[M.J]

I recently made myself a couple of boardcut ergo slingshots. They came from a pattern in the Shared Designs forum but for the life of me I can't find it now to link to. They're straight-handled ergos in the Tex Shooter style. They're set up with Trumark tubes secured through holes in the forks. I shoot them "gangsta" style.
Anyway...
I watched Bill Hayes' video showing how to aim with a gangsta shoota and was very impressed with the ease and accuracy displayed. I had been shooting mine aiming through the forks with an ear anchor point, which didn't seem as elegant and sensible as Bill's way of looking over the fork with a jaw/neck anchor. I went out to the garage to try it for myself. And I tried and tried.
And tried.
A few hours and a couple hundred shots later (over the course of three days) I've decided it just doesn't work for me. I have confidence that my slings are ok. In fact my shooting buddy shot them Bill's way and it works great for him. From 21ft (as far away as I can get in the garage, it's 20ish degrees outside) I go about 1 for 5 on a Coke can using the top of the fork aiming. Using the through the fork aiming (target roughly centered between forks depending on distance and angle, holding arm canted upwards somewhat) I go at least 4 for 5 on the can and a solid 1 for 3 on a 2" target.
I know you're supposed to go with what "feels" right and what works for you, but the way Bill does it just seems to make more sense. And yes, I have to aim. No instinctive shooting for me.
Am I crazy? Am I worrying about it too much? Has anyone else questioned their technique and if so to what end?

 

[smitty]

Not to make light of what you are asking about, but slingshots are for having fun and most of the fun is learning while practicing. Just relax and shoot at the target any old way you can think of that might work for you. Everyone is made differently and have to learn to adjust to it. One critical point is to be sure your pouch is under your dominate eye if you shoot with both eyes open. As far as actually shooting gangsta style, put that pouch under your aiming eye and sight right down those two bands, that should look like only one, put the end of the band on your target at twenty yards or so and let the ammo slip out of your fingers...no flinch. Now all you do is adjust for distance and windage based on where the shot hits. If you do it the same way every time with the same weight of ammo you should get the hang of it . I did a short video on U-Tube talking about basic slingshot shooting, just take a look at smitty slingshots.

 

[Bill Hays]

Try switching your bands. Retie the top band to the bottom and the bottom to the top.
If that doesn't do the trick... put a super light bandset on and shoot heavy ammo.

For each and every shot, until it becomes automatic reflex, force yourself to go through each step in aiming. SLIDAAR

1. Take your Stance. Stand exactly sideways to your target, feet shoulder width, even weight on both your feet.
2. Look at your target in HD. If it's a coke can, don't look at the can... read the label. You're aiming at the target within the target.
3. Inhale, pushing your stomach out completely filling your lungs.
4. Exhale slowly begin Drawing the bands at the same time.
5. Raise and finish drawing slingshot to your Anchor slightly ahead of aligning your aiming hand... Aim making sure your bands are exactly in line and centered vertically on the target.
6. Do not rush your shot. Only release when everything is perfect. If it's not perfect, don't fire... do steps 1-5 again.
7. Release with a relaxed movement.

8. Periodically check to make sure you're not overcompensating with the hold on your slingshot... that is, sometimes people will tighten their holding hand to much at the point of release trying to compensate to much for the release of tension... moving the fork a little throwing off the aim. The "yips"

Number 8 is the most common reason shooters, whether gun, bow or slingshot are less accurate than they could be.
When learning to shoot a pistol. Start with a revolver and have a friend load it with live cylinders and empties too. When you squeeze off a shot and it happens to be on an empty and your hand drops or raises when the hammer drops instead of remaining exactly where it was... that's overcompensating, the "yips"... practice until you don't move at all.
When shooting a slingshot it can be harder to conquer, but since you're shooting with a friend... you might try releasing on his command, and have him randomize it with a count. One time he will say fire on a count of 3, another time he'll say fire on a count of 2 or 5... and so on. You want to make sure you get rid of the yips!

 

[Performance Catapults]

When I began shooting, I was (and still am) fond of Tex Shooter's style and frames. However, his style of shooting was never comfortable for me. I aquired all of the good habits, and shot with what was comfortable to me.

I shot at a folded over tarp till I wore hole through it, the size of a plate. Sure, there were holes everywhere in the tarp, but once I wore the hole through it, I knew that I had learned to decrease the size of my pattern. This was achieved through repetition. For some, this may take days, and for others it may take weeks.

If you are passionate about Slingshots, just have fun shooting them,and continue to

 

[M.J]

Wow! What great replies!
My concern with my shooting style wasn't so much that I take sling-shooting ultra seriously or that I was concerned with doing things the way others do them. I was convinced that how I was doing it wouldn't translate to greater distances or other situations such as hunting.
That being said I watched Smitty's video and it was a tremendous help! It was the "making two bands look like one" aspect that I was missing. Drawing back to a corner-of-mouth anchor is something I had not picked up on either. Using these techniques my accuracy improved by leaps and bounds right away. I've done maybe 150 shots with 3 different slingshots (one tube, one flatband and one looped Chineese tube) and I shoot way better with all of them as a result of the advice given by Smitty, Bill and Jim. I couldn't ask for a better resource!
Slingshots are fun and I am passionate about them without being too serious. But it's more fun when you're hitting stuff!

 

[Bill Hays]

Good deal Man!
Just remember to SLIDAAR until the steps become an automatic reflex.

Automatic reflexes are sometimes mistaken by the uninitiated as instinct. There is no instintual way to block and counter punch just as there's no instinctual method of shooting a slingshot. Only perfect practice done over and over again until the movements become akin to instinct, an automatic reflex.
It usually takes a while before it happens, but when it does... you'll really appreciate the results.

Stance
Look
Inhale
Draw and begin to exhale very slowly
Anchor to the same point every time
Aim, hold breath
Release

 

[smitty]

Glad we could all help you a bit aamj50, It is way more fun to hit those targets than to miss. I also think it is a good idea, once the basics are mastered,or, a "solid muscle memory" when you shoot, to begin experimenting with a slingshot design that helps to take advantage of your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses. Enjoy shooting and you will get better and better naturally...good luck!

 

[wd40]

aamj50,

Yes, this forum is great and full of helpful people. In just a few hours time, you got responses from some of the best out there.

Your heading was "can't seem to shoot "right," and my two cents is there is not a "right" way for all, but there is a "right" way for you, and for me, and for everyone else individually.

That side-shooting sure looks impressive when you see Bill Hays obliterating targets time after time after time, but it just wasn't for me. I've watched Bill's videos many times.

As Jim said, we can take the best of what's out there and kind of come up with our own styles that suit each of us best.

And as far as Smitty goes, he's a great teacher. I've watched all of his videos, and learned a lot from him. He covers it all and doesn't assume you know anything, and he always stresses the enjoyment of the sport.

You will find your own way that suits you best. Good luck.

WD40

 

[Jaybird]

When hand eye co-ordination shooting don't worry about the classic stance.Stand in a comfortable position eather facing the target ,to the side ,or anywhere in between what ever is comfortable for you.Make the slingshot an extention of your arm.Alot of times I crouch a little like if someone is attacking you and you want to be light on your feet.Most important make the slingshot part of your body.My 2 cents.

 

[SlingMan]

Good deal Man!
Just remember to SLIDAAR until the steps become an automatic reflex.

Automatic reflexes are sometimes mistaken by the uninitiated as instinct. There is no instintual way to block and counter punch just as there's no instinctual method of shooting a slingshot. Only perfect practice done over and over again until the movements become akin to instinct, an automatic reflex.
It usually takes a while before it happens, but when it does... you'll really appreciate the results.

Stance
Look
Inhale
Draw and begin to exhale very slowly
Anchor to the same point every time
Aim, hold breath
Release

What Bill describes is the way I shoot! Works for some, not others. This is why we are not
called robots. LOL!!!

Experimenting is key. There's no rush! Take your time and have fun experimenting
with what works for you.

My 2 cents...

 

[Flatband]

My own set of key words I use on every shot are "VAR" which means-VERTICALIZE- ACQUIRE- RELEASE. There were more words in there but I cut them down a bit. I shoot "Gangsta " style so VERTICALIZE ( Is that even a word?) is very important, It means having the top and bottom bands dead vertical before releasing. I think Bills key words are actually better. Try a few things , take your time, and in the end ,whatever method makes you feel most comfortable, is the one you should stick with and develop. Flatband

 

[Beanflip]

Here's a "bump" for an old thread that is relevant information for all shooters. I wish I had been practicing this all along.

Good deal Man!Just remember to SLIDAAR until the steps become an automatic reflex. Automatic reflexes are sometimes mistaken by the uninitiated as instinct. There is no instintual way to block and counter punch just as there's no instinctual method of shooting a slingshot. Only perfect practice done over and over again until the movements become akin to instinct, an automatic reflex.It usually takes a while before it happens, but when it does... you'll really appreciate the results.StanceLookInhaleDraw and begin to exhale very slowlyAnchor to the same point every timeAim, hold breathRelease

 

[treefork]

Wow. 3 1/2 years ago. A lot has happened since then.

 

[Sharpshooter II]

Some usefull info

 

[M.J]

Ha! What a blast from the past!
I still remember what it was like to suck real bad at shooting (1/5 on a can at 20'?!?) and it's still what motivates me to practice. Very good advice in this thread, I always give Bill and Smitty a lot of credit for helping me learn to shoot.
It's pretty funny to see the first post with my current signature under it :lol:

 

[NaturalFork]

This was a cool "old school" read. MJ is like Yoda now.