6thMichCav
Tiro
Offline
Posts: 41
USA
Gender:
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I saw this post soon after registering and wanted to reply. Now that I have thought about it more, here are a few (unoriginal) thoughts:
You first asked about snow. My preferred throwing style is underhand or Greek. In shallow snow (say, up to ankle deep), no other adjustments are necessary. In medium snow (say, ankle to knee deep), underhand is now compromised because my slings would hit the snow at 120 degrees from vertical (around 4:30 on a clock). Greek becomes necessary. In deep snow (knee to waist...or--gulp--higher!), slinging would be...would...what in Hades am I doing out here, I can't even walk!
Underhand also has its compromises in dry (non snow) terrain. Here I am speaking of terrain features like tall grass, young tree/bush shoots, rocks, etc. Even some thick grass can instantly decellerate my sling's downward rotation and spill the pouch, or at least throw off my aim dramatically. If I don't have a relatively smooth space to sling, underhand gets difficult, and I tend to gravitate to a low sidearm, high release figure-8, or my most accurate option, Greek.
My choice of underhand is due mostly to a rotator cuff injury from lifting weights in my 20's, mixed with advancing age which makes overhand or sidearm painful after about 20-30 good shots. It is much easier, safer, and just as effective for me to throw underhand under the right conditions. However, we know that ideal conditions aren't always present when you feel the need to hurl a projectile.
I like Greek as an alternative since it combines the baseball pitcher's maximum windup with a predictable release point. That said, I am captivated by the "controlled release staff sling" concept and plan to make one shortly. Having fished for years, I am convinced that with the right setup, and the right balance of materials, I can get speed, power, and accuracy--if perhaps slower reloading speed and less portability. If I can place a one-ounce spoon in a one-foot target at sixty feet with a fishing rod (fast or slow), I am confident with practice that a 2-3 ounce rock would do the same...and now I won't be afraid of scaring any fish!
Sorry, I digress. Terrain features that would slow down the staff sling would also include bushes, tree branches, rock ledges, or anything else that would spill the pouch.
Would that be a slinger's epithet? "Spill your pouch, dude!"
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