Throw bag-line accuracy issues

[Jehinten]

I should have mentioned that I’m practicing for competition. Helmet and PPE are a must. I’m reading through everyone’s comments. I’ll be playing more this week. Gloves on and off. Mostly late release straight up.

Coats in this weather effect me negatively too. I have to take mine off no matter how cold to do a decent throw. A hoodie doesn't bother me.

The type and aize of throwline makes a difference too. I struggle to throw one that's too thin accurately.

Is the late release due to trying to throw hard? I most often have late releases when I'm trying to throw higher than normal.

Comp question. Does it make sense to get used to throwing a heavier weight? It seems it'd be a shame to hit a great throw only to struggle to get the weight to come down with the friction during a timed event.

 

[climbingmonkey24]

I recall one job where I think I spent nearly an hour or so trying to get that darn thing in what should’ve been a fairly easy throw. But I was getting frustrated, swear words we’re probably uttered, etc. Being in that negative mindset can trickle over into your work, regardless of how much experience you have or how good you are at something.

What I’ve found helps is if you miss your target a few times, take a step back, breathe, and stay relaxed. The tree’s not going anywhere. If necessary, re-evaluate your target. In some cases if you just can’t seem to get the height you’re looking for, it might be more productive to set it lower and get in the tree and climb to set your TIP.

As already mentioned, utilizing a device such as a Big Shot launcher or some sort of air cannon can be helpful for accuracy when trying to set it at greater height.

 

[Serf Life]

Sometimes the late-release/straight-up miss I notice my elbow is too bent, if my arm is more extended the shot is lower trajectory. Also slowing the upswing just a bit.

@southsoundtree the "bottom of the top of the window" vs just over the top of the branch comment is so good, I'm going to visualize that way next time. Short shot last week I nailed the branch I was aiming over way too many times.

 

[ClimbingTN]

All good advice and comments. I tried 10 through 16 oz bags. I still seem to be releasing late. Left to right is pretty accurate. I’m currently right (dominate) handed. I grip the line with a slip knot between the thumb and index finger. I’ve tried it without a knot but, slips sometimes. I’m going to video myself and analyze my technique. I think my pendulum is wonky and I’m pushing for heights. If I’m slow, gentle and methodical, I can hit lower unions. This makes me think pushing for the higher stuff is throwing me off. I’m also going to try the 2 handed granny shot and the 1 handed granny or whatever it’s called. Should be about 57 degrees F tomorrow. Thanks folks, I appreciate the support. I’ll report back. Craig

 

[Tuebor]

Throwball is the putting of tree work.

 

[Jehinten]

I grip the line with a slip knot between the thumb and index finger. I’ve tried it without a knot but, slips sometimes.

I'm not sure if it helps, but I skip the knot. I throw right handed but I hold a lot of the tension with my left hand. My right hand can avoid gripping it so tightly and is almost a redirect and pendulum creator.

If your too close to the tree it can cause you to want to release late for a more vertical launch. It can take away some of the height if your throwing for max height, but try backing up a few steps so that your aim is a shallower angle.

 

[Reach]

If your too close to the tree it can cause you to want to release late for a more vertical launch. It can take away some of the height if your throwing for max height, but try backing up a few steps so that your aim is a shallower angle.

Good advice, if I try to throw nearly vertical, I heave the throwball over behind myself every single time. My aim isn’t great on a good day, but throwing near vertical does make me release late as well.

 

[Muggs]

Throwball is the putting of tree work.

Ropewalk for show, throwball for dough.

 

[Reach]

Throwing backwards overhead is actually a decent technique. A climber did that in the national competition I watched and he scored in the top 3!


Great advice imo. No knot for me. Throw with my left or right hand and trail the line through the opposite hand for braking the line.

You haven’t seen me do it. I’m bad enough forward, if I start heaving that thing over my head who knows where it will end up!

Some people have amazing talent at throwing things, especially backwards. I am just amazingly bad. Hence my love for the Big Shot on anything more than about 25’ high. I’m bad enough with that, some days I think I need a Bridger line gun, but don’t want to set the line through the neighbors window three streets over…

 

[Mike H]

I throw my first throwline with my right hand no knot. Usually trying to throw over the TIP in the branches above. I pull back the line to drop the ball/line next to the TIP and to the ground. Add a second ball and throwline raising it over the TIP and back to the ground. Detach both balls pull the first line out. Isolate the second line and raise my ring and ring friction saver. Rarely, my first shot can work without the second line but always aiming over the desired TIP

 

[Njdelaney]

Good old double-bagging. A must know skill for efficiency and getting the perfect spot.

 

[Tree Lady]

I'm more accurate if I shoot exactly perpendicular to the union.

 

[Bart_]

Sometimes I used to switch to the opposite side of the tree to hit the same union if the bag trajectory was obscured. If you hit the obscuration after getting over the union all's good except for maybe having to pull the rest of your throwline to get the right rope hoisting attachment ie if not the throwbag end.

 

[Bendroctanus]

My old boss used to say, “We live and die by the throwball…”

 

[Matias]

My old boss used to say, “We live and die by the throwball…”

That line is a keeper for sure! I will adopt that as a regular saying

 

[Bendroctanus]

Man, he was too right. Some days, get it on the first try, maybe within five. Other days, the pruning job is about to turn into a fiery removal after the 1000th try…

 

[treebing]

Dont accept missing. That will teach you its okay to miss. If your not hitting at work, practice at home. Missing is all in the head so practice on something wide open and low you that you can make at a high percentage so your body gets used to making it. If i start shooting at a target i wont leave until i hit it because i dont want my body to learn that it can get away with missing..

In some cases it makes sense to take a lower crotch than desired but I think in the long run it is easier on the body to get the shot you want. 15 minutes on the ground throwing may feel like forever but it is way easier than struggling with a shittybtie in point or an extra 15 minutes scrambling for the right tie in point. Just because you feel like your working because your in the tree doesnt mean that your actually doing anything that couldnt be done from the ground with the same amount of time.

Id rather spend an extra half an hour throwing than trying to hucklebuck a tree for 15 minutes. And plus, Throwlining is fun, even when its all tangles and frustration.

 

[RyanCafferky]

I tell my crew “throw for your ideal shot a few times and after that start shooting for something that gets you in the tree.” On most trees advancing doesn’t take that long. I hate being on a job and seeing 3 guys watching one guy throwing over and over trying to hit an impossible dream when he could’ve just gotten a shot midway up and been at the top in a few minutes.

One time in South Africa with the Explore Trees crew, Drew Bristow and I kept throwing to get a high tie in a tree and this other guy Chris Monks just threw his rope over the bottom limb and body thrust his way to the top advancing with lanyard and climbing line. He got to the top right around the same time as we did. The tree was around 35 meters if my memory serves me right. I’ll never forget that impromptu race and that memory has affected how I access trees.

I do agree with Kevin about practicing. When I first learned about throw ball I was terrible! I wanted to get good so I would go home and practice in the oak tree in my front yard. I’ve also lived with arborist roommates who would go to the park with me and practice. It isn’t a skill that you will get truly good at ONLY doing it at work. How many shots do you take a day, a week, a month? Repetition without the pressure of coworkers or customers watching is time well spent.

 

[flushcut]

OP don’t get down on yourself. I couldn’t hit my shot last week. 25’ up but I had to thread the needle. Just below, just below, just below, to the right, to the right, to the right, to the right, high and wild, to the left, high and wild, to the left, to the left, then I got it. The whole time I’m thinking about this thread.

 

[Bart_]

The only thing worse than the sports announcer commentary in your head of all the misses is also snagging a bag/line - or two! You've got to summon your zen and calm the beast.