Some devices in impound at the 2009 State Tournament. Note the variety of design, and the tools, charts, and projectiles that are impounded with them.
More devices impounded at the 2009 State Tournament
Checking in a device
Recording data for graphs after a test launch
This device needed some kind of weight on it to keep it from jumping like this when the release mechanism was pulled. This kind of device movement will cause a great deal of error in launch attempts.
This team has compensated after an overshoot on the first attempt by using the same launch settings and simply sliding their device back in the launch area for the second shot. As you can see, this worked for them.
Target distance is measured from the front of the launch box to the center of the target. Projectile impact is measured 'as the crow flies' from the center of the target.
This device is being weighted down by books to keep it from shifting during launch.
This device is adjusted by changing the length of the retaining chain, which stops the arm and releases the projectile at as many different angles as there are chain links. There are many ways to achieve this, we happen to have a picture of this one. See the Coaches Institute 2009 presentation for more ideas.
