 |
THROWING
A BROOM
There are many ways of launching a broom. Here is
a list of throws that
have been developed:
1. Spear
2. Broadsword (a.k.a. Tomahawk)
3. Sidearm
4. Caibre
5. Kegger
6. Hammer
6B. Hammer Trick
7. Windmill (Spinning Sidearm)
8. Serves
For the purposes of all the descriptions, the author is right-handed.
You
made need to adjust accordingly.
1.
Spear
IMAGINE: like throwing a Spear or Javelin.
This is the quintessential brooming throw. It is used for great
distances and supreme accuracy. There are two different grip
patterns and the broom's flight path is dependent on which method you
employ. A simple analogy to the "Spear" throw is just as
the name suggests. The thrower faces forward. Both hands are
used in launching the broom. The weaker hand provides aim and angle
while the stronger hand provides all the power.
The broom is thrown with the bristles facing backwards. The weaker
hand is going to be a device for the broom to lightly rest against.
Only the index finger and thumb are really used. Extend your weak
arm in front of you, open your hand flat with thumb pointing towards the
sky, cock your wrist so it is perpendicular with your palm facing
your face. The shaft end of the broom is going to rest gently on the
joint between the thumb on the flat index finger. Your stronger arm
is going to grip the broom near where the stick meets the broom bristles.
Your strong arm should be cocked at the elbow with your forearm and hand
straight. When lifted this should be in the vicinity of your ear.
You want to elevate the broom so that your weaker hand is above your
strong one.
You have a choice of two grips with spear. The traditional grip is
to use your thumb, index and middle finger to grip the broom. The
thumb holds the side near your head, and the index and middle finger hold
the other side. I think of it like throwing a paper airplane.
The O'Connor grip has those three fingers all on top of the broom, with
the reminder underneath. Your strong arm provides all the power in the
launching. Your grip holds on tight to the broom, while the other
hand is merely providing aim. In fact, it's possible to do a
accurate spear with substituting another broom for the weak hand.
Most novices make the mistake of gripping the aim instead of leaving it
loose. To launch the broom, pull slightly back with the strong arm,
and give a good straight follow through to send the broom into the air.
You are trying to throw the broom forward, not upwards. If done
correctly, the broom should actually be passing over the aiming hand
instead of through it. By the time you release from the strong arm,
you should already have your aiming hand out of position. Watching the
flight-path of the broom tells a lot about the actual posture of the
thrower. The broom should travel in an arc. Going up and then
coming down. It's important to note that in a Spear, the shaft end
ALWAYS stays in front of the broom end. If the broom is flipping
end-over-end, you are not doing the spear correctly. With
traditional grip, the broom should begin with the shaft being above the
broom-end, and finish with the shaft going downwards and the broom end
being above. With the O'Connor grip, the shaft end always stays
above the broom-end, and the broom comes to a rest more than a sticking
landing. For adding flare you can doing a trick where you actually spin
the broom using your fingers as you are launching it. A spinning
broom makes wonderful sight, and it's argued does fly better. Your
angle of throwing should probably be between 10 and 45 degrees. 45
degrees while seeming optimal often isn't because of cross-winds,
obstacles, and hills. 30 degrees is usually plenty good. It often
helps to crouch down and spring up and take a step forward when you go
throw. It helps distance and even form. Make sure you keep
your eyes on your target, and you throw straight. If you get
off-balance, it'll start flipping instead of sailing.
When to use a Spear:
A spear is used for distance and aim competitions. Along with the
sidearm, it has one of the longest flights. Unlike the sidearm it is
also very controlled. It is good for short, medium, and long-range
shots. The spear is best for getting through narrow obstacles.
It is a dangerous thing to pass unless thrown in a flatter position.
2.
Broadsword
IMAGINE: Taking a broom out of your book bag (worn on back) and
throwing it over your head.
For broadsword the broom is held vertical and behind the back. The
broom-end is near one's feet, with the shaft near one's head. Raise
both hands towards the sky and then cock your elbows so your hands reach
behind your head. Both hands grasp the top of the broom. The
stronger arm makes a fist around the shaft, and the weaker arm cups around
the fist. The throwing action is when the arms extend outwards
towards the sky and the broom is released before you reach the pinnacle of
this extension. Simultaneously the wrists bend towards the direction
of throwing. The broom flies end over end in a high arc. It
can also have fewer rotations and start with an even higher throw.
If you wait too long the broom will be thrown downwards instead of up.
Whether you chose to have the broom-tip be vertical or horizontal is your
choice. Vertical is optimal for speed. We call that a
"slice". A horizontal edge (wider) is called a
"sweep". Often it helps to use a little bit of a crouch,
stand-and-release sort of delivery.
When to use a Broadsword:
The Broadsword has limited control and not terrific distance. It is
good for a very tall immediate barrier. You can also control the
speed of this throw -- it works both slow and fast.
3.
Sidearm
IMAGINE: Letting go while doing a baseball swing. The sidearm throw
has it's roots in a baseball swing. The most important element is
that the thrower should turn sideways but face the direction they want to
throw. You want the broom facing outwards, so that you are holding
the handle of broom, with the broom end facing towards your target.
You'll probably want the broom to be flat against the direction you're
swinging so it swings the fastest. We'd call this a
"slice" since it's like slicing the air. You want to throw
it straight towards the direction you are looking. This means you
have to time your release for before you are followed through totally.
Try to wait until your stronger arm has fully extended, but weaker arm is
still somewhat cocked. The sidearm looks like a spinning broom going
around parallel to the ground.
When to use a Sidearm:
The Sidearm actually rivals the Spear for distance. However, control
and safety are very serious issues. The optimal use of the Sidearm
is up a gradual hill. The sidearm can actually be thrown at a low
height angling up, and it will continue to spin and climb the hill.
4.
Caibre
IMAGINE: Juggling with a broom?
Hold the broom vertical with the broom-end closest to the sky. Use
your strong hand to hold underneath the broom at the base, and your wear
arm to steady the broom further up. Optionally, both hands or a
single hand can be used just underneath and a balancing act can be used
for the launch. To throw the broom you need only to drop your strong
arm down a little bit, and then left up propelling the broom upwards.
You can control the height, and hang time of the broom. It can also
be angled forwards for a further launch or even a pass. It should not
spin. Instead it should travel either straight up and down, or
possibly in an arc if launched for distance.
When to use a Caibre:
The caibre throw is used to climb very tall obstacles or as a slow passing
maneuver. It is not for great distance, but it a great way to buy
time while the broom is in air. I've seen it used as a powerful tool
in Doubles/trick competition.
5.
Kegger
IMAGINE: Throwing a bouquet of flowers. Face your back to your
target. Hold the broom sideways in both hands with one near the
base, and the further along the shaft. Your elbows should both be
cocked with your hands facing forward. Use an overhand grip on both
hands so you see your knuckles. To throw you will lift your arms
towards the sky and release slightly before they reach the pinnacle of
stretching out. If you want you can put spin on the broom with your
hands as you release.
When to use the Kegger:
The Kegger is used to pass in Doubles competition, or get around an
opposing player.
6.
Hammer
Imagine: A Stepping, Spinning Sidearm, sort of similar to
the Hammer-throw.
This throw is very similar to a sidearm. You will take two steps as you do
full-body rotation and spinning the sidearm out. First you step with your
right foot (turning 120 degrees) and then your left (turning 120 degrees)
and lastly as you begin to jump to the third step where you'll face
forward again, you release the broom. It's often released actually on the
second step as the body rotates around again.
SAFETY: Beware! Many brooms are only loosely glued or screwed to connect
the brooming-end to the shaft. This part often comes loose during sidearms
and can hit other players in any direction. Stand clear when a Sidearm or
Hammer is being throw.
6B.
Hammer Trick
Run up, plant the broom with the broom-end facing the sky,
use this for leverage to get a small hop around the end, and then jump
forward to throw into a quick sidearm.
7. Windmill
This is a one-handed throw. Start with the broom balanced
up in the strong arm with the broom-end in the sky, and the stick in the
palm of your hand. You want to raise the broom up sort of like beginning a
Caibre, then let it fall forward in a giant swing. As the broom reaches
the bottom, you grip the handle with your hand and rotate your wrist in
the direction of motion as much as you can. Simultaneously, you are
swinging your arm backwards. You'll eventually reach the stopping point
and you need to release. If done correctly you'll throw a high, slowly
end-over-end spinning broom. It flies pretty well. Great trick.
8.
Serves
There are two varieties -- One-handed tosses and two-handed
serves. These throws are used to pass the broom to another player.
The one-handed toss: Hold the broom near the broom-end, but still on stick
-- similar to a spear. However, this will be held underhand so the stick
is pointing up at a 45 degree angle and the broom is facing the ground.
You want to rock back and forth with the broom always facing this angle
despite your arm moving. To throw you lift the broom and spin it with your
fingers to get a gentle motion where the broom goes far and spins for easy
catching.
The "Serve" (also known as Volleyball Pass) is similar. Here you
hold the broom-end with your strong arm, and the end of the stick with
your weak hand. You give a sort of underhand spear, focusing on spinning
the broom for maximum catchability.
|
