The art of the throw ball

[treebing]

http://www.treeclimbercoalition.org/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1305

 

[treehumper]

Now that is one cool cannon!

 

[RopeShield]

[ QUOTE ]
Exhale on the release.
If you throw cradle style. Get a micro-lanyard clip, the type you see on inexpensive jewelry. Girth hitch the clip to the line a couple of feet from the original ring.
Now thread a loop thru the micro lanyard.
What you have created is a long barrelled gun giving you a far greater gunning site. Makes it easier for siting and brings your hands closer together to ensure better balanced release from the pendulum.

Now go throw that hammer like the God of Thunder you are!

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[oceans]

I did not read this entire thread, but I will. I wanted to relate this to golf...and my brother, who taught me to swing a club. He told me that I have a distinct advantage, being 6'4" tall. The longer the arc of the club head, the farther the ball will fly, however, the more room for error in relation to where the club head hits the ball. Well, with throwline, that's much less of a concern. I took this analogy, and incorporated it with a technique that my friend Tim C. took the time to teach me.

Tim throws with his R hand only. He ties a stopper knot well away from the throwbag (like 4'-6' away...). The trick is keeping tension on the bag diurnal the wind ups. Your hand sort of hits three points of a triangle; when the bag is in front of you, your hand is about as far out in front as well (point 1). As the bag begins to swing back, you need to raise your hand to keep the bag off the ground (point 2). When the bag swings out behind you, you need to allow your hand to follow it (point 3).

I recommend to practice the above technique, without concern for releasing the bag...just learn to create a long, slow arc while keeping tension on the bag. When you're comfy with that, think about release, but do it in the wide open (no trees around). Don't put any body into it...let the length of the arc do all the work for you and you will be amazed at how little effort is required to attain incredible height.

The part that is more difficult to explain is the release time. One thing TM also taught me was that a 45 degree angle to your target is ideal. H related it to the military and mortars. If you have the room, do it at 45...if you don't, just get as close to it as you can.

There is never any perfect scenario, but just remember and practice this: the longer the arc of swing, the farther/higher you can throw AND, the more time you have to determine your release point.

I sure hope this helps, and that I haven't repeated too much of what has already been said in this thread. Everyone has offered great advice (at least on page 1)

 

[Bixler]

It absolutely helps Oceans. I like how you break it down into words. I played golf for most of my life, until I started climbing trees. The fundamentals have stuck with me and are relatively the same when you compare the two.

GOLF stands for Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden... it's a gentlemen's game, their is a sort of etiquette you follow as you work your way around the golf course with your group, similar to tree work.

Shaping your golf shots to your advantage follows the same principal of where to tie the branch and how to cut/lower. From tee to green you can find ways to relate the two, and it all starts with the art of the throw ball.

Putting yourself in the 'here and now', focusing, and believing in yourself is a good mindset to start with. All golfers have a pre-shot routine, something they do before hitting every ball. I always visualized the shot, same with working in trees. Visualize the ball dropping into the hole, or through that top crotch. You have to see it and believe it for it to happen.

Use a pendulum motion with your arm, elbow, and wrist, I always think of the clock pendulum to help with timing and control. Deep, steady breathing, and trust in your muscle memory. A slow back swing and a steady follow-through helps with control.

You can't practice enough, and most of us don't! It couldn't hurt to videotape a dozen or so throws, it may help you notice something new. Going to competitions and watching experienced throwers helped me because then I knew what was possible. Someone mentioned visualize the ball going through the crotch and into the next county, thats how the pro's seem to do it, incredible really.

 

[banjo]

Throw it like a baseball, but don't aim for the crotch, aim for the space above it.

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

[ QUOTE ]
You guys are ROCKIN!!! keep these goodies coming, my eyes are open wide now!

[/ QUOTE ]

Awesome tips here, does anyone have advice on using the throw bag when you are in the tree. (Assuming I don't have a cool foot mounted sling shot like Moss has)

 

[banjo]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You guys are ROCKIN!!! keep these goodies coming, my eyes are open wide now!

[/ QUOTE ]

Awesome tips here, does anyone have advice on using the throw bag when you are in the tree. (Assuming I don't have a cool foot mounted sling shot like Moss has)

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, throw it like a baseball!

 

[vinniep19]

adjust how your throw is ,by standing accordingly.oh and practice alot

 

[CutHighnLetFly]

keep a guns n roses tape around.

"said throwbag, take it slow, work yourself out fine
all i need is just a little patience
said 12 oz., come on down and we'll come together fine
you cause me to need a little patience"

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

[ QUOTE ]
..... And you won't end up with a tree decorated with stuck throwbags.
-AJ

[/ QUOTE ]

I am amazed at the efforts I will make to recover a stupid, not that expensive, throwbag.

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

I am trying to learn what I think is Gerald F Beranek's boomerang, don't have his DVD series to know for sure. Probably easy to do on the ground so the next step will be to do it in the tree. Suggestions would be appreciated.

boomerang practice

 

[RopeShield]

Avoid the dusty bags!

 

[woodchucker]

i use differnt ways too set my line it depends on what tree your gonna climb in some trees u can basket thro your weight big shot is nice for thos striaght up high shots an if im trimming hydro i prefer too set my line with the insulated poles it all comes down too what works for u for my basket throwing the weight is fine but i can cant seem too hit the mark if i try the ball weights those work best in the big shot but ive found over the years 12oz gets me the best height i need an comes down nice some times when the bark is rough is the crotches 16oz helps it come down better it takes good practise too set ur line where ever u wont it practise good formation just like shooting archery

 

[macswan]

I've been in a throwball slump for about 6 months now and have become so demoralized that i have begun to experiment with a big shot. Which I shunned previously due to pride. Oh how the proud have fallen.

 

[oceans]

Dude, get it back! Don't give up. I mean, what would Ash do? Well...on second thought, forget that. Just don't give up.

Start with easier targets just to get some confidence back, and laugh at yourself to keep the frustration down.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

 

[boreality]

The boomerang exercise is all a thrower would need to go pro. Could be done indoors even.

What do you call a throwbag athelete? Thrower, throwliner, swinger, shooter, slinger? I vote for schwinger.

 

[banjo]

There's no shame in the big shot, I use it all the time.

 

[Richard Mumford-yoyoman]

[ QUOTE ]
Could be done indoors even....

[/ QUOTE ]

Could be??? Been there, done that but then with practice, my ability started to exceed the diagonal dimension of the largest room in the house. Don't recommend it though as those bags do break things, darn.

 

[pdj317]

I have been using the Rope Amour for quite some time now and my throws have improved. I also use it to advance DRT when in the tree- works very well. Love the fact that it does not hang up on stuff.