Throw bag-line accuracy issues

[evo]

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.

I agree, yet there is a fine line of energy expenditure. Personally I rather take a bit of extra time to get the shot that I don’t need to expend more energy that I don’t have to aloft.
There is a point though where fighting the throw ball sets the tone for the rest as well as trying to squeeze more time out of the clock for taking too long to get in the f-n tree.

 

[Bendroctanus]

I agree, yet there is a fine line of energy expenditure. Personally I rather take a bit of extra time to get the shot that I don’t need to expend more energy that I don’t have to aloft.
There is a point though where fighting the throw ball sets the tone for the rest as well as trying to squeeze more time out of the clock for taking too long to get in the f-n tree.

I agree, with both of you.

And even then, it can depend on the day. Some days you’re on, some days you’re off. Some days, you’re really off. Doesn’t necessarily matter on the conditions. Throw ballin’ is a trifecta of skill, wisdom, and mysticism…. Kinda kidding.

 

[flushcut]

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.

Bob Ucher “just a bit outside”

 

[Njdelaney]

The mocking "doink" sound of getting shot-blocked over and over by a Silver Maple lives rent-free in my head. It's always off by about 1.5" when it happens

 

[Jehinten]

As for hitting the perfect tie in, or settling for something more easily obtainable; you can do both.

If you hit a usable anchor, leave that throwline in and grab a second setup and try for the ideal spot a few more times without the pressure, knowing you have a backup spot.

Throwballs snagging. I girth hitch the end of my throwline with a couple of inches of tail. No knots or splices. If the weight snags I can often slip the hitch with a hard pull, getting the line out and often times the weight will fall without the line on it.

 

[Bendroctanus]

The mocking "doink" sound of getting shot-blocked over and over by a Silver Maple lives rent-free in my head. It's always off by about 1.5" when it happens

I regularly tell myself that ultimately, “I win.” Because even though I get made a fool trying to access the tree, the result is the tree in a billion little pieces.

 

[Bendroctanus]

As for hitting the perfect tie in, or settling for something more easily obtainable; you can do both.

If you hit a usable anchor, leave that throwline in and grab a second setup and try for the ideal spot a few more times without the pressure, knowing you have a backup spot.

Throwballs snagging. I girth hitch the end of my throwline with a couple of inches of tail. No knots or splices. If the weight snags I can often slip the hitch with a hard pull, getting the line out and often times the weight will fall without the line on it.

Now THAT is some veteran, sage advice.

 

[Quercky]

When I'm stuck and frustrated during throwball practice, I'll find something very specific to focus on--the timing of I wind up for the release; how laser-accurate I can make my aim on repeat; can I shoot from farther away or closer in for the same union and how does that affect my pendulum; etc. Sometimes if I break the practice down to one aspect of the technique I find my flow again and the shots start working better.

That being said, anyone have tips or thoughts on shooting higher? I seem to be stuck in the 50-60 foot range; the times I've gotten higher than that felt like magic and I'm still figuring out how to consistently recreate them.

I am 5'0" tall, so I'm wondering if its a pendulum-length issue? I also shoot right handed single strand, not granny shot or doubled back on itself.

 

[Matias]

When I'm stuck and frustrated during throwball practice, I'll find something very specific to focus on--the timing of I wind up for the release; how laser-accurate I can make my aim on repeat; can I shoot from farther away or closer in for the same union and how does that affect my pendulum; etc. Sometimes if I break the practice down to one aspect of the technique I find my flow again and the shots start working better.

That being said, anyone have tips or thoughts on shooting higher? I seem to be stuck in the 50-60 foot range; the times I've gotten higher than that felt like magic and I'm still figuring out how to consistently recreate them.

I am 5'0" tall, so I'm wondering if its a pendulum-length issue? I also shoot right handed single strand, not granny shot or doubled back on itself.

I still switch to granny for shots over 70', but I used to shoot granny all the time. I just remembered the trick I figure out and forget all the time: try finishing your shot with your fingers pointing at your target. I find this especially helpful with granny style shots.

 

[southsoundtree]

Idk the name of the technique where you don't keep the weight in an arc, rather use a hybrid of the arc with the addition of a horizontal component.


Stand on a stump to throw to see if a longer pendulum length helps... probably so.



Granny it.


Use the Granny 'doubled-through' the ring orientation when throwing, holding all three legs in your one hand for a single-hand throw.

 

[Matias]

Idk the name of the technique where you don't keep the weight in an arc, rather use a hybrid of the arc with the addition of a horizontal component.


Stand on a stump to throw to see if a longer pendulum length helps... probably so.



Granny it.


Use the Granny 'doubled-through' the ring orientation when throwing, holding all three legs in your one hand for a single-hand throw.

Dan Holliday has a video showing his technique which sounds like the first you describe. The last tip there for single handing sounds like a good solution to the insufficient friction for really high one handed throws. I'll have to try that out.

 

[Bendroctanus]

I’ve heard tales pf old fellers standing on buckets so they could get a longer granny shot to hit really high targets. Can’t speak for the validity of the story but certainly not outside the realm of possibility.

 

[evo]

Dan Holliday has a video showing his technique which sounds like the first you describe. The last tip there for single handing sounds like a goon solution to the insufficient friction for really high one handed throws. I'll have to try that out.

I’ve seen shorter climbers do this at comps and I’ve played around with it. Works freakin great. The back swing is an arch, and as that swing nearly touches the ground it levels by pulling the arm up keeping the bag just a few inches off the ground. The arm drops as the swing starts the front swing allowing for an arch.
It’s a great way to add length to the single arm toss. I haven’t played much with the single had throw with a bight pulled through. I bet the flat bottom swing is actually better but i donno

 

[Steve Connally]

If my shoes aren't tied tight I throw like crap. I feel like it's an unsteadiness on my base and it throws everything off. Balance, and muscle relaxation. I know this probably sounds strange but it's a thing for me. I feel like I'm slipping and unstable. SO if I throw like shit at the beginning of the day, I retie my shoes.

 

[Matias]

I’ve seen shorter climbers do this at comps and I’ve played around with it. Works freakin great. The back swing is an arch, and as that swing nearly touches the ground it levels by pulling the arm up keeping the bag just a few inches off the ground. The arm drops as the swing starts the front swing allowing for an arch.
It’s a great way to add length to the single arm toss. I haven’t played much with the single had throw with a bight pulled through. I bet the flat bottom swing is actually better but i donno

Last guy I worked for did the same, and he could blast it up pretty high and accurate. I gotta remember to practice that one at home without time pressures.

 

[southsoundtree]

I wouldn't stand on a bucket.

A customer forever wrecked her back by falling off a bucket instead of getting a ladder from 20' away.

 

[southsoundtree]

If you're 5' tall, you might go for jump shots instead of slam dunks. You can shoot a line launcher as well as anyone else... maybe don't fight the tide on hand throwing the high shots.

 

[flushcut]

I still switch to granny for shots over 70', but I used to shoot granny all the time. I just remembered the trick I figure out and forget all the time: try finishing your shot with your fingers pointing at your target. I find this especially helpful with granny style shots.

I can’t hit a damn thing throwing granny style. It’s rather comical to watch. At 70’ I’m usually shooting with a big shot.

 

[data farm 26]

If my shoes aren't tied tight I throw like crap. I feel like it's an unsteadiness on my base and it throws everything off. Balance, and muscle relaxation. I know this probably sounds strange but it's a thing for me. I feel like I'm slipping and unstable. SO if I throw like shit at the beginning of the day, I retie my shoes.

I was usually throwing in my flip flops or barefoot when the weather was nice.

 

[flushcut]

Safety toe flip flops?