The boomerang is a star-shaped throwing weapon originally used by the aboriginal population of Australia; currently it has turned into a sport, a hobby and is famous for its characteristic of returning to the pitcher. To be able to throw one that even goes back, you need specific skills and techniques, as well as a lot of practice; it is a dexterity that can be compared to the ability to hit a hole in one shot on the golf course.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Grab the Boomerang
Step 1. Start with the correct grip
You can hold the weapon either by one of the two arms, the front one (concavity of the boomerang forward) or the rear one (concavity facing back). Either way, make sure that the painted, curved side is always close to you, while the flat face should be facing away from your body.
Step 2. Test the pinch grip
This means supporting the boomerang between thumb and forefinger by throwing it thanks to a forward snap of the wrist; in doing so, you create enough momentum to fly the weapon with good rotation.
Step 3. Give the cradle socket a try
It is very similar to the previous one, except for the fact that only the index or the other four fingers together wrap around the edge of the weapon; hold it as close to the base of your arm as possible and, when you throw it, rotate it by pulling with your index finger as you would on a trigger.
Method 2 of 5: Finding Good Launch Conditions
Step 1. Find a large, open area
Choose a place where you have free range for at least a 50m radius; football fields, rugby fields and parks are valid solutions. Make sure there are not many trees and shrubs that the boomerang can get caught in, or bodies of water that it can fall into.
- Don't practice in crowded places, places with lots of windows or parked cars; It is not easy to predict where the gun will land and a wrong launch can cause serious damage to property and people.
- You should always cast from the center of an open space; by doing so, you can achieve consistent results and at the same time enjoy freedom of action, should something go wrong.
Step 2. Find out about the weather forecast
Wind is one of the most important factors for the boomerang to come back; in theory, you should train on quiet days, during which the wind speed does not exceed 15 km / h. Some models don't return on absolutely draft-free days, but most will; avoid exercising on very windy days, because the launch trajectory is distorted and consequently the return path.
- A light rain should not cause any problems in the flight phase; however, in this case you should proceed to apply a water repellent treatment to the instrument, especially if it is made of wood, to prevent it from swelling due to humidity.
- Although the falling snow does not alter the launch of the boomerang, the one deposited on the ground could hide the fallen weapon making it impossible to find it.
Step 3. Try to throw it around the wind
It is advisable to throw it "around" the current of air, which means pulling it to the right of the headwind, so that it returns from the left side (or vice versa if you are left handed); check that it has an inclination between 45 ° and 90 ° to the right or left of the headwind.
- To understand in which direction the wind is blowing, take a few blades of grass and leaves and throw them in the air; if they fall in front of you to the right, you must throw to the left and vice versa.
- Stand so that the headwind is blowing right on your face, then rotate about 45 degrees to the right or left, depending on your dominant hand.
- Some models are more effective when launched at a greater angle (up to 90 °) than the wind, so you need to experiment to find the most suitable angle for your boomerang.
Method 3 of 5: Use the Correct Technique
Step 1. Throw the weapon vertically with the correct layover
The boomerang should be thrown over the shoulder, just like a baseball, so that the two arms rotate on each other; keep it almost perpendicular to the ground, then tilt it 5-20 ° to the right (if you are right-handed) or to the left (if you are left-handed).
- This slight lateral tilt is the "layover" or "wrist" angle. If the angle is minimal, you have to exert a lot of force; if it is very wide, you can cast more delicately.
- By throwing the weapon almost horizontally, you are unable to turn it back; this technique gives a wide vertical flight and consequently the boomerang can fall perpendicular to the ground, with the risk of breaking.
Step 2. Launch at the correct elevation above the horizon
Most models need to be launched at eye level at an angle of approximately 10 ° to the horizon. A useful trick is to pick a reference point slightly higher than the ground (such as the top of a tree in the distance) and aim for it.
Step 3. Learn the movement of the legs
A right-handed pitcher must use the right foot as an outer pivot by lifting the left so that the full weight of the body is supported by the other foot. Then, he has to take a step forward while throwing, a movement practically identical to that of baseball players; left-handed people must perform the same sequence but on the opposite side. This technique allows you to take advantage of the weight of the body to impart power to the weapon and increase the range.
Step 4. Imprint the rotation
This is the most important factor that determines the boomerang's ability to return to its point of origin; you can achieve this by bending your wrist back and then snapping it forward during the shot. You shouldn't just let go, you should feel the weapon being "ripped" from your fingers by the force of the rotation.
Step 5. Focus on technique and not strength
Unless your goal is to reach a great distance, strength is not the most important characteristic of the throw; when you can get a good spin, you can move on to improve the power.
Step 6. Catch it on the fly
The best way to grab a boomerang that comes back is to extend both arms and wait for the weapon to be below shoulder height; at this point, you can lock it between your palms with a "sandwich" grip. If you have lost sight of the boomerang or it flies too fast, turn around, crouch on the ground and cover your head with your hands.
There are many acrobatic holds that you can try, for example under one leg, with one hand and one foot or behind the back; it is recommended that you wear padded, fingerless gloves to protect your hands while trying these "tricks"
Method 4 of 5: Choose the Right Boomerang
Step 1. Purchase a high quality model
The type of boomerang you buy plays a huge role in its ability to go back. The weapon is built with normal pieces of wood or plastic, therefore the skills of a good craftsman are necessary to give any material the aerodynamic characteristics that make a boomerang unique.
There are plenty of models on the market, but not all of them are true boomerangs that come back, so you need to do some research before spending any money
Step 2. Beginners should choose a classic "V" weapon or a three-bladed one
Choose one made with lightweight materials that don't require a lot of strength and allow you to focus on technique; these models typically fly 10-25m before turning back.
Step 3. If you are an expert, switch to a heavier boomerang
Once you master the technique and always manage to get it back, you can move on to intermediate models and finally to advanced ones; these have a heavier weight, come in different shapes and sizes and can fly up to 50m before returning to their place of origin.
Step 4. Choose one made for your dominant hand
Know that you need a left-handed or right-handed boomerang, depending on which hand you use for the throw; if you are left handed, you may have severe difficulty using the weapon designed to be thrown with the right hand.
Method 5 of 5: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Re-evaluate the technique if the boomerang doesn't come back
If you can't get a return trajectory, there are two possible causes: the weapon is of poor quality or the technique is incorrect. If you're worried you're not throwing the boomerang well, focus on correcting the following common mistakes:
- Reduce the layover. If you hold the boomerang too horizontal, it is practically sure that it will not come back; for best results you should throw it practically vertically.
- Do not imprint a trajectory transverse to the body, but throw straight in front of you; if you make a movement that ends towards the opposite shoulder, you are wrong technique.
- Improve rotation. Focus on the wrist play which is the basis for good weapon rotation; you can also try different hand holds and positions to find the most comfortable and effective one.
Step 2. Change direction if it returns to the wrong place
If the boomerang comes back but lands too far in front of or behind you to catch it, you may have been facing the wrong direction in relation to the wind.
- If it falls in front of you, try turning a few degrees to the left to be more "into the wind".
- If it lands behind you, turn a few degrees to the right to launch with more wind.
- If you are left handed, follow the opposite directions.
Step 3. Pay close attention to the boomerang if you are about to lose sight of it
Its trajectory is almost completely unpredictable; if you don't look at it even for a second, you may not be able to find it. If you've thrown it correctly, it may even come back quickly and suddenly hit you in the face; if you pulled it badly, you could definitely lose it.
- Wear sunglasses while exercising, in case the gun is flying against the light; the glasses protect you even if it comes back and hits you in the face.
- If it falls due to a bad throw, make a mental note of a reference point to look for the boomerang; go find it now because you may not be able to find it later.
Step 4. Repair a chipped or warped weapon
These tools are easily damaged by constant falls or clumsy grips; however, with a little care and attention you can fix most of these problems and restore the weapon to its original condition.
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To repair a warped boomerang:
put it in the microwave or hold it over the hot plate of an electric oven for 10 seconds. Bend it in the opposite direction of the deformation until the wood cools.
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To repair scratches and nicks:
fill each hole with some wood putty; when the material is dry, sand the surface to smooth it and apply a coat of polyurethane sealant to prevent moisture infiltration.
Advice
If there is a lot of wind or if the air currents are inconsistent, the jumps may also be variable
Warnings
- A boomerang hovering through the air may be headed right at you.
- Always be aware of your surroundings to avoid causing physical injury or property damage.
- Never try to catch a boomerang that is coming at great speed.
- Throwing some models parallel to the ground could break them in half.
- Wear fingerless gloves and safety glasses when throwing a boomerang.
