I think we all agree that backhand throws with a sling might not be very suitable for target slinging, because you are facing away from the target while initiating your throw. But I had some thoughts that a good amount of power can be produced by "opening" the body, rather than "closing" it. From my gymnastics background I know that a standing backflip is way easier than a standing frontflip. A part of this is that you can utilize a really long way of acceleration by a backhand move. Also, I am not a frisbee or disc golf expert, but I can throw a frisbee way further by using a backhand motion compared to the other motion of which I don´t even know the name  .

Long story short:
Today I tried to throw tennis balls with a 1.05 m sling for distance, backhand. I never tried this technique before and was kind of shocked when I saw those tennis balls fly. After only 10 shots I could throw nearly as far as with my normal distance technique with whitch I threw over 1000 reps to this day. I don´t think I will give up my old technique for the backhand, but I think there is great potential if it is practiced and perfected.

Here is a video of my normal technique and the backhand technique side by side.

https://youtu.be/R6skgnOIhA8

Very interesting!!

I think you are right it is more easy to “open”  your body than to “close” your body.

I also don’t know anatomy/muscle structure…..but I would guess “distance throwing sports” such as  discus or hammer throwing must go in the direction they go to maximize the body

That is just a guess of course. Please continue to investigate this backhand idea. It is very interesting!


Although I think your difference in distance is due to you keeping your hips closed (turned further away from the target) for the backhand.  You could also turn your back to the target and spin for a forehand throw to give a better comparison.

FloatingFlint wrote on Jul 5^th, 2026 at 3:45pm:



Wrist might be weaker, but the whole total body motion might be greater overall???

I think you might have something with potential. Never occurred to me, but once you pointed it out, why don’t you see slinging backhand and forehand like a frisbee?

Speaking of frisbee, I got curious and google a video of the longest frisbee throw….and it was thrown backhand like this new thing you are trying!  How about that?    The frisbee throw is a pirouette that to me at least seems more natural and fluid than forehand pirouette sling throws.

Take a look:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joW8GkcnaMk

Man, if only we could have someone out at the receiving end on a bike like they do. Would make retrieval so much easier!

Also, pretty interesting that we're(people other than me) able to pretty consistently outthrow a rock versus something that was designed in CAD for aerodynamic lift and to literally float. Another testament to the power of mechanical advantage!

PrimalSlinging shows a backhand as one of the styles in this video.

https://youtube.com/shorts/-n7mAVqcuzc?is=pX-jztwnTMg4D17n