Slinging techniques

Another of my series on slings - this time the techniques of using them.
This one turned out a bit longer than I had intended. Sorry about that. I try to keep them down to five minutes or under, but this one got away from me. At one point I start to repeat myself, and then grind to a slow halt, which I think is symptomatic of a man who is sure he meant to say something more, but can't think what it was. I remembered some while later, and had to get back into costume to shoot the extra bit.
I'm doing rather a lot on slings, because I think that knowledge of them is comparatively rare, and I have a lot I could say about them. At least two more to come.
My website has small video files of my using a sling on Newcastle Town Moor: www.lloydianasp...
www.LloydianAspects.co.uk

[@joedewitt3340]

I respect how little your background has changed in the last 10 years, all content no pomp

[@dommyshan]

Legends say, ancient slingers that built up speed too fast by swinging it above their heads for too long, are helicoptering in the atmosphere to this very day....

[@TheCompleteMental]

soi soi soi soi soi soi soi soi

[@pjfl45h1]

Blast from the past, but I had this video on in the background and when you started talking about "slinging" and how you've been "slinging for a fair few years now" i thought you were an articulate English drug dealer

[@PoleTooke]

Are most drug dealers not articulate then? Lol

[@keepermovin5906]

@@PoleTooke they certainly aren’t as well spoken as he is

[@Metaldude1945]

A request: Could you do a video on ancient/medieval artillery? Would love to hear your opinion on that!

[@lindybeige]

@LucanJacups In World War Two, resistance fighters in Norway had crossbows, and stay-behind agents in Britain were trained in the use of the bow.

[@brocknspectre1221]

When I was a kid, having been taught the story of David and Goliath, myself and my friends took slings very seriously. We practiced with them constantly and became pretty good. We flung rocks of course, but it was more fun to throw apples, snowballs or horse manure at each other. I remember having a very large sling that could hurl a rock the size of a small grapefruit farther than I could throw any small rock by hand. I would put handfuls of crab apples in it and fling them shotgun style at any kid foolish enough to bike past my house. Good times!

[@brocknspectre1221]

Oh and also, you didn’t mention slings tied to the end of a staff. We used these a lot. They were a little like artillery in that you could throw a comparatively huge projectile, in our case it would be a snowball the size of a cantaloupe typically filled with dog sh*t, much farther than with just the string sling, but it was hard to set up on your own and worked best if you have one man operating the sling and another loading it for him.

[@trikkinikki970]

@@brocknspectre1221 you were a fucked-up kid that learned all the wrong parts of the bible.

[@neilwilson5785]

This is just a perfect fit for the things I want to see online. History, experimentation, informed opinion. I learned a lot about slings tonight. Cheers mate!

[@nukeacitrus883]

You know a man trusts his sling when he goes "This won't slip" and points the stone directly at the camera.

[@frogbear02]

"Let it go when it feels right to, and everything will work out fine" Ok, I can do this...*misses target completely, neighbors window shatters*...Goes to show what feels right to my subconscious coordination, though I grant you it still felt right to smash his window, since, my neighbors an idiot who broke my fence, so lets have another go at this then..

[@duksingchau8948]

+frogbear02 Good idea!

[@shadowdeslaar]

I’m your neighbor

[@googleyoutubeaccount]

But what about the Hash Slinging Slashers?

[@robcobb2693]

Hash slinging slasher is my dealers street name

[@RedSky-vf8bf]

This is one of the few times I've seen Lloyd having difficulty articulating something. I guess that's the nature of the sling, simple to the point where it's difficult to put into words. At least in modern English.

[@Cydia942]

It's all in the technique! First go like this... SPIN AROUND!!! STOP!!! Double take three times. 1. 2. 3. Theeeen PELVIC THRUST!!! Whooooooh. Whooooooh. STOP ON YOUR RIGHT FOOT DON'T FORGET IT!!! Now it's time to bring it around town. Bring it around town. Then you do this. Then this. And this. Then that. This n' that. And this n' that. And then! Ffffffwhooo.

[@notsoprogaming9789]

lol spongebob

[@peterasbjrnhansen2834]

lets do the timewarp again.

[@suzannesadiiqa]

There's a famous statue of David by Michelangelo showing him using the two handed technique.

[@lindybeige]

@WakarimasenKa If you are good, and want to lob over a wall, and are not in a hurry, and have to do it a lot, then this might be a good way to do it. But if horizontal power, accuracy, or speed are the priorities then I wouldn't recommend it. Also, a BIG drawback of underarm is that if it goes wrong you can end up slinging backwards or straight upwards, which are dangerous.

[@BenevolentXMachine]

Have you seen the primitive technology channel where the dude makes a sling out of bark fibers and practices? Like a lot?? It's pretty entertaining, and that was my first foray into slinging. Your technique is for ancient artillery? Not for hunting I presume.

[@alexkecskemeti5727]

There's very little truth to what you wrote. It's true that it's difficult for Palestinians to get weapons, but the main reason they use slings and rocks is to minimize the risk to themselves while (violently) protesting - they know the Israeli soldiers won't shoot to kill on protesters with slings, whereas they might if and when more modern deadly weapons are used. Goliath was a Philistine, a people that while similar in name, have zero connection to the modern-day Palestinians (which are descended from Arabs).

[@bentleykennedy-stone673]

Glad you debunked that dude so i dont have to... It goes without saying that david and goliath are fictional... Not to mention how retarded it would be for a group of people to deliberately handicap themselves to cultivate some vague sense of international pity based on an ancient myth.

[@lindybeige]

@n2488 No. Clay balls were used in the Middle East too, and elsewhere in the ancient world. I know someone who used a tennis ball as a mould to make concrete staff sling balls, and he reports this worked well.

[@lindybeige]

Not quite sure what you mean by circular. Underarm I have tried, and it is okay for low-energy tossing of stones, but I wouldn't use it with oomph. One big drawback of it is that if it goes wrong, the stone goes behind you.

[@kaijupants9095]

I tend to weave my slings with pretty taught nylon cordage, and I prefer having my sling with a ring on my fingers, so I make the ring large enough to fit over both my ring and middle finger. I've also found that with a thicker cord, especially when woven I don't need a knot or bead to hold, but can do something more akin to the Baeloric style where I grip the cord with the flat of my hand and cast it out with an open palm similar to a net.

[@soldtobediers]

Great programs, being from Texas, i threw solid and hydraulic 8oz. lifters, from overhauled car engines, when i was 12, from a 50# test trot-line cords and an old boot tongue fashioned pouch. Favored them all my life Lindybeige. In 73 while in Desert Training at Ft. Bliss, my platoon broke for noon chow, we noticed a gaggle of buzzards just out of baseball throwing range waiting on the ground for our leftovers. Being an 82nd Abn. Paratrooper, i fashion a para-cord sling with a sacrificed inner rucksack pouch. Well it was now selective ammo time, and the only decent rocks available, were 3/4" thick 2"by 2" lightweight desert rock. Rusty as hell, but lucky as the never forgotten ability to swim, or bicycle... i loosed the rock, and the damnedest whirrrr, followed, with an obvious curve, straight into the very middle of what i thought were clumsy gangly birds. To everyone who was watching's surprise... they merely hopped up or sidestepped the still deadly rock, then stood-fast waiting for what they believed more... and i cast a few more. Taunts of get em sgt. (rock) -given lifelong nickname, and bets scurried pro and con of bird and rock contact, carried on. In comforting retrospect... it was far more satisfying watching them dodge my cheered on attempts, than would have it been to actually kill or maim one... For we both had a job of cleaning up messes before they stank later. -gilpin 8-27-15

[@danielevans545]

This may be the manliest thing I've ever read, I think my beard just got slightly thicker.

[@ioangogov2993]

William Gilpin not sure who has more skill.the attacker or the dodging birds !

[@moinmt]

Hey this guy was cool before Slinging Org existed. Who needs Clive Owen, you are very entertaining yerself.I have made a sling and it's one in the morning but have already had to go out and try it.I hope all the chickens, pigs and goats are ok.I launched four rocks and they all went in front. I couldn't tell where but hit something. Not bad I'd say for a 1st time. Now I can't wait till the sun comes up!Loved yer video! Want to move to the Montana wilderness and keep me entertained?LOL!

[@lindybeige]

@44SCB In battle? Because muskets are terrifying, and morale is what wins battles.

[@simonspacek3670]

Sling is interesting weapon. At october I made one with quite a big pocket (or cup) and I used gravel to knock walnuts from tree. It feels amazing.

[@othelloperrello6604]

The best advice for when to release I've heard is this "You're holding the knot, throw it like you would anything."

[@OdeeOz]

This is fantastic information for a tutorial! As a kid, I gave up on slings, because I could never get the release correct. And that in itself is odd, because I can rope a calf, or cow from horseback with little trouble. So I went to rubber-banded Slingshots, Bows, and Rifles. Now I can try something new that is easy to make, repair and use.

[@lindybeige]

It can work, and might be used to lob stones over a wall in a lazy manner, perhaps. But, it the stone leaves the pouch late, you sling to behind you, which will not be appreciated by allies.

[@lindybeige]

Not sure what you mean by 'member'. I had pages on my website on slinging before slinging.org had a website, and there are links on it to my pages.

[@David43515]

I generally use an overhand throw without a wind up similar to what you called a javelin type throw.For 2 handed throws I don`t toss the cup with the off hand, instead I hold the cup in the off hand in front of me, arm stretched out. The right hand pulls the cords tight and pulls the cup out of the off hand. It passes round my head on the left and then it`s basically a regular overhand throw from the right side.This way the cords are always taught. I`d think tossing the cup would be too slack.

[@woodsmn8047]

I always found the biblical story of David and Goliath not so hard to believe because I made and used slings and personally experienced the power of this weapon..and it IS formidable

[@keepermovin5906]

If anything David had the advantage in that fight

[@lindybeige]

You can swerve towards the vertical, but you can't do a full swing vertically, because the sling hits the ground.

[@Aroddo]

@lindybeige stop apologizing for how long your videos are or how much you ramble! You're interesting and entertaining. I really like your videos and everyone feels the same. So stop apologizing. You're doing great!

[@lindybeige]

@Mosquito180 I do hope that does not mean that this video proved a disappointment.

[@lindybeige]

@BillRoyMcBill double-handed? I've not seen that technique.

[@gerbilsmith]

in the DK picture book on weapons there is a pic from medieval times of a slinger who looks to be using a motion like one would use with a yo-yo ie back of hand facing forward then 'thrown' forward with had ending up with palm up. may not be as powerful but may be more accurate

[@LucanJacups]

@44SCB Because nobody had used slings for hundreds of years? Benjamin Franklin did seriously consider arming the minutemen with longbows however.

[@lindybeige]

@Snagglefratz I have seen a few underarm stones slung backwards. I wouldn't want a man in front of me using it.

[@sumanthganapathibasavapatn141]

5:51 He means when the centripetal acceleration, combined with its mass and radius, creates a torque sufficient to defy gravity to a certain extent. Then, you can release it, snapping the radial acceleration and turning it into linear acceleration tangential to the point of release.

[@PANTTERA1959]

Two hand works during movement,running,horseback etc.

[@himanshuwilhelm5534]

The first sling I made was made of crochet, I used it to throw snowballs.

[@hathiphnath]

I don't think your audience would mind the length of the videos. Take as long as you need =)

[@IHatchetJack]

@lindybeige Oops...no. Actually it was the figure eight technique which I suppose lends itself to such an incident more than underarm... heh...

[@reminder9146]

Holy near ten years old Lindybeige! You've come far in quality!

[@lindybeige]

@Midnighter169 By avoiding spinning round and round at the time?

[@cuscof2]

Just got back from Peru, and checked with a relative who grew up herding his father's stock. He spent a lot of his day hunting doves, wild guinea pigs, and viscacha (looks like a rabbit with a squirrel tail), and can hit a cement telephone pole from 30 meters away hard enough to break the rock. His technique is completely different than that shown here, which was probably optimized to send large masses of missiles as far downrange as possible. Start underhand, bring it up and over your head, almost horizontal. You don't get the distance of an overhand shot and you won't want to use as large a rock, but can be deadly accurate.

[@Nosirrbro]

In battle when you've a wall of guys coming at you hitting anybody would suffice.

[@lindybeige]

See forth-coming video on pros and cons of slings.

[@josiahmann5605]

I feel like I've been lied to into how you're support to use a sling all my life. :-( thanks for the clarification Lindybeige. :-)

[@lindybeige]

@PresidentDRCI It is in the Balearic Isles.

[@lindybeige]

@jabames Most do, but unusually I do not.

[@Usammityduzntafraidofanythin]

Does slinging involve the same skills as throwing? Like, if someone can throw a baseball really well (or knife, if they're hollywood) would be good with a sling too? Can you do it while kneeling? 5:30 - Well unless you're trying to take off.

[@wakanakapisihello5655]

A Guy With Zeratul as His Profile Pic ...ive been slinging for several(3-4?) years now, and ive tried pretty much every method possible. The helicopter I hate, if you HAVE to wind up the figure 8 across the body side to side is far more efficient, overhand or underhand. The method I settled on and call mine is different from all discussed here, and superior to all given application. The Apache sling is not meant to be launched at a massed force at range, its a sniper shot in tight where it matters. The fellow I learned from learned from an Apache he knew as Grandfather, a term.of respect among the people and helpful since he couldnt pronounce his name anyway. Grandfather was born in 1890, the year the Apache were finally disarmed and subjected to the reservation. No weapons were allowed at all, so the "gift from the ancients" was it if there was to be any hunting. He could throw from 35-40 yards at climbing pegs on utility poles with an 85% hit rate and shatter the rocks with each hit. He was pushing 70 at the time. To answer the question that prompted this novel, yes you can sling from high grass, brush, and around obstacles, but only with this method if you expect much success. There is no wind up, and its done best from mostly even weight distribution and a relaxed state, almost squared away with target. Roll your shoulder back so your hand is about where your rear pocket should be, take a breath and lock on target, and toeards emd of relaxed exhale come straight up and over, letting your weight shift to your forward foot just a bit...think Dr. J's skyhook...the power is crazy given its a short sling method, and in not much time the precision is impressive. I guess it took about a month to get ateast not a threat to public safety, and a couple more before considtent accuracy, but putting a golfball sized rock in area about 4x6 inches (Spot for toplink on pushblade for dozer) at a lil over 30 yards is the norm, say 8 of 10 throws. And shattering stones is mandatory, plus several bounces and a lot of sparks in low light...for s much better description and lesson on this and many other techniques, go to www.slinging.org/apache sling...be sure to check out staff slings and rockman Russo's bowlingball sling...funny as hell. Good site snd people, and more on the subject on every page than there is on KZbin altogether...later on folks...

[@mardukgilgamesh1500]

U can use slings to throw javelins :)

[@PresidentDRCI]

why is slinging not a track & field Sport? it isn't exactly easy to hit a target with them, so it's a challenge but it's also a hell of a lotta fun!

[@PietSpaans]

Why didnt they use rods? The slinging techniques are so much like casting techniques for beach fishermen. It seems so obvious that you can give a lot more speed with a longflexible pole. Just know about the atlatl and the amentum for spear throwing.

[@christophersheffield9574]

i love overarm for accuracy but try backhand for fun. lots of distance but hardly any accuracy. as for the long slings, i can sling with a ridiculous length of sling but i never require more than one full rotation to achieve a full power blow. i doubt that any ancient civ ever flung a sling around and around thier heads. the longer you spin the less accuracy you have, the more danger to those around you AND the less rate of fire you have. just my two cents on my years of slinging. just remember that the power comes from your legs, your torso and your arms all working together to fling the projectile the furthest. its like pitching in baseball. if you want extra distance you can spin your body in a 360 before release to give that extra 'umph' if no one is around you that is.

[@captainstigen]

I think that depends on how the opposing force is arranged, and how many there are.

[@13loneystreet]

Loved the info in this presentation. But I was constantly wishing it was John Cleese and the Monty Python crew I was having 'a laugh' at/with.

[@lynndonharnell422]

Why is this not an Olympic event...

[@B1G_Dave]

Total War: ROME II brought me here. It really is easier to sling something, than to use a bow and arrow. The effective range is similar and in a way, using a sling gives you more power and control over longer ranges.

[@leonpacuret4337]

Not much control over a sling unless your a master A bow is a lot easier to use and has more range unless your a master slinger in which case the sling has more range

[@tombrown407]

+Leon Pacuret A Sling will never have more range than any Bow made for anything opther than children for target practice.

[@leonpacuret4337]

+Tom Brown the Romans had slingers in there army for the very purpose of out ranging bows maybe modern bows are a lot more powerful but slings were better for range than ancient bows

[@tigersmil]

+Tom Brown a rain day

[@xthformmikemurray3004]

Actually slings have a much greater range and impact force than bows. It is written in many roman and Israeli manuscripts

[@shonuffisthemaster]

i use a similar technique and have found it to be the most effective and accurate for me. the only difference is that i hold the pouch with the rock in it infront of me with my other hand, throwing hand low, and then start by throwing the pouch forward and down down followed by swinging my throwing arm back and up, this gives me more speed and power. i also find that by throwing the pouch / stone forward i can start the rotation in a more specific plane and get a more accurate left to right shot, ofc up and down depends on when i release the stone. as you know sling accuracy is down to the rotation plane of the sling and when you release the stone, effectively forming a cross hair if you can imagine it that way. if you take the variable of the rotational plane out of the equasion,.which is the easiest to controll, then all you have to do is work on release timing. part of the reason for consistant ammo i think is not only for areodynamics but because different weights of stones will swing at different velocities, and thus you will be constantly varrying your relese timing to be accurate. One thing i might suggest is a sling with a thinner coard, I have found that wind resistance on the coard makes a huge difference in the speed I can acheve and ive actually gone to using an extremely thin kevlar thread as a sling coard.

[@IHatchetJack]

@lindybeige I got hit in the chest standing behind someone I was attempting to teach. If only the camera had been rolling.

[@Bikewer]

If it hasn't been mentioned before, the dedicated site Slinging.org slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl has a lot of good information on design, construction, history, and so forth. I made my first sling about 1964 when I was in the army and I've been doing it off and on since then... I started out with and underarm technique and find I still get very impressive distance but not accuracy. For accuracy (such as I manage...) I use the "apache" technique where you hold the sling straight out in front of you and make a quick circular sidearm motion.

[@lindybeige]

@IHatchetJack Underarm?

[@syystomu]

Thanks a lot! I was doing research about slinging for a story I'm writing and this was a very nice and clear practical demonstration.

[@johnny2hats330]

Two handed styles I think are better, maybe takes a little more practice to coordinate though

[@WakarimasenKa]

would it be stupid, dangerous and/or inaccurate to use an underarm throw with a sling?

[@uyhgar369]

I saw a video (it was old from the 90s or 80s) about 3-5 years ago. It was a Greek slinger. He grew up in a Vinyard & killed small birds for pies as a child. I can't remember but he was some type of champion world or local. He did what you said not to. He swung it around slowly. For a long time. Then when he saw somthing he wanted to hit. He swung it in super fast circles for about 2sec. It was a complete blur & made a strong whistle. Then he threw it. & I mean he really threw it. Like an American baseball pitcher he put his entire body into it. He was blasting targets 5-10 cm. With lead shot & small rocks.

[@EricTalwin]

When it feels right let it go. -The Tao of Slingcraft

[@Goshin65]

Thanks. I would very much like to be able to use a sling, but haven't managed to get the hang of it so far. Perhaps I'm using the wrong technique with a sling of a certain length...

[@jeric_synergy8581]

Supposedly there exists a Roman "drill sergeant" manual that specifically cautioned against whirling the stone around more than once, since no significant speed was added, and presumably it was detrimental to firing/slinging rate.

[@briannadesrochers679]

One advantage of the second long sling technique is perhaps that if you practice and get good, it could perhaps be a very quick sequence to load, take aim, and then loose the stone, but I'm just speculating

[@PietSpaans]

Yes but a staff is too rigid and has no taper. The idea is that you can use the transfer of impulse through the rod. Starting with a larger mass in the bottom of the rod the speed picks up towards the tip of the rod (Conservation of impulse in a travelling wave). Each rod has an optimum mass for casting and a taper that is also meant optimize the transfer of impulse so the stone reaches the maximum speed (maximal kinetic energy = destructive power).

[@JudgeEomer]

If using the second long sling method is anything like as awkward as it looks, I can see why you prefer the other.

[@aland8269]

my dad used to have little wars with his friends with theses. Though i'm pretty sure they only used very small pebbles.

[@CastelDawn]

pretty dumb thing to do

[@Snagglefratz]

All in all not a bad video, but you never mentioned once the underarm technique, which is by far my most accurate. I can't recall a projectile ever going straight up or backwards while slinging underarmed. Other than that I agree with everything you said here and would personally rate this a rather good instructional video.

[@PietSpaans]

Good point, but just like releasing the line in a fishing rod, when the bait/lead goes in the right direction I guess. I don't see a big problem ahead there, using a tough thread and a set of guides. Just release that line at the right moment and the stone will fly.

[@Snagglefratz]

Underarm is as good as any other style and actually has a few advantages over some. One is no more apt to sling behind themselves using Underarm than any other style. If it's not your favorite, then fine; everyone is different, but you should keep your information accurate.

[@captainchaos3053]

I presume the overarm is going to feel most natural. Anything else just wouldn't be cricket!

[@davidelkins9861]

while i always appreciate the information and enjoy the lesson i am always amused by your presentation, i think it's the unbridled enthusiasm

[@BillRoyMcBill]

@lindybeige hold the sling loaded aln horizontal at eye level and flick it out to the side in an archery type stance, alsi i get more power from holding it above and slightly behind my head.

[@SomervilleBob]

If the lead bullets weigh 70 grams or so, the energy would be about 60 joules. Ouch.

[@BillRoyMcBill]

all the literature always says spin it, but i have used overhand exclucively for many years and don't even try to spin it now. double handed overhead flick with no spin is also good.

[@ivanbnv8354]

Thanks!

[@othelloperrello6604]

Double-hand techniques are better for small game hunting. Less range, but also less movement.

[@AThousandYoung]

You let the stone go at 90 degrees (straight up) plus or minus a little depending on range (up to 45 degrees upward for max range).

[@PresidentDRCI]

@lindybeige I'm going to petition for it in the Olympics! they kept discus and javelin throw from the original Olympics, and they have ping-pong for some reason.

[@Raurie4]

no idea how to use a sling, this helped a lot, thanks man

[@Saxappealed]

What kind of damage would a sling-shot be able to cause? Is it easy to block it and would it cause any fatal damage against armoured targets?

[@koppunch]

The slingers from Balear Islands contracted by the romans would write insults in their stones used for shooting

[@safrprojects]

I read this as "singing techniques."

[@yourneighborhoodxenos]

People that sling from the side are like Philip Rivers and an American football lmao

[@davidworsley7969]

It is an historical fact that in ancient times, slingers from the Indian sub continent preferred the bent arm technique,as their descendants still do to the present day.

[@ajb7876]

@jabames I do. I fucking love tea, drink it like its going out of style. The only thing I like more than tea is beer.

[@Midnighter169]

building off of your philosophy on the stone not coming out of the two strands, HOW THE HELL DO WOMEN GIVE BIRTH

[@LucanJacups]

@lindybeige True. The crossbows have some pretty clear benefits for partisan types (I.E almost completely silent.)

[@slythrombobules6585]

TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE, YOU'RE not following the technique

[@dragonherald]

Kinda like a baseball in terms of overhead/sidearm. Do what feels best.

[@Chlorate299]

Just finished making a crude short sling. Shall have to go to a pebbly beach sometime to try it out.

[@acejasareno8698]

Where did you buy that pouch you got for the rocks? I want one!

[@neilwilson5785]

Just watched Dan Mervine using a sling to good effect. He uses a side technique, which reminds me of baseball, whereas you prefer an overarm technique, as in cricket. I think both styles work. I would not like to be hit by a lead rugby ball fired from one of these little bastards. Oh no.

[@SquirrelDarling1]

Ok so sidearm can be very dangerous to your friends. But what if you don't like your friends?

[@adrianadrian2735]

A messenge for beginnig slingers, never raise your hands vertically up. You may dislocate your shoulder by doing so, Lindybeige in fact has shown quite a good technique where he takes a swing keeping his arm under an angle. Remember, the joint connecting your shoulder and you arm is one of the easiest ones to dislocate/injure, I know it myself, I've done it just by stretching my arm and it isn't anything pleasant. Stay safe folks.

[@parijohn7250]

I used to give it a little extra forward push with my sling arm just before release.That way it seemed to get a little more of everything(power,target accuracy) I never did hit anybody with it though , thank god. (yes I missed)