Here are different figure 8 styles I am working on. The goal is to add more distance.

https://youtu.be/NkPPoCJBHNk?is=ByIiNY_uX_2AxVaa

In the near future will throw for distance, collect data, and report how each style worked for me. Anyone want to guess which style will wind up adding the most distance?

Here is distance data to compare each style.

RESULTS
Using a 30.75” long Twin Loop sling, tennis ball ammo, throwing on a grass field with no wind, I recorded the following distances for the Figure 8 styles show in the above video: 


Upright style, static flat-footed start, average distance = 73 yards.

Lean back style, adds torso momentum, average distance = 78 yards

Twist and Lean back style, adds torso twisting to torso momentum, average distance = 78 yards

Crow Hop, adds body’s forward momentum, average distance = 77 yards

NEW STYLE (described below, not in video), average distance = 80 yards


ANALYSIS
In every case where “extra” body momentum was added to the basic upright, flat-footed Figure 8 throw distance was significantly improved.

In theory, the Crow Hop with its entire body forward momentum  should add the most distance (entire body moving = maximum momentum). In practice, the timing of the sling’s Figure 8 motion was hard to get correct and the Crow Hop was performed at a less optimal manner.  In addition, power also comes from hip turn/shoulder turn separation……which was also hard to maximize during the dynamic “hopping” movement.

Being static starts, the “Lean Back” and the “Twist and Lean” style were much easier to get good hip turn/shoulder turn separation, which led to distance increases.  Recognizing the practicality of the static start vs the dynamic Crow Hop start, during testing a new style was created that resulted in the greatest distance. The new style starts as a Lean Back style, and then once leaned back, a small hip shoulder pivot of about 20 degrees is added.     This new style differs from the Twist and Lean style, which twist 45 degrees and only then leans back.  The new style of “lean first, then twist a little less” was found to be less awkward in practice.


CONCLUSION
For the moment, the new style of “lean back first, then twist a little” is the best Figure 8 style for distance for me.    The Crow Hop has potential, but I will need to do a lot more work.