Aussie wrote on Dec 7
th, 2009 at 5:45pm:
Midway down the picture is a slinger with a shield. Notice the unusual thumbless grip he uses. The release is a simple loop over the index finger. About a year ago someone posted some pictures of slingers in the Kenyan disturbances using this style of release. There seemed to be some controversy that the photos were merely posed and that style of release wouldn't really be practical. However the fine detail on this picture makes me think that it is accurate and not merely artistic license.
I know that Eoraptor holds the release bead between her index and middle fingers. Does anyone on the forum use this loop or other unusual release styles?
I've done it that way for a few slinging sessions when I had a massive blister on my ring finger. It takes a little getting used to, but by the end of a slinging session, I was nearing my normal accuracy levels.
I pretty much have to hold my index finger like in the picture because if I don't hook onto it tightly, the sling will fly off. (and it has.)
I tried releasing the loop rather than the release cord, and it didn't work anywhere near as well as releasing the release cord.