fun one. Both in knowing there's so much to improve and both in simply having a fun relaxing time.

In the end, I'd like to give a big thank you to the owner(s) of the site and every member here for having helped me find a new, fun and simple hobby!

Welcome to the Forum,

I too have had little experience with slings until I came across this site (I was reading about ancient weapons in the Wikipedia). I thought *wow* this seems like it would be fun and inexpensive. (Plus having moved to a city, I needed a new outdoor hobby). I made one of Dan's braided slings and went at it...

Now I am hooked!


Great to have another member!

Cheers

Zyawack,

Welcome!  See you around!

I believe you are the first to suggest bowling with the sling!

It's good to know that this website is here to help slinging beginers, I taught myself and had quite a bit of failure at first.

I tried today my self-braided sling in a field with the stones I found there.  Almost all stones were in an arc of +/- 25° from the desired direction. Max. distance was about 10-20m. (I am not that good at guessing distances.) I used mostly the helicoper style with 1-2 rotations for this. Sling length about 60cm when folded.

Part of the distance problem are certainly the stones. They are uneven and to light. The larger ones there were like disks and sliped out.

The most important part accounting for the distance problem is certainly the slinging technic. It is like when I began with Golf. I did the overall movement correct, but I missed all the little tricks to improve the speed.

People write here they are better when they don't force the slinging. It is the same in Golf. Trying to hit the ball with force is bad. I have heard that because of this it is easier to learn Golf for women.

Welcome Zywack.

Chris

Thanks for the welcome!

After a few more slinging sessions, I can say that basic improvement comes amazingly fast with slinging. I wasn't expecting getting about 3 times the distance I used to get two days before. Of course, 3*(Tiny distance) = (Still tiny distance), but I'll keep it as a percentage instead It's fun, it's decent exercise, it's challenging but still relaxing, I couldn't ask for more.

I haven't experienced any real sore or tennis arm syndrome like you did Zwiebeltuete, but then I'm not using the same technique as you. I personally just use the standard overhand and underhand (Underhand mainly), which is basically one spin clockwise or counterclockwise in the vertical axis before release, if I understood the descriptions in the articles well. I can see that being much less straining than your technique.

For golf, well... I can sling a stone further than I can hit a golf ball. I suppose it's excusable for having golfed once, but maybe if they allowed sling golfing I could get a hole in less than 6 for once!

yep think tint videoed that. Called it backhand :-)