The slingshot is an apparatus that falls into the "traditional/instinctive projectile weapons" category, along with the blowgun and bow and arrow. The use of such projectiles have been used since ancient times for hunting and sport.

 

Although commonly associated with young boys, many girls and women are discovering the slingshot as a fun target sport, just as archery is. Sifu DeJesus's fascination of slingshots began when she was a young girl, then re-awakened last year. She found that slingshooting and any target sport requires a good level of concentration, attention to detail, good form and body mechanics.....just like martial arts does.

 

Sifu DeJesus has already introduced the blowgun to the kids here at our studio, and her classes were received with great enthusiasm. As part of her "traditional weapons" series, she is happy to announce her "Smart Slingshots" workshop series!

 

This workshop is open to adults and kids OVER 8 years of age. The date is tentatively slated for Spring 2010 (Date to be announced.) Fee for this workshop is $75, which INCLUDES a handcrafted custom slingshot made specifically for this workshop by Nathan Masters of FlippinOut Slingshots.

 

These aren't your factory made "wrist rockets", but hand made, strong shooters that can be considered heirloom quality. When Mr. Masters learned of Sifu DeJesus's plans to teach body awareness and martial arts principles through slingshooting, he volunteered to come up with a design that would fit children's hands and have features that would greatly help beginners. Mr. Master's sent Sifu a couple of samples of this design, called "The Ninja" by its inventor, a slingshooter with the nickname "DayHiker". Sifu tested this collaboration design and deemed it as the "perfect frame" for kids or adults who are learning to use a slingshot. This frame can be fitted with flat bands or tubes, making the "Ninja" a very versative first-timers slingshot for kids and adults alike.

 

 

"The Ninja", in black or multiplex

 

 

 

*Safety, proper protective gear, and positional awareness

* Eye dominance: if you don't know which is your dominant eye, you'll learn how to find out which one it is. This is important for target sports.

* Proper stance, centering and posture,

* Controlling the breath during shooting

* Proper grip on slingshot: hammer grip, fork supported.

*Frame alignment: traditional (with hammer grip), angled, sideways (with fork supported grip)

* "Pocket, Pinch, and Push". How to smoothly load ammo, get a proper grip on the pouch (different pouch grips introduced) and slingshot, how to get a straight draw while keeping proper posture. Participants will feel the similarities of the draw and some of their basic martial arts striking techniques. This section will greatly enhance body awareness and the sense of "self correction".

* Aiming: alignment and "sighting in", what instinctive shooting is, "pushing" the ammo, etc.

*Techniques for a smooth and effortless release: Aiming is important, but not as important as the release! Its possible to aim "dead on" but miss the target due to poor release.

* How to make a backstop or ammo catch box

 

* Safety glasses / Eye protection (MANDATORY! Those without eye protection will not be allowed to participate)

For those that wear prescription glasses, you may opt to obtain "over the glasses" eye protection. For kids and petite women, you can find eye protection for smaller faces here: http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/childrens-safety-glasses.html?gclid=CPGgp_2xm6sCFRAaQgodmllSlA

* Water, gatorade, etc., snack (water and gatorade available at studio)

* Closed toe shoes (bare feet, sandals or flip flops will not be allowed)

* Optional: Light batting glove or golf glove

 

This is slated to be a very fun and exciting workshop! Before we can surely pin down the date (remember the date is tentative), we need to know how many kids and adults would be interested in attending. We are limited to 16 participants. Family members of current martial arts students are $10 off.  Please let Sifu know ASAP if you and/or your child are interested in learning this age-old sport! Sifu can be contacted at seattlewushu@gmail.com

 

If any students have any large cardboard boxes to make ammo catch-boxes from (like the one Sifu uses for her own shooting), please let Sifu know. We'll need 2 or 3 boxes for the workshop. Thank you!