Slingshot Shooting Tips - How to Shoot a Slingshot

A typical slingshot is made up of a 'Y' shaped bark cut from a tree, rubber tubes and a rectangular piece of leather. A rubber tube is attached to each upright side of the 'Y' shaped bark. Children, as well as adults, still make them at home and enjoy shooting with rocks, paper balls at a target. Custom-made slingshots, also called catapults, are made of wood, plastic, metal wire, aluminum, brass, buffalo horns or deer antlers and are available with various accessory instruments.

Shooting a Slingshot

• Grip the handle in the middle using your less prominent hand. If your slingshot is equipped with a wrist-hold, then hold the handle by inserting your hand up and through the wrist-hold. which will come to rest on the top of your forearm.
• Ammunition is available in different forms. You can use rocks and paper, steel or lead balls for the custom-made slingshots that you can buy in the market.
• Place the ammunition in the center of leather pouch. Fold the pouch over it and then clutch the fold firmly, without letting go of the ammunition, using the thumb, middle and index finger of your prominent hand. Keep a firm, but steady grip on the projectile.
• To increase the percentage of your projectile hitting the target, hold the slingshot vertically. Some players shoot the ammunition by holding the slingshot horizontally. But holding it vertically will make shooting with it easier and more accurate. While shooting the ammunition, maintain your wrist and forearm in alignment.
• To increase the accuracy of your shot, place the toes of your foot on the side of your non-prominent hand, pointing at and in line with the target. You can do this by turning your body slightly towards the target and placing the foot mentioned above in front of your body.
• Maintain the arm gripping the slingshot straight, extended and pointing at the target. Keep it parallel to the ground. Pull the leather pouch straight back close to your cheek, by exerting steady force with your other hand.
• See to it that the rubber tubes on the both sides of leather pouch are parallel to the forearm of your hand holding the slingshot, and perpendicular to its handle. Look at the target through the 'Y'. Try to maintain its position between the fork. Take your time and release the pouch gently.
• Try to see the path, the projectile has taken. This will help you in making adjustments for the next shot, if you miss the target.

Following are a few tips that you might find helpful.

• Before shooting a projectile at the target, if you need to adjust your aim, then do it by moving your slingshot arm. Move it up or down to the right or left side, and then move your body sideways to accommodate the adjustment and aim properly.
• Do not let your wrist and the elbow of the hand holding it slacken.
• Use goggles to protect your eyes because, at times, the ammunition after hitting the target ricochets.
• You should put on gloves to protect your slingshot hand, in case the leather pouch on being discharged hits it.
• The size of the projectile must not be larger than that of the leather pouch. Such ammunition is difficult to control while discharging it and you might end up with an injured hand.

When rubber is exposed to sunlight, it loses its elasticity. For this reason, it must always be stored in cool places. It is useful to professionals like arborists, who are specialists in treating trees and tree workers in shooting lines high up in the trees. In the United Kingdom, a slingshot is called a catapult or 'catty' and is used for hunting rabbits, hares, pheasants, geese, ducks, pigeons, doves and rooks. Professional hunters use lead balls as projectiles. If you follow these guidelines while enjoying this activity, it will help you to master the skills of slingshot shooting. Have a great time!