I am just trying out new ways to hold the sling for me, here is one:

https://i.imgur.com/zjQyphQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JizXKxd.jpg

Initial feelings: very clean throw, but my accuracy is waay off. I will have to try it for awhile and see if I can improve with it. This hold can only work with thin cords I think.

Standard I hold the sling the way Luis the Balear does. Around middle finger, loop outside of hand and release between index and thumb. But after too much slinging I got blisters, especially slinging very heavy rocks. So I am very interested in seeing if I can get this hold to work well.

I recently made a wrist retention sling, but haven't had the time to test it out. Just "trying it on" I can feel it's going to take a lot of getting used to.

There's some old tapestries showing a similar hold for medieval slingers. It looks awkward to my eyes but I would guess if it was used it had to offer some benefits.

I've never used a wrist loop, but I'd think it could be an advantage when slinging heavy projectiles.  Having it anchored to the wrist rather than just a finger.  But in turn, the release cord may then also need a full grip rather than just a small knot.

Have you try this grip out yet Jauke?  How does it work for you?

joe_meadmaker wrote on Sep 2^nd, 2019 at 9:55am:

I've never used a wrist loop, but I'd think it could be an advantage when slinging heavy projectiles.  Having it anchored to the wrist rather than just a finger.  But in turn, the release cord may then also need a full grip rather than just a small knot. Have you try this grip out yet Jauke?  How does it work for you?

I've slung a lot with it today. I find it works great with side arm apache and heavy (300g plus) rocks. Really powerful and the style that gives me least strain when slinging such heavy rocks. My accuracy with other styles was not very good but the releases were smooth. The high winds and jagged rocks might also had to do with it. Overall I think it can work just as well as a finger loop if you stay with it and practice.

I have exactly the same grip.

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lobohunter uses a wrist loop.
Mind you he also used to sling the heads from sledge hammers and once made some armour piercing glandes that even timpa would be impressed by :-)

@Timpa I can see why. When I was slinging with this hold a few days ago I automatically started doing pirouettes and run ups. This hold really invites to sling that way.

I'm off to the cottage tomorrow and I'm taking my new wrist loop sling I'll report back with my thoughts soon.