Thanks Thearos for this picture.
I tested this morning about ten pebbles. Perfect for "old Indian hunting style". Holding the release cord between two fingers, no need for thumb.
Skin to hide for game, a peasant hat, no weapon, maybe, we have a poor citizen who goes to war with his hunting gear. Just an hypothesis.

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Bravo !

I always found the representation of the feet very accurate

TOMBELAINE wrote on Feb 16^th, 2023 at 5:04am:

Holding the release cord between two fingers, no need for thumb.

I'll have to try that out.

Hi,
Does someone know the meaning of the text ?

Just my gesture from the drawing (others are probably possible) : rotate the pelvis (feet turn by themselves), keep the left arm aligned on the target and bring right hand next to left hand.
On about twenty shots this morning, I hite the target (a rock at thirty meters) twice with bad peebles. I lack training but I think there is potential with this technique.

joe_meadmaker wrote on Feb 19^th, 2023 at 7:31pm:

Re: Greek style : Lecuyer Reply #2 - Feb 19th, 2023 at 7:31pm   TOMBELAINE wrote on Feb 16th, 2023 at 5:04am: Holding the release cord between two fingers, no need for thumb. I'll have to try that out.

Tell us your impressions.

I read on this forum the testimony of the "old Indian". I can't find it anymore but I'm not very good either. Obviously, there are similarities between his testimony and the drawing.

Here's Rueben's video about "old Indian".
http://www.youtube.com/user/ruebenschulz#p/a/u/0/Dqtv2o3T2AI

And now my hypothesis for the Greek picture.
The holding of the release cord is perfectly adapted and creates no problem.
I still have to train but there is potential.

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So, you're basically a human trebuchet. Interesting..

IronGoober wrote on Mar 7^th, 2023 at 1:47pm:

So, you're basically a human trebuchet. Interesting..

Hmmm...wonder if you held a counter weight in the other hand.  It might just throw you off balance though.

There are commons points between the video and my photos despite a different starting position. Pelvic pivot, arm swing and no pre-rotation.
I still have details to work on but my first results are as follow : an estimated velocity of the projectile just under 100 kms/h (or about 30 meters per second, the range of my target but it's just a feeling) and improved accuracy.
Do these first results allow hunting ? I think so but I'm not hunter.

Tomberlaine -- what is the length of sling that you're using in those pictures?  It look much shorter than I see a lot of slingers using. 

The release belt measures 50 cms. It's an old sling I have.
On the drawing, its lenght can be estimated at 70 cms. Approximatively.
I am currently testing a new technique. Direct fire straight ahead. I'll take pictures as soon as possible.
From an old drawing, finding the most likely gesture is exciting. We have to leave what we think we know so as not to miss a gesture that may have disappeared today.

I tested two methods : trebuchet and straight ahead. It's personal  but I prefer the second.
Having no chamois or calfskin, I took my coat. It's necessary to shift the right arm outwards.
In red, the position of the sling.

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This is my methodology.
I tested 4 different releases. Circular on the right side, abandoned. Bottom circular, abandoned. Circular over, trebuchet. And straight ahead.
I tested the two last in the forest. Definite advantage for the latter : less movement for comparable power.
I also tested with and without fingerloop. It's better with.
If others members want to try, I'm very happy to have their input.

TOMBELAINE wrote on Apr 4^th, 2023 at 5:02am:

Circular over, trebuchet. And straight ahead.

Can you elaborate on the difference between these?

I'm picturing 'circular on the right' as a sidearm release.  'Bottom circular' as an underhand release.  And 'circular over' as an overhand trebuchet-like release.  But I picture a straight ahead throw being very similar to the overhand trebuchet method.

In the movement " straight ahead", the arm leaves in the axis. With my poor English, it's difficult to explain better.

An illustration of a "trebuchet" style. (Old Indian)
http://www.youtube.com/user/ruebenschulz#p/a/u/0/Dqtv2o3T2AI

From the position of the hand "palm to top", the Greek drawing would plead for "trebuchet". However the drawing represents the starting position but il does not describe the evolution of the movement.

Just my conclusions and I can be wrong. But I love this work.

Looking for old gestures is a very random undertaking. And for those who are interested, the position of the feet on Makron cup (shared by Thearos) is identical but in a war context.

Tomorrow, Ill do a drawing to explain better (I hope).

Sounds good.  Thanks!

It's also no problem though.  I'm still planning to try this style and post a video.  I just haven't had a chance yet.  I'm hoping to in the next couple weeks.

joe_meadmaker wrote on Apr 4^th, 2023 at 4:32pm:

TOMBELAINE wrote on Apr 4th, 2023 at 5:02am: Circular over, trebuchet. And straight ahead. Can you elaborate on the difference between these? I'm picturing 'circular on the right' as a sidearm release.  'Bottom circular' as an underhand release.  And 'circular over' as an overhand trebuchet-like release.  But I picture a straight ahead throw being very similar to the overhand trebuchet method.

Yes. Here is my drawing.
The important thing is to go straight ahead with a constant acceleration.
For physiological reasons, I find more convenient to have the palm out

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Hello Joe Meadmaker,
I hope my explain is clear.
Soon, we can see your video.
Is your foot better ?

I think I understand.  When I'm able to record a video, I'll try all the styles and we'll find out if I'm doing them as you're envisioning.


Thanks for asking about my foot.  It's doing better.  My full range of motion hasn't completely returned yet.  Also my ankle and lower leg swell up throughout the day as I move around, and the swelling goes down during the night.  But overall I'm able to move around almost normally now.

Your wound is getting better. All the better.

Otherwise, you test as you feel. Details have certainly eluded me. With two people, we understand more than we do alone.

Fantastic thread ! Really itnersting to see tht the release is possible, and hence might be realistically represented.

The position of feet is identical.
The left arm is used for an ancillary activity : camouflage or transport of ammunitions.
So, I make the assumption that the style of throwing is identical with this grip. Tested this morning, it works without problem.
I make photos to illustrate my assumption.

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Photo 1 : the basket of ammunition.
Photo 2 : the starting position. Loading the sling is easy.

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Photo 3 : without moving the left arm, send the sling under.
Photo 4 : let lean backwards. The grip with two fingers allows a very fine feel of the tension. Just my idea.

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Photo 5 : straight ahead like the hunter.

I love this style because I find it easier than others.

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https://books.openedition.org/pcjb/5944

Here's a text in French. A small summary.

Use of leather as protection :
illustration 1, apron under the shield.
illustration 2, protection in contact with game.

Raw or tanned skins serv as clothing for the poor.
They are also used to camouflage themselves.

A text from the 2nd century BC says that the pouch of the slings are made with leather. The text is ambiguous about the material of the straps : leather or vegetable ?

I did try this style but was absolutely terrible.  I want to do some recording but need to practice it a bit more first.

In my opinion, the difficulty is not to make a setback like in tennis but a straight line with constant acceleration.
I will watch your next video with great pleasure.