[FTC]: Help with shooting mechanism?

[cougarbytes]

We're a brand new team, and have figured out using a programming language, but have been encountering problems with mechanically executing our ideas. So far, we have tried using two wheels rotating in opposite directions to propel the balls. However, even with gearing, we could not achieve the distance we were hoping and expecting. Our second idea was to pull back the balls like a slingshot, using surgical tubing. The problem we encountered here was that there was too much tension, and caused our metal to bend. When we lowered the tension, there was not enough power. We have another possible idea which uses a motor to pull back like a battering ram to release the ball. We are still thinking about our loading mechanism and have not tried any ideas for loading the balls.

Any ideas are appreciated!