How to build and use a sling

Words By Jordan Hanssen

I don’t remember the exact beach where I first decided to make a sling. I was in my twenties, somewhere along the Pacific Northwest coast. The kind of beach strewn with rocks, gravel, and driftwood, a place for action and exploration.

The glacier-ground rocks underfoot were round and dense. Smooth stones with heft, begging to be hurled. I picked them up, one by one, and chucked them into the sea.

I wanted them to fly higher, faster, farther. That desire stirred a memory. As a kid, I had a tool that made this possible. My father’s hands came back to me, tying string to a leather pouch, shaping a loop for my finger and a knot for my grip. A sling. Not a slingshot, but the ancient shepherd’s sling, the kind David used against Goliath.

At home, I improvised. No leather on hand and no patience to wait, I cut the hem off a pair of old jeans I had made into shorts. Reinforced seams stiffened further with duct tape became my pouch. Parachute cord served as string. I cut, tied, guessed at length.

Back at the beach, I flung stones until my arm was sore. Adjusting grip, experimenting with motion, until suddenly it clicked. A rhythm that felt addictive, natural. Rocks soared higher, faster, truer. Every riverbank or shoreline became a practice ground. Over time, practice became meditation.

The sling fits in a pocket, so it has traveled with me. I have slung stones in Dakar, Havasupai, the Azores, wherever I can find rock and space. It is solitary, but it draws people in. Strangers stop to watch. Sometimes they share a story: they had one as a kid and had not thought about it in years. More than once, someone has said, “Maybe I should make one again.”

A Brief History of the sling

The sling is one of humanity’s oldest projectile weapons, dating back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence places its use as early as the Neolithic period, with examples found in the Middle East, the Andes, and the Mediterranean. Shepherds used slings to protect their flocks, and ancient armies trained entire corps of slingers who could hurl stones with deadly accuracy over hundreds of yards. The Balearic Islanders of Spain became so renowned for their skill that they were employed as mercenaries by Carthage and Rome. Biblical references, like the story of David and Goliath, further root the sling in cultural memory. Lightweight, simple to make, and highly effective, it remained in use for warfare, hunting, and sport well into the medieval period. Even today, slings endure as tools of tradition, survival, and personal practice.

How to make a trash sling

Supplies

  • Old pair of jeans
  • Duct tape
  • Parachute cord
  • Knife or scissors
  • Awl (or something sharp to poke holes)
  • Lighter or match

Notes before you start:
This is not the classic or the prettiest sling, but it works. I can huck a rock over 100 yards with it. They last years. When I replace one, it is because I lost it, not because it failed. Most people already have two-thirds of the materials lying around. You can make a better one later, but if you want to sling within 30 minutes, this design will do it.

Step 1: Make the Pouch

  1. Cut the hem off an old pair of jeans. Keep it under 3 inches wide.
  2. Stick the fabric to duct tape, overlapping on one side.
  3. Trim it into a long, skinny diamond shape. Leave at least ½ inch of seam on each end.
  4. Fold duct tape around the edges to close. Rub flat if it creases.
  5. Use a knife tip or awl to punch holes near each end, just outside the reinforced seams.

Step 2: Attach the Cord

  1. Cut two cords, each about hip-to-foot length (shorter is easier to learn with).
  2. Tie each cord securely to the pouch with a bowline or another non-slip knot.
  3. On one cord, tie a small loop. This slips over your middle finger.
  4. On the other cord, tie a figure-eight knot where it naturally meets your grip between thumb and forefinger.

Choosing stones

Almost anything that fits in the pouch can fly, but the best are about the size and shape of a small chicken egg. Smooth and oval flies truest. Sharp, flat, or jagged stones slow down mid-air and wobble.

David, the shepherd boy, “chose five smooth stones from the stream.” Through trial and error, I discovered the same. Five is the perfect number to hold in one hand, ready for use.

How to throw

Find a wide-open place, an empty beach or field. No one should be in front of or beside you. When learning, even behind you should be clear. Yes, beginners sometimes fling backwards.

A sling is an extension of your arm. Do not spin it like a helicopter over your head. The pouch destabilizes. Instead, think of it like throwing, a smooth, fluid arc, your arm and sling moving as one. With practice, the rhythm will lock in.

Warning: Slings are fun, but they can also be dangerous and can cause serious bodily harm or even death. A rock can fly farther and harder than you expect, and even a glancing hit can do damage. Always sling in wide open spaces, away from people, animals, cars, or windows. When you are just starting out, your throws may go wild, including backwards, so give yourself plenty of room and treat the sling with respect.