Mgreenfield, check here, please:

http://www.slinging.org/forum2/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=1;action=display;num=10651549...

and here

http://www.slinging.org/forum2/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=1;action=display;num=10704297...

Jurek

I do it like Chris, except I have two loops.  I'm trying to catch up on all the cool threads tonight.  I've been busy.  I like Chris's method because too much separation between release cord and retention cord makes the cradle shift, in flight, and you can possibly loose the stone.  But if I make both cords go up in the middle of my hand, then they get tangled more easily.  However, that's how the Peruvian's do it, and their slings have more bulky cords to not tangle.

Infact, if your release cord is a "grip" type, then that's probably the best way.  I use a release node (knot) on the end of my retention cord, and I prefer it to be the only cord between my thumb and first finger.  I just ignore the other cord and pretend like there is only one. 

And this knowledge was earned after years of trial and error, long sleepless nights of questioning and doubts, and other assorted scientific research.  Just kidding. 

Actually I started out Peruvian, and ended up Chrisovian when I started braiding slings.  My old shoe lace slings worked better the other way it seemed.  One advantage with the, through the hand technique, is it saves your middle finger from getting sore.  Ofcourse, that depends on sling construction too.

                                           Ben

Does anyone here use a wrist loop?  I used a finger loop mostly growing up and my fingers always ended up turning purple and I had trouble with the centrifical force pulling hard on my finger.  Now i use a wrist loop and love it.  The wrist cord comes up across my palm, and between my thumb and index finger.  The release end with a knot is gripped beside it.  I don't have any problems with it tangling and the full loop around my wrist gives me a lot more strength for larger rocks. 

Barak

Ben,  I do not have any noticable twist in the cords during the sling.  I do get some twisting of the two cords as I am grabbing the release cord, but just twist it a bit and the tangle comes out.  Then during the sling, all goes well in that respect.

Upon release, my arm crosses my body and ends up under my left arm, hand along my left side. The sling almost always wraps around me.  This is a small annoyance, but does not adversly affect my slinging.

I don't always release late, but this is a problem I have.  Maybe my release node is too big.  Maybe altogether unnecessary.  Being made from nylon seine twine, my cords are not all that big and a bit slick, so and the node helps to hang on.  I would like to have cords that are thin but stiff like an 11mm climbing rope.

I did notice during my last slinging outing that two windups helped with the late release.  It seemed to be due to a little extra sling speed which made the stone more "feelable" and my releases timed a bit better.

jeff <><

I don't have too much trouble with blood circulation with my finger loops, but I generally don't sling very large rocks. 

A wrist loop like Barak's seems ideal for larger rocks because it is a bit more secure going between thumb and pointer finger.  My wrist loop experiences just never felt right, but this sounds like a better location for the cord.

Chris

Someday we'll go really space age and use releases like the triggered ones they use in archery now days.  I remember when I was in highschool and first saw one of those.  I was so disillusioned!  I thought, "why not just shoot a gun if you want to squeeze a trigger."  Pretty good idea really, but I prefer to get my fingers sore.  Urrghhhh (manly grunt).

                                             Ben

Jeff,

Don't you like it when you post right after me.  If you look in our signatures, you have the whole passage there, layed out. 

Yes the manly way!  Urgggggggghhhhhh!! (Manly slinger war cry).  Even Ulrica is welcome to sling the manly way if she wants to.  Urrrrrghhhhhhhh! 

                                   Ben