Noodle Throwing Strategy

[wolfgang42]

Originally Posted by EricH

Imagine, if you will, that you've got an arrow ready to loose. Now, instead of an arrow, you have a pool noodle; instead of a bow in your hand, you're using your bow hand as a rest for the noodle; instead of a bowstring, your free hand is providing the push.

Here's a video of someone doing this: http://youtu.be/vyboSYt6J8I

[SkittlesCharge]

Originally Posted by EricH

Judging by your user title, you do archery. Imagine, if you will, that you've got an arrow ready to loose. Now, instead of an arrow, you have a pool noodle; instead of a bow in your hand, you're using your bow hand as a rest for the noodle; instead of a bowstring, your free hand is providing the push.

Originally Posted by wolfgang42

Here's a video of someone doing this: http://youtu.be/vyboSYt6J8I

Yep, this is basically what I was talking about. I kept my hand around the noodle a bit longer into the throw, to keep it aimed straight, but the technique is basically the same either way. I think with a bit of practice, a human player could pretty reliably throw the noodles pretty far onto the opposing side, hopefully behind some stacks.

As far as damaged noodles go, I think as long as the noodles weren't permanently bent the technique would still hold up pretty well. Since it achieves its distance by having the noodle travel with very little air resistance, minor damage (cuts, chunks out, etc.) to the sides of the noodle won't affect its flight much. Less-rigid noodles will probably be more of a problem than damaged ones, but mostly during the throw itself, not the flight, a problem which can be helped by remaining loosely holding the noodle as it is thrown. While the distances achieved will certainly be greater with fresh noodles than noodles in actual competition, I still think that human players, with practice, will be able to throw them far enough to make it worthwhile.