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Quoting myself from another thread:


Are there any other experienced jumpers that want to comment on these thoughts, or on pitching techniques in general?

Cheers,

Jaap

If you've ever seen a quarterback pitch a football, this is how I envision throwing a pilot chute. Nothing eccentric, but following this motion is a good visual.

I've thrown lazily more than a few times while skydiving, but this has never bothered me. Obviously when it comes to BASE and dancing with altitude, I'm sure we're all a little more aware and careful regarding the 'throw.' I don't think there's ever been a stowed jump where I haven't reached back at least 2 or 3 times and done practice pulls. Engrain that muscle memory, but never become careless with it.

Again, like throwing a baseball or pitching a football, I always focus on releasing the handle and 'flinging' it out there at the point of full arm extension.

This all probably sounds very obvious, but I suppose counting on doing the simple tasks correctly is what keeps us alive.

Hi Brittany,

I disagree with you.

A super hard pitch like you describe (correct me if I am wrong, but that is the way I understand your reply) are sub optimal. There are more concerns then the pitch itself, like body position. I have seen allot of baseball pitches that results in bad body position. I like to throw the pilot chute to bridle stretch, more effort are a waste so I would say, throw your pilot chute to bridle stretch.

I teach my students to visualize and practice with that in mind, bridle stretch … make sure to get it out there but do not over do it, no need.

PerFlare

I'm guessing if you and brit filmed each other's throwouts there wouldn't be that much difference.

I don't think she's advocating a huge windup and follow-through... yeah that would result in some funky body positions.

But like her I throw it out with quite a bit of authority. But more in a quick snapping motion. I've gotten to where I can do it pretty quickly without a huge amount of arm motion or body english.

i was wondering when you were going to get to this. Thats the way I had invisioned a PC deployment, hard,stern, and with a statement!!!! I also do pay attention to the videos I watch here and the ones in my collection. i did notice that a video that I seen on here, (ikesenlow) not sure but something like that, this guy pitches every time hard , But as he does so his left hand ,arm, reach up to the back of his helmet, kinda like a pose,sure doesn't look like that shoulder could possibly drop.

And quit packing your self line twist and off heading openings. Couldn't believe I was reading that, I would suppose practice, yea but. NO.

be safe man, i like reading your posts.

Have you filmed your PC during the move to bridle stretch?

I know that _most_ of the people I've seen do a 'flinging' motion have a tendency to impart rotation to the PC. In many cases, I've actually seen the PC (still bundled) perform complete rotations (360 degrees) while moving to bridle extension.

I noticed that I was doing this a couple years ago, and spent a morning "re-training" myself on the ground, to pitch without rotating the PC. I found that in my case a wrist flick (much like the motion used when throwing a ball) was the culprit.

I don't think we disagree... I noted that the throw wasn't anything 'eccentric' as I have seen someone pitch super hard and disorient their body position. A 'soft' baseball throw or football pitch isn't advocating a massive windup. Thanks for asking and good input.

Zennie:

What he said.

Tom:

Hey Tom, good point! Yes I've seen my throwout (and bridle stretch) from the top view plenty of times and no rotations, but you bring up a very good case. Sometimes its difficult to describe a motion online without little picture references I think really, the idea I was trying to present was the reference to release the grip at arm extension. We all have experience throwing balls around, so hence the comparison. But yeah, weird wrist rotations or funky flings can promote oscillation.

I was told to pitch the pilot chute using a wrist flick,and to do this 45 degrees off the body.The 45 degrees is so that you do not pitch it to your side to hard,and possibly give yourself off-headings to the left.I personally have seen this with a couple of my friends,and since showing them the video of both ways they have cheanged ,and seen better results.Anyone else have any comments on this.Hope this helps.

Have you filmed the pitch to see if you are spinning the PC?

I filmed a couple of people including myself.The PC osilates,but we are not pitching it in a turn.It seems if you pitch to hard to the right the parachute starts to pull out to the right ,and creates an off-heading to the left.Let me know what you think on this. Anyone done the same experiment?

What kind of PC are you using? I've seen this sort of thing with ZP, less of it with apex vented, and virtually none with F-111.

Also, what kind of rig? I wonder if a velcro rig would dampen the effect, because the shrivel flap would take more force to pull.

All 3 rigs were pin rigs.All PC's the first time around were ZP,2nd time around F-111.

I've seen this but its always been due to a left to right wind dragging the pilot chute, not due to a hard pitch. Not saying it can't happen however.