In a posting on
in May 2006 Vintageflicker said:-
"It has been confirmed. I have developed a serious dose of the 'flicks'.
I know the theory of the flicks. I am simply trying to give the launch a big more ooomph by flicking my wrist in the last stage of rotation. It creates plenty of power and the plane does get up to a reasonable height, but not on a straight course.
Does anyone know of any exercises I could use to cure the problem?Michael Stern replied with the following suggestions and the composite picture:-
The only exercise I can think of is to practice launching correctly! I personally don't rate any of the 'non-actually-launching-a-glider' launch aids, i.e. the ball on a string etc. I don't feel they adequately imitate a real launch.
Sounds to me like you are focussing the power in your arm and wrist instead of using your body as a spring and executing the launch in a fluid motion. If you are interested, I will try to help.
I have attached a pic (that I have posted before) of me launching what is now your glider. One of the most important things I believe, is to try to trail your launch arm as far behind you as possible, so dragging the glider as far behind as possible, as can be seen in the first frame. The glider is pretty much pointing in the direction of launch, my body about 90deg around from the glider and my head a further 90deg around. This is important for the 'spring' action.
The next important frame is number 6 (counting L to R). This is when my left foot has been planted and the body spring should be fully wound up. From F1 to F6, don't think about power, think more about speed and fluidity. I 'normally' skip around here.
From F6 onwards is where I start to put power into the launch, but in a smooth action, trying to reach maximum acceleration and speed at the point of release. This is the systematic unwinding of the body torsion spring, starting with the hips, then torso, shoulders then arm.
You may notice in F1 to F6 that my wrist is bent back. This, of course, is in order to get the glider as far behind me as possible. But, from that point on, as I am putting the power in, my wrist is straightening so that by the time of release, there is pretty much a straight line from my shoulder to the launch peg. There is no flicking of the wrist. You should not have to think about this, it should just happen. Just do not flick. Ever.
I would recommend not trying too hard in the power phase to begin with. You should be able to get at least a 60 to 70% launch with out trying to hard, that is what the torsion spring action is for!
Think about fluid motion. I hope this helps, feel free to ask Q's etc!
Michael
