Guide on how to grip, throw & catch a boomerang
1. GRIPS:
The curved upper side (usually painted or decorated) must always face to you as it is held in your hand. The HOOK style should be held as in Figure 1. Regular shape B's may be held as in Figure 2. Some beginners may prefer to hold as in Figure 3. Use whichever feels good to you.
Grip as shown in Figure 4 as you would a pencil; or pinch it between the thumb and index finger as shown in Figure 5 (this requires strong fingers); or you may simply wrap the thumb and several fingers around the B. OMEGAS may be held by either wing as shown in Figure 6a and 6b. V-styles seem easiest to use when held as in Figure 7. On all 'rangs (boomerangs are also known as : B's, booms, 'rangs, sticks), use the grip that works best for you.
2. TO THROW:
Placing B properly in your hand, face forward so that any breeze will be against your left cheek, if you are a right hander. Left-handers must face so that the breeze hits their right cheek (see Figure 8).
Select a tree or tall object that is 40-50 yards away, aim at a spot that is 15' - 20' up this object.
TILT boomerang as shown in Figure 9a for right handers (9b for left handers). Too little TILT can cause your B to dive into the ground soon after B leaves your hand. NEVER THROW ANY BOOMERANG SIDEARM! This is a sure way to break your 'rang!
Bring arm and B straight back; keep your eye on the aiming spot.
Start hand and B forward in an overarm manner, as you would a baseball pitch.
Pop your wrist in a whip-like manner as your hand and B line up on the aiming spot. This should be at about eye level as in Figure 8. Boomerang should go straight out, bank and turn to the left (for right-handers) and climb as it turns back towards you. It should pass overhead and hover down to you.
Don't open your fingers to release 'rang at the end of your toss. The 'rang will pull itself out of your grip. If you do open your fingers (or hand(, B will not spin well and will have a wobbly flight (and a poor return).
3. CATCHING:
As in Figure 19, place your hands about 18" apart, one above the other. As B hovers in between hands, slap them together and try to grab the B's elbow or bend
CAUTION! Never attempt to catch a B that is in a dive or still has much forward motion. OUCH!!
If u master the art.........
4. SPECIAL THROWING TIPS:
As you release B it must be nearly vertical like | or / ( \ for lefties) but never like -- , or side arm.
If B consistently lands behind you, you're releasing it too early or too high. A low or late release will cause B to land in front of you. You might also need to adjust this angle | or / as well (tilt angle).
It is best to fly B in a large grassy field. Trees, sidewalks, power lines, and people are just a few hazards that can ruin your B. Please watch out for spectators!
HOOKS, OMEGAS and V's should be released at eye level and not thrown up, as with many standard types. Pitch out, not up.
Throw ALL boomerangs easy. Develop your skill before increasing your throwing power.
5. GAMES AND TRICKS:
AUSTRALIAN CIRCLE CATCH: This is a very simple version of an international event. Mark out a circle of one yard in diameter and mark out a larger ten yard circle around the smaller one. Each thrower stands anywhere inside the large circle to throw his or her B. The idea is to catch your B in the small circle, or somewhere in the ten yard circle. Each person takes 3 or 5 throws in a row; scores 3 points for a catch in the one yard area, 2 points for a catch in the ten yard area, and 1 point for any outside the circle catches. High score wins!
AUSSIE PEG THROW: Mark out a one foot circle. In 3 throws each person tries to get the closest to the peg or spot. Nearest distance to circle wins.
QUEENSLAND FAST THROW: Using a stop watch or second hand on a watch, time how fast you can throw and catch 5 or 10 tosses. Shortest time wins.
CLAN BATTLE GAME: 2 to 4 throwers line up 5 yards apart, on a signal all throw their B's at the same time and continue to throw. The first one to get 5 or 10 catches wins. This game should be played only by experienced boomerang throwers as there is an element of danger.
MUDGEE TWIN TOSS: Take 2 of the same style B's, throw one and then the other; catch each B on return. Also, throw both B's at the same time and catch both on the return (one in each hand).
These are but a few of the many games to be played with boomerangs. Invent your own!
6. HOW TO ADJUST A BOOMERANG:
A boomerang can be easily adjusted to modify its flight. Wood, plastic, fiberglass and metal boomerangs are all adjusted by slight bending and/or twisting of the boomerang's wings/arms (with boomerangs, a wing is an arm and an arm is a wing. Both terms are correct. Wing is the preferred contemporary term).
While most 'rangs really don't need any adjustment when you first use them, you'll find that by learning the skill of boomerang adjustment, you'll become a much better and more consistent thrower.
The following adjustment tips are easy to do. yu'll be amazed with the results, once you begin practicing how to adjust your B's.
The control wing of a boomerang is the lifting wing. This is the wing being held in Figures 1, 2, and 6b. The other wing is called the "dingle wing" (see Figure 3), and is the trailing wing and is seldom adjusted (unless it's badly warped).
1. If the B dives down as it begins its return back to you, try bending the control wing . . . UP. This adjustment causes the boomerang to rise and hover much closer to you.
2. If the B turns back too soon, seems to rise too fast, or needs more outrange, or the wind conditions are too strong, bend the control wing . . . DOWN, or simply put, whatever you do (bending/twisting) to one wing of the boomerang, the result takes place at the other wing.
Once you've gotten the hang of adjusting the control wing of your boom, try adjusting the dingle wing. Except in rare situations, you'll have better results by adjusting the control wing rather than the dingle wing. Generally, only one wing needs adjusting. If both wings are adjusted UP, range is reduced, but B may tend to hover longer. In very high winds, try adjusting both arms DOWN (usually a very poor adjustment). NOTE: As you bend each wing, you will need to adjust the TILT ANGLE.
CAUTION: Use only slight bending and twisting, when first adjusting your 'rang. You might break your B! Never adjust any B in cold or freezing temperatures! Adjust boomerangs at your own risk.
7. ADDING WEIGHTED TAPE TO YOUR BOOMERANG:
Your favorite boomerang shop may stock a thin, self-adhesive, lead tape (one inch wide) that you can easily stick to any B you own. Tennis and golf shops often have this tape, too.
By adding lead tape, you can "fine tune" your B to improve its accuracy, to give it better "feel," or to make it handle windy throwing conditions. Just small lengths of this tape at selected positions on your B will work wonders. Here's how to apply this special "boomeranger throwing trick."
Apply on the underside of your B. The diagrams are of the B's underside. Applying here seems to do the best (and looks better). Tape only booms yo know well. Begin at the elbow, and apply in 1/2" lengths. Stick tape lightly. Test-toss a few times. Move tape 1/2" out from elbow, and usually along the control wing. Results are determined very quickly (two or three tosses usually). If you're pleased with the adjustment, press tape firmly to the B.
Some B's seem to need lead tape on both arms. You'll enjoy learning this additional skill and you'll certainly be a better thrower.
For very windy conditions, try longer sections of tape. It's okay to apply tape over tape.
To increase the range of some B's, apply tape at the tips rather than just along the wings. Again, try adding this extra weight to the control wing first.
CAUTION! Too much weight will increase the wing stresses and could cause your B to break, upon landing hard. Lead can be absorbed through the skin. Use with care. Once lead tape is affixed to your boomerang, paint a protective coat of paint over lead tape, or apply thin plastic tape over the lead tape. Keep out of reach of children and pets!
