Sling position - high or low?

Moderators: pilkguns, Marcus, m1963, David Levene, Spencer

Post Reply
Cumbrian
Posts: 265
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:45 am
Location: Hampshire

Sling position - high or low?

Post by Cumbrian »

This question arises out of what I saw on the video of the Baku finals (won by Junghaenel), link given in the adjacent topic on Martynov. I posed the question there but it received only one reply. In the hope that it is a worthwhile subject, may I ask again whether there is some advantage to be gained from having the sling low on the arm? Several of the finalists seemed to use that position. I always thought that it was recommended to have the sling high on the arm. Does a low position give more stability and support or is it useful only for those with long arms or is it just a matter of personal preference?
User avatar
j-team
Posts: 1372
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2005 2:48 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Sling position - high or low?

Post by j-team »

I'm a pistol shooter who has shot a little rifle, so rifle experts feel free to correct me...

I always thought that low position suited "tall skinny" build shooters and high position was better for "short fatties".

One thing I do know is that in the middle is no good as that's where the pulse is.
dezzick3
Posts: 42
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:02 am

Re: Sling position - high or low?

Post by dezzick3 »

Like you I noticed the sling position of many and thought I'd give it a go. What I will say is that it was more comfortable but I couldn't get it right, you will definitely need an experienced coach to help you get it right!!
Tim S
Posts: 2018
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2011 11:33 am
Location: Taunton, Somerset

Re: Sling position - high or low?

Post by Tim S »

Roger,

Sling placement on the arm is heavily concerned with avoiding picking up a pulse, and not pinching. It can either go high, above the triceps, or low below the triceps just above the elbow. A high sling offers the big advantage of leverage from the arm. A low sling misses this, but does place less pressure on the jacket sleeve. I suspect that the mostly European athletes who favour a low sling do so because their left upper arm is almost flat, and a high sling would not have enough purchase to stay put. Shooters with a higher left shoulder, say McPhail or Eric Uptagrafft seem to go for a high sling, though not always.
davidgoerndt
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2005 8:26 am
Location: Orlando, FL, USA

Re: Sling position - high or low?

Post by davidgoerndt »

If you look at the video of the last two shooters, you will see a dramatic difference in position, one low the other high. I always thought there was a minimum angle between the ground and arm and it looks like one shooter is very low while the other is much higher.
jhmartin
Posts: 2620
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2004 2:49 pm
Location: Valencia County, NM USA

Re: Sling position - high or low?

Post by jhmartin »

davidgoerndt wrote:I always thought there was a minimum angle between the ground and arm
ISSF Rule 7.6.1.2(j)
NRA Rule 5.6
Cumbrian
Posts: 265
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2010 7:45 am
Location: Hampshire

Re: Sling position - high or low?

Post by Cumbrian »

As usual, I am very grateful to all those kind people that have replied. I think I now have a better understanding of this aspect of prone shooting. Looks like I should stick with my high sling position. One less thing to worry about.
arielado
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2015 12:36 am

Re: Sling position - high or low?

Post by arielado »

I can't down my target with sling position. i think i need more practice to aim my target.
Post Reply