1) Throw in a spacious field with a 50 to 100 yard radius (or twice as large as the size of your boomerangs average turning radius), that is unoccupied by other parties.
2) If you're playing with a group of people, make sure everyone is watching the boomerang when it's in the air. Don't throw when someone's back is to the direction of your throw.
3) Don't attempt to catch if returning boomerang is traveling too fast or is below your waist when it reaches you. In any case, proceed with extreme caution, standing to the side of the boomerang's path. Catching boomerangs may be hazardous, could cause injury, and is not recommended.
4) Throw in a light wind of 3 to 8 miles per hour.
5) Never throw a boomerang side-arm style. An overhand toss is the proper form.
RESPONSIBLE ADULT SUPERVISION IS RECOMMENDED FOR YOUTH THROWING AT ALL TIMES.
THROWING INSTRUCTIONS
1. There are a few different ways to hold a boomerang for launching. I'll suggest pinching it between your thumb and forefinger, holding it somewhat like a pencil but with a firm grip. I hold it from the leading wingtip, though it can be gripped from either tip as long as the flat side (bottom surface) is against your finger and the more rounded side (top surface) is against your thumb. Whichever tip gives you the best results is the right tip to hold it from.
2. Tilt the boomerang to the right, angling it slightly more vertically than horizontally. This gives it a sloped path to travel on when it's airborne (see FIGURE 1).
3. Drop a blade of grass in the air to determine the wind's direction. Position yourself to face 2 O'clock(give or take), from the oncoming wind and choose an object off in the distance in front of you (such as a tree, mountain, building, etc.), that is at your eye's level. This is where to aim when you throw (see FIGURE 2).
4. Toss the boomerang overhand style with a swift jolt, while simultaneously spinning it with a snap from the wrist (as you might do when throwing a baseball across a field), "slicing" the wind with the boomerang's wing. You should hear a distinct swishing sound as you synchronize your spin and throw. Follow through with your arm after releasing, swinging down and in front of you to continue the angle of your throw (Figure 1). Confused??? Watch this nice video on How To Throw A Boomerang.
5. It takes practice. As you develop a feel for your boomerang and the wind it rides on, these instructions will make more sense. A successful throw involves a combination of circular movements of the body, strategically incorporated into one motion. Throwing angle, spin-velocity and force of throw are adjusted to harmonize with the changing conditions of wind speed, air pressure and humidity levels. A slower wind takes a slower spin and a harder throw. A strong wind takes a stronger spin and a weaker toss. Throwing styles vary, too. Twisting your torso or a slight manipulation of the finger can make all the difference.
Pat Steigman has devised an efficient way to discern and describe the five basic force potential variables involved in executing a successful throw. Pat's WELSH rule can be applied to any boomerang.
