Mark-Harrop wrote on Mar 17
th, 2016 at 6:56am:
slow transition to release without twisting the cords
The quote is in regards to the figure 8.
The pouch motion from a figure-8 release has nearly the same mechanics as side arm, or any other release. In the figure 8, the pouch still has to rotate 180 degrees (axis along the cords) within 180 degrees of the throw rotation (axis through the hand, parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the direction of throw). Watch David Morningstar's slow-mo videos. The pouch mechanics are nearly identical for all the throws. This particular argument for figure 8 doesn't hold water.
The only method that I can think of that doesn't require the 180degree spin of the pouch is the apache style.
I agree that the figure 8 is closer to a throw in some senses and in that manner seems to fit human biomechanics better, but I can chuck a stone 220m (maximum) with sidearm, and I have never done the same with figure 8. It is just how one practices, and I mostly practice sidearm. (personally, I think figure 8 is wasted motion.