Buzz
A boomerang is a fascinating tool typically made as a flat airfoil, designed to spin around an axis that is perpendicular to the direction of its flight. It originated in Australia as a weapon for hunting by the Aboriginal people. In modern times, boomerangs are often used for sport and leisure, renowned for their unique ability to return to the thrower. Perfecting the throw of a returning boomerang requires skill and practice, much like landing a hole-in-one on the golf course.
Key Points to Remember
- Hold the boomerang with either arm, using either the pinch or cradle grip, ensuring that the painted side faces toward you.
- Throw the boomerang with an overhand motion at eye level, imparting spin and releasing it from an angle that is nearly perpendicular to the ground.
- If the boomerang isn't returning to you, try buying a new one, adjusting your throw, or altering the direction in which you throw it.
Steps to Throw a Boomerang
How to Grip the Boomerang
Begin with the right grip. You can hold the boomerang with either arm — your leading (lift) arm or trailing (dingle) arm. The key is ensuring that the painted, curved side is facing toward you, while the flat side faces outward, away from you.
Try using the pinch grip. In the pinch grip, you hold the boomerang between your thumb and index finger. To throw it, flick your wrist back and then snap it forward, generating enough force to release the boomerang with a spin.
Experiment with the cradle grip. The cradle grip is similar to the pinch grip, but here you wrap your index finger (or even all four fingers) around the boomerang’s edge. Grip it as close to the bottom of the arm as possible, then flick the boomerang with your index finger like pulling a trigger. This motion also helps to generate spin.
Choosing the Right Conditions for Throwing
Choose a spacious, open area. Select a place with at least 50 meters (164.0 ft) of open space in all directions. Ideal locations include football fields, soccer fields, or large park areas. Ensure that there are few trees or bushes that could snag your boomerang, and avoid large bodies of water where it might fall in.
- Stay away from crowded areas, locations with many windows, or spots filled with parked cars. It's hard to predict exactly where your boomerang will land, and a mis-throw could cause significant harm or damage to property.
- Always throw from the center of the space. This helps ensure a more consistent throw and gives you some room for error if the boomerang doesn’t fly as expected.
Be mindful of weather conditions. Wind plays a major role in whether or not your boomerang will return correctly. The best days to practice are calm ones with winds between 0 to 10 mph (16 km/h). Some boomerangs may not return on perfectly calm days, but most will. Avoid throwing in strong winds as it can throw off the boomerang's flight path.
- Light rain won’t affect your boomerang’s flight. If you’re throwing on a rainy day, however, be sure to seal your boomerang, especially if it’s made from wood, to prevent moisture absorption.
- Though snow won’t impact the flight, it can make it difficult to find a fallen boomerang if it’s covered by snow on the ground.
Throw your boomerang with the wind. The key is to throw the boomerang to the side of the wind. If the wind is coming toward you, throw it to your right, and it should return to the left (or the reverse if you are left-handed). The optimal angle for throwing is between 45 and 90 degrees to the right or left of the oncoming wind.
- To determine wind direction, toss a handful of grass or leaves into the air. If they blow across your face to the right, turn left to throw, and vice versa.
- Position yourself so the wind blows directly into your face, then rotate 45 degrees left or right, depending on which hand you throw with.
- Some boomerangs perform best when thrown at a wider angle (up to 90 degrees), so experiment to find the angle that works best for you.
Perfecting Your Throwing Technique
Throw the boomerang vertically with the right angle. Boomerangs should be thrown with a vertical, overhand motion, much like throwing a baseball, so that they spin end over end. Hold the boomerang almost perpendicular to the ground, tilting it about 5 to 20 degrees to the right (if you’re right-handed) or to the left (if you’re left-handed).
- The tilt of the boomerang is called the layover. If you use a wider layover, make sure to throw gently; for a more vertical angle, you’ll need a harder throw.
- Throwing horizontally will prevent your boomerang from returning, causing it to climb high and then drop straight to the ground, which could result in damage.
Throw the boomerang at the right height. Most boomerangs are best thrown at eye level, around 10 degrees above the ground. A helpful tip is to pick a distant point, like the top of a tree on the horizon, and aim directly at it.
Get the footwork right. If you're right-handed, start by pivoting your right foot outward, shift your weight to your right side, then step forward with your left foot as you throw — this technique is called 'casting the foot out.' Left-handed throwers will do the opposite. This movement adds power to your throw, helping the boomerang travel farther.
Give the boomerang some spin. Spinning the boomerang as you throw it is a key factor in making it return to you. To create spin, cock your wrist back and then snap it forward as you release the boomerang. It’s not just about letting go — the force of the spin should rip the boomerang from your hand.
Prioritize technique over strength. Unless your goal is to throw for distance, power isn’t the most important aspect of a successful boomerang throw. Once you master the spin, you can focus more on adding strength to your throws.
Catch the boomerang. To catch a returning boomerang, extend both arms, wait until the boomerang drops below shoulder level, then bring your hands together to catch it between your palms (known as the sandwich catch). If you lose sight of the boomerang or it’s coming in too fast, turn around, crouch down, and cover your head with your hands.
- Try out trick catches like the under-the-leg catch, the hand-to-foot catch, or the behind-the-back catch. Wearing padded fingerless gloves can protect your hands while performing these trick catches.
Selecting the Right Boomerang
Invest in a quality boomerang. The type of boomerang you choose will greatly influence whether or not it will return to you. Boomerangs are made from wood or plastic, and it takes precise craftsmanship to infuse these basic materials with the aerodynamic properties that give boomerangs their unique flight characteristics.
- There are many boomerangs available, but not all of them are designed to return. Be sure to do your research before making a purchase.
Beginners should opt for a v-shaped or tri-bladed boomerang. Look for one that is crafted from lightweight materials. These types of boomerangs don’t require a powerful throw, allowing beginners to focus more on perfecting their technique. They typically travel between 10 and 25 meters (32.8 to 82.0 ft) before returning to the thrower.
Choose a heavier boomerang if you're more advanced. Once you’ve mastered the basics and your boomerang is reliably returning, you can start experimenting with intermediate and advanced models. These boomerangs are generally heavier, come in various shapes and sizes, and can travel distances of up to 50 meters (164.0 ft) before returning to you.
Select a boomerang suited for your dominant hand. Be sure to pick a left-handed or right-handed boomerang, depending on which hand you throw with. Left-handed throwers will have difficulty using a right-handed boomerang and vice versa, which can significantly affect your performance.
Troubleshooting
Reevaluate your throw if the boomerang isn't returning. If your boomerang fails to return, there are two likely causes: either your boomerang is of poor quality, or your throw isn’t right. If you suspect the latter, try correcting these common mistakes:
- Reduce the layover of your throw. A too-horizontal throw will almost certainly fail. Aim to throw the boomerang almost vertically for the best results.
- Avoid throwing the boomerang across your body. Instead, throw it straight ahead. If your throwing hand crosses your opposite shoulder, you’re not throwing correctly.
- Focus on your spin. A good flick of the wrist generates most of the spin. Experiment with different grips and hand positions to find what works best for you.
Adjust your stance if the boomerang lands in the wrong place. If your boomerang returns but lands too far ahead or behind you, it likely means you’re facing the wrong direction in relation to the wind.
- If the boomerang lands ahead of you, try turning slightly to the left, so you’re throwing more into the wind.
- If it lands behind you, turn a few degrees to the right to throw further away from the wind.
- These directions will be reversed for left-handed throwers.
Keep your eyes on the boomerang if it keeps disappearing from sight. The flight path of a boomerang is unpredictable, so if you look away for even a moment, it may be hard to spot it again. A well-thrown boomerang might unexpectedly come back and hit you, but a bad throw could cause it to disappear completely.
- Wear sunglasses while practicing to protect your eyes, especially if the boomerang crosses into the sun's glare. They also provide protection in case the boomerang comes back and strikes you.
- If the boomerang falls after a poor throw, note a nearby landmark to help you find it. Act quickly to locate it, as it may be difficult to find later.
Fix your boomerang if it gets warped or scratched. Boomerangs are prone to warping or getting damaged from repeated crashes or imperfect catches. However, with a little effort, you can repair most issues and keep your boomerang in good working condition.
- To fix a warped boomerang: Heat it in the microwave or hold it over a stove for 8-10 seconds. Once warmed, bend the boomerang in the opposite direction of the warp and hold it in place until it cools.
- To repair nicks and scratches: Fill in any holes with wood putty. After it dries, sand the surface smooth and apply a coat of polyurethane to seal it and prevent moisture from damaging it.
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When the wind is strong or unpredictable, your boomerang’s flight path will likely be just as erratic.
Warnings
- Always stay alert and be mindful of your surroundings to prevent accidents or damage to property.
- Don’t attempt to catch a boomerang that’s returning at high speed.
- Throwing some boomerangs flat (parallel to the ground) could cause them to snap in half.
- Be cautious when throwing a boomerang as it might come back towards you very quickly.
- It's advisable to wear fingerless gloves and eye protection while throwing a boomerang.
