Parts of a sling

The appearance of slings can vary greatly, depending on the method of construction, the materials, the cultural background and the preferences of its user. They do however all share a common structure. The parts appear in most to all slings are listed below.

• The finger loop is slid over a finger of the throwing hand and prevents the sling from following the projectile on its trajectory. Instead of a fixed loop, it can also be a noose that tightens around the finger. Some slings also have a handle or toggle which can be held with the whole hand, or a double finger loop that slides over two fingers.
• The retention cord connects the finger loop and the pouch, while the release cord is let go at the end of the throw.
• The pouch holds the projectile when rotating the sling and opens up when the release cord is let go, allowing the projectile to fly off.
• The end of the release cord is usually held between the thumb and the index finger of the throwing hand. At this point, often a release knot or a tab can be found, especially for slings with thinner cords. They allow to hold the release cord more securely and prevent it from slipping out of the hand prematurely.
• The release cord of many slings ends in a tassel, called the cracker. Similar to a whip, it creates a loud crack after each shot, if the sling unfolds correctly.

The length of a sling is usually measured folded, that is from the finger loop to the middle of the pouch. About 30" are most common. While shorter slings are more easy to handle and particulary suitable for heavier projectiles, longer slings are often used for greater distances.

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