Plumbata

[Brucicus]

Mark,  thanks for your comment.
Yes!  It does make one wonder how anyone could claim that the Romans threw it underhand.  
That's why my mind was blown when I learned that the underhand method was being espoused as the main delivery method.  In actuality, throwing underhand would only occur if there was no other choice.

I hope my treatise is very convincing.  Feedback indicates that it is.  I have no one pushing back on my findings, so far.  Those who advocated for the underhand method seem to have disappeared, which is a good sign for me but not so flattering for them.   Javelin-chuckers like yourself get it right away.  In fact, everyone with real throwing experience to whom I have shown my work agrees with it completely.

I hope you get the time to peruse it, Mark.  It is a pretty fast read.

https://www.academia.edu/44834773/_UPDAT..._Straight_

Brucicus

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As a former rugby player I also think the overhead (overarm) throwing method is probably superior to the underhand. Some rugby players, scrum halves in particular, like to throw a rugby ball overhead, using the long-axis of the ball held in the palm of the hand and with the finger tips just cupping the circumference (think of the ball being a very short javelin). The overhead throw imparts most of the momentum but, the crucial bit, is the rapid spin imparted by the finger tips to the ball as it leaves the palm. The result is a rugby ball travelling rapidly length-wise, spinning around the long axis and maintaining a steady trajectory. It goes further, straighter and more accurately than the normal two handed underarm throw. The imparted spin is critical to success. Takes a lot of practice.

On seeing plumbata I naturally want to hold the lead portion in the palm of my hand, with fingertips resting on it, to give it spin when thrown overhead.

Regards, Steve Kaye

Steve, thanks for your comment.

My eldest son loves to play rugby.  Throwing that oblate spheroid is not easy as you allude.  American footballs are a bit easier to throw.

I understand wanting to hold the plumbata the way you describe.  I discuss that method in my paper:  https://www.academia.edu/44834773/_UPDAT..._Straight_

Holding it by the tail, as my pictured thrower does, is what you need to do to generate power into your throw.  That method takes advantage of the 'atlatl effect' built into the dart.  And there is no need to try and add any spin to a plumbata;  the fletchings take care of that.

Thanks again!

Best regards,
Brucicus