TYPES OF BOOKSHOTS

Bookshots come in many different types; there are lots of different ways of tossing that book at that projectile. These different methods offer different amounts of accuracy, rotation, force, spread, etc. A few common types will be described beneath. A grading scheme may be devised in the future.

~Backhand~
This is the traditional style of bookshot. The arm moves across the body, and the wrist flicks outward. If the book is held in the right hand, the spin will be clockwise. The backhand is by far the most common type of bookshot. Pretty accurate, and with enough force, the book will stay closed for a while, allowing distance shots.

~Flick~
Getting its name from the Ultimate Frisbee toss, this type of bookshot is done by flicking the wrist inward. Although comparable to the backhand, flicked books tend to open more easily. They are, however, easier to deliberately curve and thus more impressive to the casual observer.

~Slam~
In this type of bookshot, the book is perpendicular to the ground. It is being held by either the front or the back cover, as opposed to the opening or spine. The motion of this book vaguely resembles that of a volleyball spike. The slam puts the emphasis on force, which generally results in much noise. The slam is very accurate, but has the tendency to curve downward if improperly released.

~Dietze~
So named in honour of the founder of the bookshot, this is the manner in which the first official bookshot was ever done. The book is held the way one would hold a ball. The book is even folded or rolled into a "scroll," if possible. The Dietze has quite a wide spread, as the book will open during flight, but because of the force, its topspin will negate mostly any deviation from the normal. The book will be badly damaged. The great thing about this type of bookshot is that it is limited only to the thrower's skill, as Dietze himself has demonstrated first-hand.

~Slice~
This type of bookshot is done the same way one would throw a knife at a board. The book is held just above the head, perpendicular to the ground, with the spine facing the target. The book will open, but if this can be stifled, then the shot will be extremely accurate.

~Float~
Discovered by accident by Jesse, the float is a bookshot where there is virtually no rotation. The book is held in the heel of the hand diagonally to the ground. The arm is extended and the book flies out. With enough practice, the book will neither turn, nor flip, nor open. It is quite accurate but has limited range.

~Rube Goldberg~
Rube Goldberg was a man who had designed intricate machines with pulleys, inclined planes, marbles and paths and things. These machines would perform very simple tasks. A Rube Goldberg bookshot is simply a Rube Goldberg machine that is triggered by doing a bookshot and that finishes by knocking down its target, generally a juice box or a water bottle. A hardcover book may be used in a bookshot if and only if its strength is required to trigger the first event. Rube Goldberg bookshots are easily some of the coolest.

~Specialty bookshots coming soon~