I've owned a sling for maybe 4 days now. From what I've experienced so far, I cannot for the life of me sling a rock with any sort of overhand gesture. I've managed to get some results from a few underhand throws, but that's pretty much it. Whenever I try to do something that involves releasing overhand (such as the figure-8 method), the stone lacks the amount of power and accuracy that I can achieve through other throwing methods. As for the figure-8 method alone, I can't even figure out how I'm supposed to release the knot without twisting my arm in a very unnatural fashion.

Currently I'm most satisfied with this sort of over-head-side-throw (sorry, I don't know the terminology). The most powerful throw my weak-ass little body can mutter is a full or half body spin while slinging over-head, but this method lacks accuracy.

For further reference, I'm right-handed and I hold the loop half-way down my middle finger. I grip the knot somewhat firmly with my thumb and the side of the tip of my index finger. Also, I understand that the sling is supposed to be approximately wing-span length, but mine falls about 6-8" short.

I feel like I'm missing something here, so I wondered if you pros can point it out.

You have nothing to worry about. It will all come with time and practice. The figure-8 especially can be a little weird at first. Look up "Brian Grubbs figure-8" on youtube for a good tutorial on it.

For me the Apache was by far the most difficult to learn. It felt so unnatural after years of other throws. Sometimes it can help to slow throws down to half speed. Youtube is also a good resource for double checking a particular throwing style. Lastly, I wouldnt worry about your sling length not being an exact length. Really anything between 24" and 40" inches will work fine until you have enough experience to decide what works best for you. Good luck.

I second the Brian Grubbs fig-8 video. After watching that and practicing the action with an empty sling I got it pretty easily. It's tough to get your head round but when you've done it once (properly) it's easy.

I've found standard overarm (apache) to be quite an unnatural sling throw, fig-8 is the king of overarm throws for me. A lot more power and more smoothness as you actually have a proper windup. I'd probably struggle for 100m with apache yet with fig-8 I can send rocks far out of sight.

If you can't do fig-8 then underarm and sidearm styles have good power too.

Everything takes time. Power and accuracy will come as you perfect the technique. Also, don't be afraid to experiment with your own style. It has to feel right to you, or it won't work. Kind of a zen thing.
Also, try  not to overthink the process. I did that when I started. I was focusing on having everything perfect, and that leads to hesitation.

Like everybody else has said, you've only done it for four days. I've been slinging on and off for something like four years, and I still sometimes have issues.

You don't have to do an overhand style if you don't want to. I've pretty much only done overhand styles, and in my opinion, the easiest to learn is apache. Like others have said, the Brian Grubbs figure 8 video is really good.

Also, don't push yourself too hard. It's easy to hurt yourself, and that's no fun.

What is important at this stage isn't so much accuracy or power -- it is learning the motions. It can be useful to just swing around the sling empty to get more used to the feel of it. Pick one style to learn and stick with it until it feels fluid and natural. Don't confuse yourself by trying to learn multiple styles at once. 

slingbadger wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2017 at 6:29am:


This is pretty crucial. I'm way more accurate if I don't think about it. You should have learned the proper motions first though.