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General >> General Slinging Discussion >> How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1719041137 Message started by joe_meadmaker on Jun 22nd, 2024 at 3:25am |
Title: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Jun 22nd, 2024 at 3:25am
How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Is the target in front of you, or in front of the sling (specifically the pouch)?
A few things about this question: [list bull-blackball] For most of my slinging days, I have used the C orientation. In my mind, it made sense to stand directly in front of what I was slinging at. Lately I’ve been moving more toward a B orientation. With a full size Balearic target, I’m setting up with my position in front of the left side of the target. Basically between the edge of the target and the diana. This has helped with misses to the right, which have been a fairly recent thing for me. I also think that the A orientation has an advantage that the release point will be the same even if the distance changes. The vertical angle may need to increase, but general timing of the release should be the same. I am curious to hear thoughts on advantages and disadvantages. If you choose 'Other', please explain. ![]() |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Huntercs on Jun 22nd, 2024 at 7:51am
A or B for the most part when practicing with tennis balls. Having it bounce back with a good throw is satisfying, and saves on pickup :)
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Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Rat Man on Jun 22nd, 2024 at 1:08pm
Honestly it's something I never thought about. Off the top of my head I'd say C but I'm going to have to do some slinging to see if that's correct.
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Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by kairo on Jun 22nd, 2024 at 4:34pm
I do C, but the difference between B and C is only the orientation of the target I think. So when shooting at tree trunks for example, B and C would be the same. Or is B not facing at the target's center?
Maybe B/C are more intuitively, with rifle scopes for example you aim in the same way as with B/C. But in the end it's probably just depending on what you get your muscle memory accustomed to |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Jun 22nd, 2024 at 6:09pm kairo wrote on Jun 22nd, 2024 at 4:34pm:
That's actually the case for all of them. The target could be rotated so the front lines up with the slinger's line of sight. A tree makes it more difficult to visualize this because it's round and doesn't have a specific flat front-facing side. B and C might be very similar (or the same) with a tree because of its roundness, but that isn't the case with a Balearic target or any other target that has a specific "front". I guess another way to describe the orientation is before you put your body into the position you use for slinging, just stand normally facing the target. Your shoulders should be creating a line parallel to the face of the target. If the target (point) is directly in front of you, that is the C position. If the target is inline with your right shoulder (more or less), that's the B position. And if the target is outside (and to the right) of being inline with your body, that's A. Those descriptions are for a right-handed slinger obviously. The general question is do you prefer your target to be a straight line ahead from your eye, from the sling pouch, or somewhere in between. kairo wrote on Jun 22nd, 2024 at 4:34pm:
100% this. There is certainly no correct answer to this question. It's just something I've been experimenting with the past few weeks and was curious to hear from others on the subject. |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Mersa on Jun 23rd, 2024 at 5:03am
B-C . But somewhat in between. Mostly like c but not as squared centre. Slightly more like b .
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Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by David Morningstar on Jun 23rd, 2024 at 6:04am
A
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Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Stabyhoun on Jun 24th, 2024 at 10:31am
When I read your question, I thought of a different answer, before even seeing your pictures.
I tend to aim, standing perpendicular to the target (D). On release I turn in for a bit, like E. I must say, I do have a tennis background, and I really like the figure-8 trow for that. It is the same motion as a tennis-serve. And thus also the same follow-through. ![]() |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Jun 24th, 2024 at 3:35pm
I also start in a D position (as shown in your image) with my left arm toward the target and the right arm is basically behind me. The image I posted is intended to show the upper body the instant before releasing the sling. In general your shoulders should be opened up and your chest almost facing the target at that point.
If you have a video of your throw, I love to see it. But I would be very surprised if your right shoulder is still that far back from the target when you release (as shown in E). Your torso should generally rotate the entire way around so you finish with your right shoulder toward the target. The Figure-8 is definitely a good style. It won't apply to this situation much because it's an overhand release instead of sidearm, so more inline with the slinger no matter what target orientation is used. |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Jun 24th, 2024 at 3:40pm
Visuals are good. :)
Here's one from IronGoober. He did some recording with an overhead angle. You can see his upper body rotate all the way around so it's facing forward at the time of release. https://youtu.be/doTYAGCTdog&t=30 So the question on the table is, at that point, is the target directly in front of you (the slinger), directly in front of the pouch and projectile, or somewhere in between? |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Stabyhoun on Jun 26th, 2024 at 7:26am
Did some slinging yesterday, and I guess you are right. The release point will probably be more like B, but the mental/aiming part, is rotated like D.
Depending on the throwing style and the distance, the angle varies between eye and pouch differs. I feel like I do de throwing more on a instinctual level, So I don't really take that offset into account in my aiming. I just focus on a point, and throw. |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Jun 26th, 2024 at 10:07pm Stabyhoun wrote on Jun 26th, 2024 at 7:26am:
I love this kind of stuff. My favorite target style is a pendulum. Although I haven't done one for a while. Aerial targets are a lot of fun too. When your target is in motion, there's no time for thinking or planning. Just let your body do its thing. Stabyhoun wrote on Jun 26th, 2024 at 7:26am:
Totally understandable. I've been slinging for a little over 6 years and only started thinking about this about a month ago. When I started intentionally making the position adjustment, it was just an attempt to adjust for a sling that had a really fast release. It got me thinking about how others orient themselves when target slinging. Glad to hear your input! :thumb: |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by JudoP on Jun 28th, 2024 at 3:26pm
D - behind it, I'm a ninja.
(Ok C...) I've never tried to offset but I do imagine A in my head when I throw, it helps for very short range throwing. |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Klydd on Jul 2nd, 2024 at 6:41am
Currently turn 90 degrees (don't know if necessarily better but to be able to balance at the steep slopes where I currently throw), left foot first (in line with the target) and then sidearm. I try to aim more to the left though because the random ammunition (not consistant small rocks) tend to slice to the right.
If figure 8 then body angled more 45 degrees. Also straight in line with the target (target = big rock in the ocean). |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Jul 2nd, 2024 at 9:05pm Klydd wrote on Jul 2nd, 2024 at 6:41am:
Is that your starting position or your release position? Or both? |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Teeth on Jul 4th, 2024 at 11:37am
Really, all that's changing is the rotation of the target relative to the slinger.
Thinking about it this way, A is the best because the launch point is completely perpendicular to the target, which will make the target a bit easier to hit. It'll probably make the biggest difference when you're super close to the target. Slinging is mostly mental though, so whatever works best for you is the best one. Besides, if you're 20 meters away, it probably won't make too much of a difference. Fun question though! |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Jul 5th, 2024 at 1:31am Teeth wrote on Jul 4th, 2024 at 11:37am:
Not in the example I'm trying to present. Instead of a small target as I have shown in the image, imagine you're slinging at a wall. Is the perpendicular line (of the point you're trying to hit) from your eye to the wall, or from the sling pouch (at the time of release) to the wall? This is the big conundrum of slinging. The slinger's line of sight and where the projectile is being release are never in line. It's a "shoot from the hip" every time. Teeth wrote on Jul 4th, 2024 at 11:37am:
Partially disagree. If your release angle from the pouch to the target is straight ahead (as in image A), then release timing is the same on the horizontal plane (left to right) no matter the distance. A vertical adjustment will be needed depending on the distance to the target and the speed of the projectile. But with orientation C, a vertical and horizontal adjustment are needed if the distance changes. Teeth wrote on Jul 4th, 2024 at 11:37am:
This is kind of the point of the question. With orientation A, only an adjustment of vertical angle release is needed, depending on projectile speed. With orientation C, both the vertical and horizontal angle needs to be adjusted. If we ignore vertical angle, orientation A hits the target at any distance. Orientation C needs to adjust the release time (angle) for any change of distance. I agree that a change of body rotation (and even changing the direction of a forward step, which I do all the time) can affect the release angle. But that's not really what I'm asking. Ultimately the question is if a slinger prefers to make the adjustments with their positioning, or their timing of release (horizontal release angle). Teeth wrote on Jul 4th, 2024 at 11:37am:
100% agree. There is no right or wrong answer to the posted question. It is just something I'm exploring myself and was curious to see what others thought. |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Klydd on Jul 6th, 2024 at 6:23am joe_meadmaker wrote on Jul 2nd, 2024 at 9:05pm:
With the balearic style it's my starting position (then turn upper body 90 degrees and finish the throw decently straight towards the release). The beach where I get my only practice rn is heavily sloped so that's why. Also feels like I can get more power this way (?). Target rock is probably a good 50 meters out and my ammo is small rocks and affected by the wind + slices heavily currently (whenever I find a decently bullet-like one) which is also a contributing factor. But yeah probably as per your example B (or the later example D). MIGHT like to try A once I'm done with my next sling (first 6 strand to practice with tennis balls exclusively). Still too much in the experimental phase of things to have that useful input. Just getting my 2 cents in and following the thread. If there's a good consistant way to line up then that sounds useful. |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by lobohunter on Jul 9th, 2024 at 3:06am
Definitely d but then lately I have been trying to incorporate
The whole American baseball pitching style into my hurls You know the whole leg up bit |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Primate on Jul 20th, 2024 at 4:39pm
A is closer from the release point to the target so the margin of error should be a bit higher then B or C.
C gives you a tiny bit of extra angle/time to accelerate the rock, shot might be a bit more powerful. So B seems like it would be a good balance. But I never actually paid attention to this before, I will next time. |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Jul 20th, 2024 at 5:15pm
I never paid attention to it (meaning my positioning in front of the target) either for years. It was only just recently I started thinking about it. For the largest part of my slinging career, I have used the C orientation. It just made sense to stand directly in front of the target. And then a little while back I started thinking about moving more to the left side (as a right handed slinger) so that release angle adjustment (toward the target would be less) when the distance changed. And it seems to work really well. That's really the advantage of A. If you move closer or farther away from the target, the release timing doesn't change. You may need to adjust the vertical angle for longer distances, but the horizontal angle (assuming a sidearm release) is the same.
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Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by ScantPalaver on Jul 27th, 2024 at 1:38am
Maybe related, maybe not, but I've been messing around with shooting from behind cover. Since the sling releases so far to the side, you can get a shot off while standing behind something. I first noticed when I lost a ball behind some bushes, but now have been standing behind the soccer goal in the park where I practice.
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Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Jul 29th, 2024 at 9:17pm
Maybe not related to the question specifically, but certainly a valid topic. I haven't done a ton of slinging from cover, but have played around with it from behind trees. A sling can definitely provide reach around the side of a barrier. You obviously just need to make sure it's far enough in front so it doesn't interfere with your throw. For me it was usually too much of a distraction to get any great results.
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Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Caspian on Aug 2nd, 2024 at 12:58am
I've placed my poll vote already a month ago at least, but I figured I should elaborate:
I find I usually sling in the position of A, but as my form is fairly compact and I'm used to shorter slings, the distance of my stance from the center line is generally minimal. Though I've been graciously gifted a Peruvian sling by Ben which is much longer than I'm used to and really whips stones around with authority, and by virtue of its length throws me and/or the pouch position off the center line a bit more, maybe closer to B. I imagine that as familiarity with a sling increases*, one subconsciously wanders to A, but as so much of slinging is subjective beyond the "objective" baseline of body mechanics, velocity, and accuracy, there's really no telling. Even body mechanics are perhaps as debatable and subjective as the style of sling throw, like Greek or Balearic, or Byzantine, Apache, Figure Eight, and all that. *this is not to discredit those who are better slingers than me and are oriented in B or C, or any other stance, rather this is just a theory that might hold moot value |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by MLNG on Mar 9th, 2025 at 3:22pm
Today I used the rock carrier bag for the second time, it allowed me to stand in one place between throws and here's what I noticed:
I can make 3-5 throws and the stones will consistently go, for example, to the right and higher, to about the same place. Then if I slightly change my stance in relation to the target, the grouping remains about the same, but the stones fly, for example, to the left or to the target. Previously, I assumed that the position of the front leg, looking in the direction of the target, is more important. But today it seemed that the leg standing behind and the direction in which it pushes the body at the moment of the throw are more important. Has anyone noticed something similar or does everyone try to correct the throw only due to the hand itself? From the pictures and description above, my throw is probably closest to what Stabyhoun described in this post: https://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1719041137/7#7 |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by joe_meadmaker on Mar 9th, 2025 at 10:51pm
A couple things to touch on. The title of this thread wasn't as specific as I should have made it. What I was meaning to ask about is the body's orientation to the target at the time of projectile release, not the initial orientation before any movement happens.
Stabyhoun mentions a Figure-8 throw. Is that what you use? MLNG wrote on Mar 9th, 2025 at 3:22pm:
There will be a lot that comes into play for this. Do you take a step with your forward foot when you throw? I do, and the direction of that step is very important when it comes to direction the projectile goes. If I'm making an adjustment, the direction of the step is usually the first thing I'll try. If you don't take a step, the position of your feet will still be very important. Whether they're lined up toward the target, or if your front foot is off to the left a little bit, etc. will affect how far your torso will be able to rotate. This will all be a little different though if you're using a Figure-8 style with a more vertical (overhand) release. MLNG wrote on Mar 9th, 2025 at 3:22pm:
For me there are three things I'll consciously make changes to if I'm trying to correct or adjust my aim. The first, as already mentioned, is the direction of my forward step. The second is the actual release timing of the sling. The third is how far around I rotate my shoulders. There are other things. I remember IronGoober (I think it was him) talked about changing the start time and position of the power stroke. Basically he would adjust the aim by starting the power stroke sooner or later in the sling movement. I tried working with that but couldn't really get a handle on it. There are definitely lots of ways to make adjustments to your aim, and the position of your feet is certainly one of them. |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by MLNG on Mar 10th, 2025 at 2:30am joe_meadmaker wrote on Mar 9th, 2025 at 10:51pm:
Oh, that's an important clarification. Probably at the time of release in my case it was something close to B. joe_meadmaker wrote on Mar 9th, 2025 at 10:51pm:
Yes, I almost always use the figure eight throw. But there is a caveat about the release point. joe_meadmaker wrote on Mar 9th, 2025 at 10:51pm:
I take a step when I try to make a strong throw. If I'm just relaxed, there's still a small push to turn the body. Oops, I missed the clarification in your first message that you're talking about a side throw, because I read this topic when it was created and remembered it yesterday while thinking. But honestly, I can justify myself, because when using the figure eight, I noticed that depending on the target's location, I can release it either from above or almost horizontally (almost like in the Balearic style, for example). :) |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Klydd on Mar 12th, 2025 at 1:59pm
Have had my first two sessions with tennis balls today and a couple of days ago (spring is coming along and have found a PERFECT way/place to practice this way) and updating this...
On flat ground I now prefer anywhere from a 45-90 degree angle, left foot leads (right hander obv), so Stabyhouns image comes close. Next to no experience with tennis but played badminton semi-seriously for a good few years if that could play a part. Not very accurate yet though; especially with balearic style. With figure 8 it still works decently but balearic + tennis ball = not that much accuracy rn (tennis balls big and light). I figure it'll take some time to figure out what works especially switching between different lengths of slings as well rn to figure out what feels good; shorter seems more accurate for me/a beginner? |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Q on Mar 12th, 2025 at 8:16pm Klydd wrote on Mar 12th, 2025 at 1:59pm:
Shorter slings should feel more natural, while longer slings are better at generating more velocity/momentum. Tennis balls are the norm for safety and accessibility reasons; they are one of the worse projectiles due to their construction (high surface air resistance), lack of density and mass distribution. |
Title: Re: How do you orient yourself in relation to the target when target-slinging? Post by Klydd on Mar 14th, 2025 at 9:44am Q wrote on Mar 12th, 2025 at 8:16pm:
Yeah I know people say that but the REALLY short slings I didn't bring with me so dk. Also more power = hit target quicker = less issue with this ammo if one can get used to the longer ones? I think my sweet spot is, loaded, about from hand to inside armpit rn which is close to my most used one (idk if that's consideredd short or medium?), need to get to grips with something new. There isn't a general rule for string length to arm length or something? Also is it viable to switch between figure 8/balearic or better to just do the same every time? Yeah all of that and also they slice which I think was a big issue (shooting at distance of about 20-30 meters; maybe worth going closer to begin with?). This was not as big of a problem with the figure 8. Thing is I found a great place for practice, VERY isolated football pitch in an industrial area at the edge of my town, and for a target I use a tote bag clipped on one of the bars of the chainlink fence with a magnet. Rocks not viable at that spot I think (heavy to bring, bike there, and if shot through the fence and hit something OR if I miss a rock before leaving and it's there when someone actually has practice that's simply bad manners). Was fun as sh*t to shoot at a target with consistent ammo though must say (even though the ammo itself isn't ideal). Can see this becoming addictive. Edit: went there today again. Had a couple of bullseyes at about 30+ meters out... No real consistency yet but the ones that hit felt GREAT! Thinking of trying lacrosse balls; will see if the fence stops them or if they're too small and just go through. Harder/heavier should = better practice. In general better to go slow in the beginning (seems to give a bit more accuracy) or shoot HARD, to minimize the effect of wind, and just get used to that? |
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