The Art of Accurate Rubber Band Shots
It is surprisingly simple to accurately shoot a rubber band. This trick will let you launch a rubber band with pinpoint accuracy, a pleasing "swoosh", and satisfying velocity.
I learned this trick while working with five other engineers in a small field office trailer. A long labor strike finally put time in our hands, and someone left a very large box of rubber bands lying around. War soon broke out and one of the guys knew this trick. After being annihilated by his shooting ability, we plotted an ambush and finally got him to give up his secret.
The Secret Technique: Differential Tension. When the rubber band is pulled back, one side of the loop is tighter than the other. Launching causes the loop to spin, and I surmise the spin has the effect of a gyroscopic guidance system. The rubber band takes a straight and true path with a very high velocity.
Here are the steps to shoot a rubber band:
1. Put both pointer fingers inside the loop, with the right pointer forward and the left pointer closest to your body. To do this, both fingers point to the floor and the fingernails are facing away from your body.
2. Stretch the rubber band, keeping the left hand still and pulling the right hand away from your body. Note both sides of the loop have equal tension.
3. Now place your right thumb in the center of the loop. Push the left side of the loop with your right thumbnail, and rotate your right hand clockwise. This causes the rubber band tension to transfer from your right pointer on to your right thumb. It also causes the left side of the loop to have greater tension than the right side.
4. Simultaneously, roll your left hand forward and the right hand back towards your body. This quick, slick movement sets the rubber band ready to aim. Your hands should now be set to shoot with both the left pointer and the right thumb now pointing upwards. The forward end of the rubber band is resting on your left pointer finger pad.
The back end of the rubber band will be tensioned with your right thumbnail, tilted slightly back from vertical so that it will not slip off your thumb. Your hands are about shoulder high.
5. Launch the rubber band with a quick flick forward with the left pointer and a simultaneous release of the rubber band from the right thumbnail. The quick flick will get the tip of your left pointer out of the way as the rubber band is launched. It also gives the rubber band its final aim, so the flick should follow thru by pointing at the target.
CAUTION: What would your mother say? "You're going to put an eye out!" Remember; do not sight down the rubber band. Backfires are common and with the velocity of this technique, you will get stung in the face or eye! Keep the rubber band no higher than shoulder high. Practice the flick aim, and you will be surprised how quickly you become accustomed to launching rubber bands this way and how accurate you get with your "aim.”
Look for high quality rubber bands at office supply stores. There are lots of different size rubber bands, but I particularly like one I call the "Magnum". It is a powerful 6" long x 1/8" high tension force loop. I've launched one at least 30 feet and ripped a sheet of paper hanging on the wall. And yes, it was the target I aimed at.
I learned this trick while working with five other engineers in a small field office trailer. A long labor strike finally put time in our hands, and someone left a very large box of rubber bands lying around. War soon broke out and one of the guys knew this trick. After being annihilated by his shooting ability, we plotted an ambush and finally got him to give up his secret.
The Secret Technique: Differential Tension. When the rubber band is pulled back, one side of the loop is tighter than the other. Launching causes the loop to spin, and I surmise the spin has the effect of a gyroscopic guidance system. The rubber band takes a straight and true path with a very high velocity.
Here are the steps to shoot a rubber band:






CAUTION: What would your mother say? "You're going to put an eye out!" Remember; do not sight down the rubber band. Backfires are common and with the velocity of this technique, you will get stung in the face or eye! Keep the rubber band no higher than shoulder high. Practice the flick aim, and you will be surprised how quickly you become accustomed to launching rubber bands this way and how accurate you get with your "aim.”
Look for high quality rubber bands at office supply stores. There are lots of different size rubber bands, but I particularly like one I call the "Magnum". It is a powerful 6" long x 1/8" high tension force loop. I've launched one at least 30 feet and ripped a sheet of paper hanging on the wall. And yes, it was the target I aimed at.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home