Developing Skill at Birkball

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Fundamental Technique:

In Birkball, two hands do three tasks: acquire steel balls, aim the chute, and release steel balls down the chute. There are three common techniques to address the ball release aspect of the “3 with 2” challenge. Let’s call them “Tips”, “Cup”, and “Forefinger”.

Tips - One hand holds steel balls between the tips of a thumb and a forefinger, to release steel balls one-by-one from the top of the chute [Advantage – easiest for beginners; Disadvantage – the time it takes to transfer another ball from the hand to the finger tips, which is done for each additional ball launched]

Cup - One hand cups steel balls in the crease between fingers and palm, to release one or more steel balls from the top of the chute. [Advantage – easiest to launch a handful of balls; faster than “thumb and forefinger” technique for releasing balls in sequence; Disadvantage – time to reload after running out of balls, compared to the next technique whereby balls may be gathered while other balls are being released]

Forefinger - The forefinger of one hand releases one or more steel balls down the chute. The other hand may steer the chute from the bottom

or it may gather balls since the other fingers on the forefinger hand may steer the chute from the top. [Advantage – acquire steel balls simultaneously with steering/releasing; hence less time to reload; Disadvantage – may not be able to steer as accurately when one hand is gathering steel, particularly if there is a need to release balls while rotating the chute rapidly]

All three of these techniques may be used while the other hand aims the chute by holding the chute with fingers extended at the bottom, which is the most accurate way to steer the chute. (See top three photos above.)

Regardless of ball release technique, if both hands are used to gather balls, balls may need to be transferred to the shooting hand, particularly for the typical player who uses a dominant hand. (See photo to right.)

If you want to see the various styles for releasing balls in motion, check the Birkball Video

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