Yeah Buddy, it sure is!  Honestly, I love slinging just for the feel of it, the look of it, and the fun of it.  I have pretty hideous accuracy myself.   I actually finally set up a square wooden target about 18 inches to a side and took about 25 shots at it.  Out of 25, I scored one hit and a couple near misses.  From 15 meters.  That's pretty close!  But, I know that i just don't have the attention span neccesary to practice in a consistant manner, so, I'm pretty much doomed to crappy accuracy, LOL..

Curious Aardvark wrote on Apr 10^th, 2013 at 3:42pm:



You mean all that practice will be for nought if your sling breaks?!  And you'll be back at square one again?! After all those long years of practice and many maimed or killed hounds?!   


Mick

I have a really short sling that I started with and it feels the most natural, but I know I would do better in the long run with a longer sling, so I practice with a bunch of different ones and just try to feel the way that each one responds to me.  Plus it matters what type of ammo I am using, I have a smaller one for small rocks, golf balls, etc, but I have one made for slinging tennis and lacrosse balls that is much longer, but it always boils down to the same thing... practice equals better range and accuracy...

Yep yep!

I know that standardization is kind of a swear word around here but it can have its uses.  Since the Sling had SO MANY variables involved in its use, standardization helps by reducing some of them.  I mean really, a change in length of your sling by even a few centimeters can really throw you off!  Pouch style, same.  Distance, same..  Ad nauseum..

You'd be surprised at how quickly you can dial in your accuracy. However the key to such progress is to be as consistent in as many factors during practice as you can realistically manage. That means you should use the same sling in the same style to sling consistent ammo with consistent form. The more you pay attention to the details, the better. (Especially with form.)

Basically don't sloppily juggle 5 different slings and styles, aiming only at the horizon and switching between fist-sized chunks of masonry and troll dolls all willy-nilly. 


Starting with half-power, and focusing on narrowing your "death cone" while increasing power and range are a decent way to go about it.
Also, to quote a certain movie, "Aim small, miss small." Meaning if you're trying to hit a target, be very specific about what part you want to hit. This really, REALLY helps me.

Sometimes pointing at the target helps me. I like focusing on my slinging arm's index finger upon release, but some prefer to point with their off-hand until the last second. Definitely a preference thing

When I first moved out into the country and subsequently found that I was now in a place where stones were abundant, I began getting lazy and slinging random, poorly shaped stones while working on my form.  My form got better,  more consistent and more controlled but my accuracy only got a little better.  Still I was happy with any progress.  Then winter came and the river that I have to cross to get to my slinging area flooded.  So I began making manufactured concrete ammo again and slinging in a field next to my home.  I have made loads of this stuff over the years and said I would never do it again.  But when faced with making ammo or not slinging at all, I of course broke down.  Very consistent and well shaped with the drawback of having to replace lost ammo constantly.  And pretty soon my accuracy shot up through the roof to get in line with my now (apparently) much better technique. At the time I was thinking "Wow, I'm almost at my goal of sling mastery! This is amazing." 

Then late spring gets here,  the river dies down and I go back to my favorite slinging area to demolish those small targets which, before, had been so troublesome.  I begin using all my old stones from last year and suddenly my accuracy drops again... Ahh... So depressing.  Not matter how good your technique, you will never be able to master the sling with poorly shaped stones.  I keep hoping that as I get better and better that it won't be such a problem, but I doubt it.

But accuracy really does sneak up on you.  It's amazing just how quickly you can get 50% to 100% better when you change some previously unknown problem in your technique.

Mick wrote on Apr 11^th, 2013 at 1:58am:


lol not exactly.
I can easily replicate the cap paul.
What I mean is always use a sling of the same design and length. The less you have to think about release point and pouch travel the more you can concentrate on improving your physical technique.

I'd also advocate regular exercise, gym sessions and tai chi