Ok… I’ll admit my title was a bit click-baitey. Sorry, not sorry, because I’m about to explain why accuracy is actually easier with this style… specifically for short range targets that aren’t in motion. Feel free to disagree, but please do try it and THEN let’s debate the merits. And of course, remember that any style requires a lot of practice to build the muscle memory, so you’ll be better at the style you’re most practiced with generally even if it’s an inferior style 

Bottom line up-front… the best style for learning short range accuracy is an inline underhand windup with a sidearm throw. The number of pre-rotations in the windup doesn’t seem to matter. What does matter is that the windup is in line with the shot, and the power stroke doesn’t pull the shot off the line. Basically think of punching at the target in the power stroke instead of swinging the arm in an arc.

Why is this the best? In any slinging style, accuracy comes down to two things: form and timing. In an inline vertical windup, form primarily dictates left and right aim, and release timing controls vertical aim.
Timing is more difficult to perfect than form, and a late release is more common than an early release. With an underhand windup, a late release will fly above the target… but gravity pulls the shot back down, which helps compensate for small timing errors.

Compare this to something like a Byzantine, where timing mostly controls left/right aim and body form controls vertical aim. Gravity compensates for form instead of timing, and form is actually easier to get right compared to timing precision, so inline vertical beats Byzantine.

What about Balearic style where the windup is behind the back?  Balearic style doesn’t isolate form errors from timing errors. If you miss, it’s more difficult to know how to correct the problem.  With inline verticals (assuming a right-handed slinger), a miss to the right means the windup was pointed to the right of the bullseye and you need to bend the elbow a bit more during the windup. A miss left is either misaligned windup OR a really late release where your arm pulls inward before the ammo exits the pouch.  A really late release will almost always be both left AND above the aim point. A good power stroke form will a late release will hit directly above the bullseye. The point here is that you can diagnose the shot and make adjustments more easily on the followup shot with an inline windup, but Balearic style doesn’t isolate variables, so it’s difficult to diagnose a miss.

Figure-8 (or any overhand windup)? A late release will fly low, and gravity accentuates the problem instead of mitigating it.

Can you learn to be accurate with other styles? Yes… obviously, but the fastest and easiest way to get accurate is with an underhand inline windup.  Change my mind.

I can vouch for Balearic style misses being hard to diagnose. I've been trying on that style for more than a year and I still don't know what I'm doing wrong when I miss.

I've started practicing figure 8 lately and I'm finding it far easier to correct than Balearic.

I'm not sure if I disagree or not yet.

I've definitely seen your throw, but would you consider either of these to be the same style?

I timed stamped the links so you'll see a throw right away.

https://youtu.be/Rqk1Sys_qUs?t=63
https://youtu.be/zO9-sKjfC4M?t=300

I'm assuming not because the rotor isn't quite inline with the target, and I go into a much more side arm release (not just arm movement) during the power stroke.  Just want to confirm that's your assessment as well.

Convincing argument.
My most common miss is actually high to the right , it’s mainly when I’m trying to put too much power in the shot. I think it’s more a mental issue than a form issue I don’t set my goal in my head as the target but just throwing hard . It happens a lot in my distance training, it could also be related to my small knot slipping earlier with more power and maybe some pouch ammo interactions .

Interesting… Mersa, you and Iron Goober are both distance/power slingers, and you both trend towards missing early instead of late.  This suggests that a late-shooter might do better by increasing the shot power, rather than going slow.  It would be very counterintuitive to go faster if timing errors are the source of inaccuracy 🤔
Needs more investigation.

NooneOfConsequence wrote on Mar 7^th, 2023 at 7:27am:


Diagnosing a miss with balearic style is easy!
1. Did the ball hit where you aimed?
Yes --> good job, you did it right.
No --> You did it wrong.

Easy.

How did I do? Mind changed yet?

NooneOfConsequence wrote on Mar 7^th, 2023 at 7:27am:

I've noticed this happening in the past.  On days when accuracy is crap I've gotten frustrated and thought 'If I'm not hitting the target I might as well start throwing really hard just for fun'.  And hits start occurring.  Definitely not a one time occurrence either.

IronGoober wrote on Mar 7^th, 2023 at 9:47am:

That's similar to how I feel when doing side-arm throws. I more often miss to the left, and when I do my power-stroke feels off.

Occasionally I'd be making accurate shots consistently then all of a sudden it drops and I can't regain it. It's hard to know the exact timing of when to begin the power-stroke.