Joined
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70 Posts
I really appreciate Flatband for showing support to the Chinese slingshot community, and yes we were awestrucked by the performance.
I did particiapted in the SH Tournament, though I did only end up at rank 400 something I find the experience really inspiring. Not only I met numerous great shooters across the world, but also witnessing some of the finest domestic shooters in China in action was eye opening.
I could still remember the thick air of tension and silence during the duel between the top two shooters in the finals, and yes, everyone in the stadium was awestrucked by their performances. One thing I could really point out is the poise from the top shooters, especially the champion and the 1st runner up, their abilities to stay calm and be consistent with their shooting form is impressive-and I reckon such skill is crucial for competitive shooters.
When it comes to competitions, they are ALL ABOUT CONSISTENCY. Most competitive Chinese shooters, including myself, stick to lighter set-ups with light ammos (6.4-8mm), I reckon the idea behind is to maximize stability by having more control over your pull and release. I personally shoot 7mm with 0.4 18-10 150mm cut. People should adjust according to the actual performance. Generally, with 6.4-9mm steels balls, the popular tapers are 17-9, 18-10, 1911, 2012 for anything below 0.6. Though I have seen elite medium/long-pull shooters in competitions, but due to the lack of anchor point references it usually takes a longer time to develope consistent shooting with medium/long pulls. Instead, short-pulls is relatively more effective for compeitions. It is the most popular style for competitive shooting for a major reason - solid anchor points (usually on faces). Certainly it differs from personal preferences, short-pull with light set-up further maximizes the consistency per shot with miminal time put into practice. Nonetheless, practices are critical to anyone who wants to develope consistency.
Where medium/long pulls excel at are range, power, and for some, the more badass looking shooting stances, but these factors become less critical in the current format of indoor competitions where only 10 and 15 metres are put to the task. Under the current format, the separation between good and regular competitive shooters is the notorious PAPER TARGET. Paper shooting requires the highest focus and consistency then knock-down targets which provide and immediate results of your shots and trajectory can be traced with ease. In the SH Tournament, shooters could bring along their telescopic equipments for the paper shooting sections. It is rather dull for both the shooters and spectators who could not see how the shots land. Though I personally think paper shooting will remian a critical component of the modern slingshot competition, the entertainment factor has to be raised as competitive slingshot grows.
As the World Slingshot Association (WSA) is officialy founded, they have set out a schedule for international competitions hosted by various countries. We, as a slingshot community, will have more opportunities to interact and learn from each. Hope to see you guys in the soon future.
I did particiapted in the SH Tournament, though I did only end up at rank 400 something I find the experience really inspiring. Not only I met numerous great shooters across the world, but also witnessing some of the finest domestic shooters in China in action was eye opening.
I could still remember the thick air of tension and silence during the duel between the top two shooters in the finals, and yes, everyone in the stadium was awestrucked by their performances. One thing I could really point out is the poise from the top shooters, especially the champion and the 1st runner up, their abilities to stay calm and be consistent with their shooting form is impressive-and I reckon such skill is crucial for competitive shooters.
When it comes to competitions, they are ALL ABOUT CONSISTENCY. Most competitive Chinese shooters, including myself, stick to lighter set-ups with light ammos (6.4-8mm), I reckon the idea behind is to maximize stability by having more control over your pull and release. I personally shoot 7mm with 0.4 18-10 150mm cut. People should adjust according to the actual performance. Generally, with 6.4-9mm steels balls, the popular tapers are 17-9, 18-10, 1911, 2012 for anything below 0.6. Though I have seen elite medium/long-pull shooters in competitions, but due to the lack of anchor point references it usually takes a longer time to develope consistent shooting with medium/long pulls. Instead, short-pulls is relatively more effective for compeitions. It is the most popular style for competitive shooting for a major reason - solid anchor points (usually on faces). Certainly it differs from personal preferences, short-pull with light set-up further maximizes the consistency per shot with miminal time put into practice. Nonetheless, practices are critical to anyone who wants to develope consistency.
Where medium/long pulls excel at are range, power, and for some, the more badass looking shooting stances, but these factors become less critical in the current format of indoor competitions where only 10 and 15 metres are put to the task. Under the current format, the separation between good and regular competitive shooters is the notorious PAPER TARGET. Paper shooting requires the highest focus and consistency then knock-down targets which provide and immediate results of your shots and trajectory can be traced with ease. In the SH Tournament, shooters could bring along their telescopic equipments for the paper shooting sections. It is rather dull for both the shooters and spectators who could not see how the shots land. Though I personally think paper shooting will remian a critical component of the modern slingshot competition, the entertainment factor has to be raised as competitive slingshot grows.
As the World Slingshot Association (WSA) is officialy founded, they have set out a schedule for international competitions hosted by various countries. We, as a slingshot community, will have more opportunities to interact and learn from each. Hope to see you guys in the soon future.
