How to Shoot a Slingshot - 7 Steps in 7 Minutes Slingshot Shooting Tutorial for Beginners

This comprehensive guide on how to shoot a slingshot takes just 7 minutes, with 7 steps. It covers the basics of eye dominance, grip styles, aiming techniques, and proper handling to ensure accuracy and safety.
The first thing you need to know is your eye dominance. This is important because it determines which eye you instinctively use to sight your target. To figure this out, make a small circle with your hands and pick an object in the distance to look at through that circle. Now, with your hands out in front of you, close each eye one at a time. One of your eyes will see the object through the circle, and the other won’t. The eye that sees the object is your dominant eye.
If it is your right eye, hold the slingshot in your left hand and vice versa. This way, the drawing hand is under the dominant eye, helping you aim your slingshot better.
Next, let's talk about grip styles. There are three main grips: the hammer grip, pinch grip, and brace grip. The hammer grip is a common and comfortable way to start shooting. You hold the slingshot like you would a hammer. The pinch grip involves wrapping your hand around the forks near the top for more stability. The brace grip, which is the most popular among modern shooters, involves bracing your thumb against the frame and wrapping your forefinger around it. This provides the most stability.
Now, on to how to hold the slingshot. You'll want to hold it sideways. This aligns the bands with your dominant eye, creating a straight line from your eye to the corner of the fork tip. This alignment is crucial for accurate aiming. On the Scout X, Axiom X and Scout LT2, for example, there’s a bright fiber optic pin on the corner of the fork that serves as an excellent aiming reference. If your frame doesn't have an optic pin, consider one of those models, or find another point on the frame that allows you to line up your shot every time.
Holding the pouch correctly is another key part. Make sure the knots where the bands tie to the pouch are even and equidistant from the forks. When you pinch the ball, make sure it’s centered in the pouch. This balance is essential for accuracy. To load the ammo, point the slingshot upwards, let the pouch hang like a swing, and ensure the target side (the side that says "SimpleShot" on the Scout as shown) faces the sky. Place your ammo in the center of the pouch, pinch it, and switch your fingers without letting the pouch touch itself in front of the ammo.
Finding a consistent anchor point is next. This is a specific spot on your body where you draw the ammo out to. For me, it’s right under my cheek with my thumb. A consistent anchor point ensures reliable, repeatable shots. Make sure your elbow is up and straight to help ensure a clean release.
Finally, let's talk about a steady hand and smooth release. When you draw back, you might shake a little, but that will go away with practice. You want the pouch to slip out of your fingers smoothly without any jerking. When you aim, sight down the band from your dominant eye to the end of the fork tip, and release the band as the fork tip aligns with your target.
Let's recap. First, determine your eye dominance. Next, figure out your preferred grip style. Hold the slingshot sideways, making sure your pouch is balanced and the ammo is loaded correctly. Find a reliable anchor point, and maintain a steady hand with a smooth release. Follow these steps, and you'll be shooting accurately in no time.
We hope this video was helpful. Remember, if you need any help with your slingshots, we're here for you. Now get out there and have some fun!
LINKS:
Scout X (shown) | simple-shot.com/products/scou...
Scout LT (v2) | simple-shot.com/products/scou...
Axiom X PRO | simple-shot.com/products/axio...
Cleaver PRO | simple-shot.com/products/clea...
00:00 Introduction
00:16 1. Eye Dominance
01:24 2. Slingshot Grips
02:11 3. Holding the Slingshot Frame
02:49 4. Holding the Slingshot Pouch
03:34 5. Loading the Slingshot Ammo
04:11 6. Find your Anchor Point
04:45 7. Aim & Release
05:32 Putting it all Together
06:18 Recap - 7 Steps to Slingshot Success
06:57 Thank you. Have fun!

[@marctull3596]

Add wearing safety glasses to step 1!

[@michaelb.42112]

Thanks Jordan, as much as I try I still need direction.

[@mikecollins8241]

Awesome video! I only wish it came out 3 months ago, when I started shooting.. but, I can't say enough good things about Simple Shot's products and customer service, not to mention their entire library of slingshot videos :)

[@Faustj515]

Great work Jordan, SimpleShot's educational videos are the best out there. A great resource for all of us.

[@simpleshot]

Glad you think so!

[@jcismysavior9126]

100 percent agree

[@ashikrafi290]

Jordon can we expect your designs in simple shot line in upcoming years ??? ❤❤

[@BallistaClub]

This is from the best guides for slingshot shooters! Tight and direct! Good job SimpleShot! Smo, this shirt looks good on you brother! :P

[@MR-lt2oj]

Great job Jordan you go boy😀

[@omartech110]

Thanks❤ slingshot fam from Philippines💪🏾💯

[@CatapultCarnage]

Excellent demonstration.

[@simpleshot]

That means a lot coming from one of the best teachers out there. Thanks! 🎯

[@Trackattack.911]

Great job my friend. Great details and very professional

[@coyoteslings]

Nice Job Jordan 👌

[@threestarsandasling]

Excellent tutorial Smo! Congrats!! It was a very concise and professional presentation. Keep it up bro 🙌

[@TheDogcatchersito]

Good job smo, Indy on the map now. Woo woo!!!

[@canvandal4503]

Fantastic my friend! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@CGSLNGZ]

SMO is the Man! Great video and congrats on being with Team Simpleshot!

[@simpleshot]

He is a wonderful guy!

[@Handcarvedslingshotcatapult]

Great video man 👍

[@danpost4755]

I just recently received my Scout X. I have not had the opportunity to shoot it yet. I am very much looking forward to it. This demo came at just the right time. Thanks!

[@simpleshot]

Have fun! We are here to help if you have any questions.

[@michaelb.42112]

So cool ! I just got into sling shots a year or two ago and am addicted. It's really fun, good wholesome fun but my neighbors yelled at me for shooting the STOP sign. Good thing a bunch of coolege girls thought it was hilarious and took photos of the dented sign for online, I suppose.

[@nathangrueber9834]

​​@@simpleshothi there i just did your eye dominance test. I hold slingshot in my left hand im right handed. Ive always used my right eye for ott because thats how its taught. But doing your test im left eye dominant?? So now what the heck do i do im not changing hands!?? You teach nwver to change your anchor point. But im getting groups about 2inches right and high. And i cant aford to be aiming in an imaginary point two inches left and low all the time cos its not accurate floating out in the wind hoping for a hit. You need that hit on your reference point else why bother having sites at all?? Surely you move your reference point to match your anchor??

[@bobmarley6161]

Fantastic guidance... Thank you kindly... Very much appreciated

[@simpleshot]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Jb429421]

Great job Jordan!!

[@Ropa_Redefined]

Awesome job, Jordan. 👍

[@coinworker]

Great information! Well done.

[@gidukvideos5084]

Very good tutorial my friend 👍

[@CoryKessler-sb3lo]

Nice job Jordan happy for you bro

[@josephlichtenberger7266]

great vid smo

[@user-ey5fm7lu1x]

I thought I'd share a flaw in my shooting I recently figured out. I was the kid that was always told to sit up straight. As a result I naturally slouch just a bit. I kept getting left/right misses I couldn't explain. One day it clicked and I started making sure I was standing up straight and tensing my back muscles a bit. A straight back is a kind of mechanical lock. You can't be any more upright than that. That makes it easily repeatable, whereas a slouching posture can a bit different every time.

[@TennesseeSlangin]

Nice job Smo! Great information!

[@SigmaGhost1111]

Thank you for the great tutorial. I have a quick question. It has become apparent from watching this video that i am sighting with my non-dominant eye. I hold the pouch with my right hand, sight with my right eye, and my anchor point is my right cheek, but it is actually my left eye that is dominant, so does this pose a problem for me with regards to accuracy and how can i correct this if it does? Many thanks for the great vids and awesome products. Simpleshot rules.

[@coyoteslings]

I shoot with the "wrong eye" also, it really just depends on the shooter. I'm right handed, right eye dominate, but I usually shoot my slingshot holding the frame in my right hand. Your dominate hand is better at point and shoot. Hope this helps

[@simpleshot]

It will certainly be more difficult to have consistent accuracy. Try holding the frame in the other hand and drawing to your dominant eye. While it is odd feeling at first, it does help in the long run.

[@SigmaGhost1111]

@@coyoteslings Thanks, yes that helps. Haha, I've just been stood with my slingshot practicing my aim trying to work out if i'm just weird or not. I'm right handed, hold the slingshot with my left hand and i'm left eye dominant, but i use my right eye to sight. When i close my right eye and use my left instead it throws my aim out by a few inches. I think as long as i'm sighting down the bands to the fork tip then i can still use my non dominant eye to get that straight line of sight. It's something i've never considered before and has me intrigued. Thanks bud, i appreciate it.

[@SigmaGhost1111]

@@simpleshot Thanks for the reply. I'm going to give it a go. It really has me intrigued as i've never considered eye dominance before. I guess tomorrow i'm going to be trying a few things out. If it helps me become a more consistant shooter then it'll be well worth it. I feel like i have an opportunity to level up my progression and break through a plateau. Thanks again, it means a lot to me.

[@sidneezingara1976]

@@SigmaGhost1111when I first started, I was missing my targets by a few inches consistently until I soon realized I was using the wrong eye. I’m right handed, left eye dominant. I am kind of a motor moron with drawing with my left arm, so I trained myself to use my -dominant eye for aiming. This has worked for me. I carry it over to my firearm training as well, to stay consistent.

[@jayhersey2793]

Great tutorial, nice job Jordan.

[@ianpearce78]

Great video buddy, I enjoyed and learned from it, good job.

[@simpleshot]

Thanks 👍

[@Hoggy1963]

Goid tutorial, thanks

[@simpleshot]

You're welcome!

[@dannyl.wellington4073]

Great job wheres Nathan

[@Jake-xy9nd]

Great tuteral great job like all ways buddy👏👊

[@simpleshot]

Thanks for the visit

[@sidneezingara1976]

I like the optic! Does the clip fit on other Scout models? I recently brought out my Axiom Ocularis, which I haven’t used in a while. Realized my Scout is my favorite😜

[@sidneezingara1976]

Ooooh… I see there’s a special model for the X! Didn’t know this was a thing! I’ll just have to get the new Scout, too!😜

[@jasonthun9943]

Can we please see a Glow in the dark Slant Roller or Sparrow next? Those are two really cool and really comfortable slingshots besides being unique. I know the Scout is popular but, it'd be nice to see other frames in cool colors/ glow in the dark besides the scout. If you made a glow in the dark Slant Roller or a glow in the dark Sparrow I'd buy it or them on the spot. Glow in the dark things are cool.

[@simpleshot]

Unfortunately at this time, other frames are not an option.

[@emersonb5764]

Saw the glow in the dark champ and ordered immediately. Getting closer to the ultimate frame. Let’s get a glow in the dark LT2 and I’ll buy 3 of em.

[@TheSmoShow1]

There's glow in the dark scales and clips for the scout LT2!!

[@axsomoutdooradventures]

Great video.

[@simpleshot]

Thanks!

[@zachslingshots]

Smo!

[@mikevandebunt811]

I notice that eye protection is not on the list.

[@simpleshot]

It's written out a few times during the demonstration. Thanks for being cautious!

[@rustyshackleford9557]

Thank you Mike. I grew up on a brushy ranch and everything pokes ya. Eye glasses were just a given. But I notice that hikers and campers and even guys slingin' 8mm steel rarely have a pair of glasses on. One bit of saw dust/bark etc to the eye can wreck a fishing, hunting, hiking, shooting....trip. As a bonified old man, " kids! Wear yer glasses". Thank you, end of rant.

[@mowdan77]

I can't wink lol

[@matttracks6305]

because his thumbnail is facing his cheek, and he's pinching the ammo, does this mean the bands are pulled with a 90 degree twist in them?

[@Erforscher1]

Is he wearing Safety Contacts?