How To Use A Slingshot: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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How to Use a Slingshot Download Article Reviewed by Ky Furneaux

Last Updated: September 24, 2025 Approved

Download Article

• Loading The Slingshot
|
• Aiming Your Shot
|
• Firing Your Slingshot
|
• Troubleshooting Your Slingshot
|
• Video
|
• Expert Interview
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less X

This article was reviewed by Ky Furneaux. Ky Furneaux is a survival expert, outdoor guide, and professional stuntwoman based in Australia. She’s been featured in over 100 films and TV productions, and has hosted, produced, and participated in some of the most extreme TV survival shows including MTV’s Made and Discovery’s Naked and Afraid. She has authored 5 survival books, including "The Superwoman’s Survival Guide" and "Survive: The All-In-One Guide to Staying Alive in Extreme Conditions", with the goal of sharing her knowledge of survival techniques with others. As an accomplished stuntwoman, she won a Taurus Award in 2012 for Best Female Stunt Performer and has doubled stars like Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Jaime Alexander, and Sharon Stone. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 207,423 times.

Slingshots can be a lot of fun, and can even be a great way to practice your bowhunting skills. If you have a slingshot, it is important to learn how to use it safely and with proper form in order to avoid causing damage or injuries. You need to consider your slingshot as a weapon and always use caution when you handle it. Once you get the proper routine and form down, you will quickly become an expert marksman with enough practice.

How to Shoot a Slingshot

• Set a marble in the center of the slingshot’s strap or pouch.
• Hold the slingshot’s handle with your dominant hand.
• Turn sideways, pull back the strap, aim, and then release the strap.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 4:

Loading The Slingshot

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1. 1 Select your ammo. Round, dense objects will work best. Marbles or ball bearings are ideal. Avoid using stones. The object should be round so it shoots straight.[1]
   • Marbles are among the cheapest ammo choice, and the bright colors will make it easier to track your shot.
   • Another alternative to marbles is the use of clay balls, which are biodegradable.[2]
2. 2 Load your ammo. Hold the base with your dominate hand. With the opposite hand, place the ammo in the center of the pouch. Do not let the ammo shift away from the center of the band. Advertisement
3. 3 Hold the ammo in place with your fingers. Use your thumb and index finger to keep the ammo in place. Your thumb should be parallel with the strap. You can curl your index finger slightly and press the other side of the pocket between your first and second knuckles.
   • Avoid squeezing the pocket closed around the ammo. There should be enough space for the shot to release cleanly.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 4:

Aiming Your Shot

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1. 1 Grip the slingshot by the base. Usually, you will want to grip the slingshot handle with your dominant arm and use your other arm to pull back the ammo. When you shoot, your arm may allow the slingshot to jerk forward slightly. This can throw off your accuracy. Your stronger arm will be more adept at keeping the slingshot steady when you release the shot.
2. 2 Hold the slingshot vertically or horizontally. Raise your arm to the side and hold up the slingshot. Some shooters prefer to hold the slingshot so that the forks are pointed upward, and some like to angle the forks slightly to the side. Either position works, and both can be useful depending on the shot you are taking.
   • Not all slingshots are the same. Some have longer forks, or and some forks will be wider or narrower than others. You may have to adjust your grip based on the form of your slingshot as well.
3. 3 Turn your body sideways. The shoulder of the arm that will hold the grip of the slingshot should face your target. Raise the slingshot so it is perpendicular to your body, and slightly angled away from your body. This positioning will provide ample room for you to use your other arm and draw the slingshot band all the way back.
4. 4 Form a solid base with your legs. Keep your feet facing forward and even with the width of your shoulders. Keeping your feet too close together will make it harder to keep perfect balance and aim your shot accurately.
5. 5 Line up your shot. Take your time. Aim slightly above your target. You can angle your head slightly toward the slingshot to check your aim, but be sure to keep your head clear of the ammo.
   • Try to use both eyes. Many shooters tend to rely on their dominant eye when aiming and close the other. While visual restrictions make this necessary, you will find you perform better when you practice using both eyes to find your target.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 4:

Firing Your Slingshot

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1. 1 Pull the ammo back with your free hand. Pull until the band is completely stretched out. Make sure you see all of the triangle formed by the forks of the slingshot.
2. 2 Exhale. Breathing is a big part of making accurate shots. Draw a breath into your lungs, release the breath completely, then take the shot. This will eliminate any chance that your slight body movements caused by breathing could mess up your shot. Take your shot during the body's NRP, or natural respiratory pause.[3]
3. 3 Release the band. Make one last check to make sure there is nothing that you might accidentally hit with your shot. Then let go of the ammo and watch it fly.
   • Try to flick your wrist forward slightly after letting go of the ammo for a better shot.
   • Make sure your thumb is not in the way of the projectile as it leaves the sling. This can be very painful!
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Part 4 Part 4 of 4:

Troubleshooting Your Slingshot

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1. 1 Adjust the bands to increase or decrease range. You can adjust the bands by creating more or less length in the bands. You will likely need to loosen the band from the attachment. Slide the band to create the right length, then tighten the bands again.
   • If the band is at full length and the ammo is still not going far enough, consider trying a band made from a different material. Flat bands usually generate more power, but they can wear out much faster than the common nylon tube material.
2. 2 Replace the bands if they break. If the band breaks, you can usually contact the manufacturer to get a replacement. Be sure to check how easy it is to replace and adjust the bands when you select your slingshot.
   • There are many different ways to attach the band to the base and some are easier and more secure than others. Ideally, you should select an attachment made of rubber or even string, as there is minimal risk of injury if the attachment breaks loose.
3. 3 Check the forks if you accidentally clip the base with your ammo. Make sure there are not any cracks in the material that could affect the performance of the slingshot. You don't want to have the piece suddenly snap off when you go to pull the band back. It can cause serious injury.
   • If you have damaged the base significantly you will likely need to replace it.
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Community Q&A

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• Question When you select your ammo, does it have to be round? If you choose a flat rock, would it work? Community Answer It should be round. If it is flat, it will not be as accurate. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 36
• Question What should I do if my slingshot is firing backwards? Community Answer When that happened to me, it was because my ammo was near the top of the pouch. I suggest keeping it near the middle. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 32
• Question Why do I see my round clay shot veer off to the right in a slow curve? Saltyboi 243 Community Answer Maybe because the ammo is too light and the wind is affecting it. Try using something heavier and round. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 20

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Tips

• At first, you might struggle to hit your target. The more you practice the better you will get. Thanks Helpful 19 Not Helpful 3
• If you have an issue with hitting one of your fork tips when shooting, try twisting your drawing hand, pouch and ammo 1/4 of the way toward your body and chest or shoulder. The thumb of your pouch griping hand will be almost parallel to ground when you are finished drawing the bands back. Releasing this way will impart a spin to your ammo and cause it to fly straighter between the forks. Thanks Helpful 10 Not Helpful 2

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Use a target to aim at and make sure there is no one nearby and that you are clear of any houses or cars. Thanks Helpful 23 Not Helpful 7
• A slingshot is not a toy. A slingshot can be used as a dangerous weapon, so don't ever point it at another person or animal. Thanks Helpful 39 Not Helpful 21
• You should always wear eye protection while using a slingshot. Thanks Helpful 22 Not Helpful 10

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about survival skills, check out our in-depth interview with Doug Flinders.

References

1. ↑ Doug Flinders. Wilderness and Survival Expert. Expert Interview
2. ↑ Doug Flinders. Wilderness and Survival Expert. Expert Interview
3. ↑ http://www.usacarry.com/4-options-breath-control-shooting/
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvpN7wnBuIA

About This Article

Reviewed by: Ky Furneaux Survival and Outdoors Expert This article was reviewed by Ky Furneaux. Ky Furneaux is a survival expert, outdoor guide, and professional stuntwoman based in Australia. She’s been featured in over 100 films and TV productions, and has hosted, produced, and participated in some of the most extreme TV survival shows including MTV’s Made and Discovery’s Naked and Afraid. She has authored 5 survival books, including "The Superwoman’s Survival Guide" and "Survive: The All-In-One Guide to Staying Alive in Extreme Conditions", with the goal of sharing her knowledge of survival techniques with others. As an accomplished stuntwoman, she won a Taurus Award in 2012 for Best Female Stunt Performer and has doubled stars like Jennifer Garner, Anne Hathaway, Jaime Alexander, and Sharon Stone. This article has been viewed 207,423 times. 1 votes - 0% Co-authors: 34 Updated: September 24, 2025 Views: 207,423 Categories: Toy Weaponry Article SummaryX

To use a slingshot, first choose round, dense objects for ammo, such as marbles or ball bearings. Hold the slingshot’s base with your dominant hand, place the ammo in the center of the pouch, and hold it there with your thumb and index finger. Next, aim your shot by keeping your feet facing forward, turning your body sideways, and extending your arm. Then, stretch the band all the way back, exhale completely, and release the shot. Make sure your thumb is not in the way of the projectile when you shoot. For more tips, like how to troubleshoot problems, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

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  Mark Meador

  Jan 3, 2017

  "Great video. My shots were inconsistent and this showed me what I was doing wrong. I can take out squirrels at 10..." more

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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Ky Furneaux Survival and Outdoors Expert 1 votes - 0% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 34 Updated: September 24, 2025 Views: 207,423

Mark Meador

Jan 3, 2017

"Great video. My shots were inconsistent and this showed me what I was doing wrong. I can take out squirrels at 10..." more

Ernest Cobb

Jan 18, 2019

"Just a beginner wanting to make all details correct, such as holding the slingshot with the dominant hand and..." more

Anonymous

Feb 23, 2024

"I didn't know how to hold the slingshot. This article helped a lot! Thanks!"

Robin Matoushek

Jun 6, 2016

"I liked the detailed video shorts playing as I read." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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