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How to shoot a rubber band

On November 11, 2010, in Life in General, by Bob Borson

If you are going to be an architect, there are several skills you absolutely must possess;

clarity of thought

superlative communication skills

3-dimensional visualization and problem solving

These abilities are important to the client and sure, your fellow architects will be impressed with your mastery of these things … to a point. If you really want to grab the attention of your co-workers, shoot them in the neck with a rubber band.

That’s right, I said a rubber band.

Yes, I know what you are thinking … very immature. However, if my personal experience is any indication, your ability to master this skill will mean the difference between being on the victorious team with the partners designing award winning projects or being stuck checking door hardware submittals on that healthcare project. Not to worry, I’m here to offer salvation and teach you the intricacies of shooting a rubber band properly.

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The humble rubber band … they are all the same right? WRONG! The best rubber band for shooting is size #32  - it has just the right amount of band thickness to band height. This technique works with any rubber band but like all things, the more adept you become, the more particular you become to the equipment you are using.

The trick here comes down to getting the rubber band to spin in a circle as it is moving towards your intended target. This rotation will give you a straighter trajectory and reduce drag – which result in a faster more accurate shot. In order to achieve this sort of rotation, you need to disproportionately stress the rubber band. That means when you pull the rubber band back into firing position, one side is tight and the other side is loose. I have taken some photographs to help show you what I am trying to explain:

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This is the "Firing Position"

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This side of the rubber band is tight

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This side of the rubber band is loose

See? That’s not so tough to pull off right? Despite the visually disturbing appearance my fingers, this technique is extremely easy to master. I thought it would be fun to see what other sorts of shooting rubber information there was on the web and it was generally pretty pathetic – no doubt done by engineers who understood the logic of the technique and none of the finesse. Most of these sites would list the average distance the rubber band could travel – typically around 22′-6″ which is pretty weak. We ran a few tests in our lab and out of 10 shots, the average distance traveled was 46′-0″ (ouch) – it would have been even longer except that is the longest space in my office. Basically, we had our backs against the wall and we shot the entire length of the gallery hall, past the reception desk, until it hit the exterior window.

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The 'Firing Range'

Another feature that this technique provides, beyond accuracy, is auditory. People will hear the sound of air being displaced as the rubber band passes them – it’s impressive and a little bit scary. This will allow you to engage in a “shock and awe” campaign that will ultimately identify you as a force to be reckoned with (you will have to make an example out of someone, and as a result, they will never be your friend – so choose your victim carefully…). It will probably be a good idea to get some practice time in before you unleash this new architectural skill set on your co-workers. To help you along, I have included a target here for your use (you can assign your own point value system).

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Shooting Rubber Bands from Bob Borson on Vimeo.

Sorry if you can’t see the video embed above but if you go to my site, it is available for viewing (re: mobile devices that don’t support flash)
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I know what your thinking and no … this video was not professionally shot. Maybe I should make that my thing, videos with terrible production value – I clearly have it mastered. I learned a few things making this (my second) video. I need a tripod and some video editing software for starters and and extra hour or so to make things nice – because you deserve it.
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About the author

Bob Borson

Dallas architect who specializes in modern design. I'm AIA, Leed AP, NCARB certified, and previous Dallas AIA Young Architect of the Year (2009).

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  • Stijn

    Great post, cannot wait to try this at home. It reminds me of another technique, which is to launch bottle caps from your fingers. You do it by squeezing a bottle cap between thumb and middle finger, holding the fingers as if preparing to snap. The middle finger pushes against the side of the cap. Then you snap the fingers. It requires bending your arm and wrist so that the cap is launched on a horinzontal trajectory. If you get it right the effect can be quite devastating – it again requires the cap to be spinning.

    I think I found this place quite a while ago when looking for a picture of woodgrain – it had a beautiful walnut grain, which is now my wife’s desktop background. I am a computer scientist/bioinformatics person, and find your postings interesting reading. Thanks!

  • Charlie

    I thought I was the only one who knew that special technique and had forgotten about those days so long ago with the occasional rubber band fight outbreak! A side comment…did you know that girls and boys deal with rubber band shooting slightly differently? We grew up with guns etc. and have a certain restraint, whereas a girl will shoot you in the face at point blank range! Sounds a little chauvinistic, sorry!

  • http://www.pillowthrowdecor.com PillowThrowDecor

    This is a good example of a brilliant mind on “pause”. You are too funny Bob! Any tips on paper airplanes?

  • Anonymous

    Hmmm, I haven’t made a paper airplane in a while but I used to have 2 or 3 styles that I could break out when needed. That is something to think about…

  • Anonymous

    We didn’t have too many women participate in rubber band fights but yes, we did have to institute a rule that mandated an 18′ perimeter (two cubicles) distance had to be maintained if you were going to shot at someone above the shoulders.

    What?!?

    Yes, we actually did go for head shots most of the time and with this technique, sometimes 18′ wasn’t enough.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks for the kind words – I am glad you stumbled upon my site and even happier that you find it worth your time to come back.

    I never did master the bottle cap technique – I tried a few times but gave up rather quickly … probably because the beer I drank during my formative schooling years came out of a can!

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  • KABHAP

    It’s about time that you stopped writing about Architectural “fluff” and got down to serious matters! Love the post!

  • http://twitter.com/johnwaire john waire

    you made my morning :)

  • http://twitter.com/Alexandrafunfit Alexandra Williams

    Will you please be on my team for the upcoming snowball wars I’d like to institute? That is, if they lower your dosage by then! Bob, Bob, Bob, I had long night and woke up kind of blah. But how can I stay that way when I get to read stuff like this from your demented mind? I suspect you spent too much time as a Lunch Lady yesterday – this is your revenge.

  • http://www.AJArchitects.com info

    June 1977, SOM Chicago. This was the first thing I learned to pass time while melting lead to cast Boeing 747’s for the Hajj terminal at Jeddah. Thanks for the memories!

  • anisha

    You crack me up! Love the post.

  • http://urbanverse.posterous.com cindy frewen wuellner

    actually my office had many women rubber band shooters; one who was a nationally ranked dart thrower. you did not want to mess with Therese! you and she should try a contest, looks lk you’re darn good. sports was non-gendered at our office too, not sure why since ESPN is so guy’ish -might be they’re missing a key demo! There was some strictly guy stuff– they loved to invent bizarre new mouth sounds, always making weird noises. and being impressed by facial hair experiments, new trims. those were the guy topics that we steered clear of.. but rubber bands knew no gender bounds, always in for a good match.

  • Joel

    This rubber band was left by an expert shooter at my firm that used to sit at the desk I’m at now. It was a dangerous place until he moved to the other end of the studio. It should be noted that this was done from a distance of about 10-12′ at a tough angle…

    We also specialize in a ‘tossing whatever the hell is around your desk blindly over the partition’ skillset and will likely update our website for that soon.

  • Anonymous

    Funny – in the old days when I was still hand drafting, we would tear a little hole into our “scumbags” and lob them at people. Once you hit your target, eraser dust would explode on them – Ha hah

  • Anonymous

    Cheers!

  • Anonymous

    Some things never change. There are fewer rubber bands laying around the office these days, maybe that’s why fewer people know how to do this correctly?

    Thanks for sharing

  • Anonymous

    I have to keep things real don’t I?

    Thanks for taking the time to comment -

  • Anonymous

    It was Dad’s Day in the lunchroom – there were no lunch ladies….

    I am running low on my pills but I am interested in knowing what’s going to happen once I run out?

  • Anonymous

    There are more women in my office than men so facial hair hijinks are rare. I also won’t shoot a rubber band at a girl (my mom raised me to respect women) but since they will pop off a shot every now and then, I shoot them in the ankles – they are always exposed :)

  • Richard

    LOL….Finally, a method of deciding what to design next…Not sure the CEO will find it as accurate as the research department’s decision making method but it appears to be less expensive….And more fun!

  • http://twitter.com/chamwashere Chamois Green

    At laaaast! I can now school my husband and coworkers in the art of rubber banding! This may be the most useful thing you’ve posted yet!…now, if only I could stop shooting the band backward into my own face…

  • Hollie Holcombe

    This is AWESOME. Thanks for the entertainment, and good job perfecting that technique! :)

    There is free video editing software out there. I am waiting for Lightworks to be distributed free soon. Never used it, but looks similar to other editing suites. Happy video-ing.

  • http://www.burningphotography.com/ Brandon Burns

    This is one of the funniest/important lessons I have learned on the internet.

  • http://www.burningphotography.com/ Brandon Burns

    Oh! You forgot the crucial skill of ricocheting off of the ceiling to hit a preferred target that may not be accessible by a direct shot. This method is critical for the cubical arena.

  • Anonymous

    I prefer to wait until the vic decides to peek around the corner or over the top and then … zing!

  • Anonymous

    I don’t believe that shooting yourself in the face is doing it the right way – at least I don’t cover that in the video. It took a little time to get my aim down because I shoot slightly crooked – the result of having one too many rubber bands break and hit me in the face. nothing like coming home with a broken blood vessel in your eye.

  • Dave

    II was taught this technique by a now VP at P+K. Perhaps if I devoted a bit more time training in this art, I might be sitting in a more desirable office.

    Great post! Thanks for the enlightenment.

  • http://twitter.com/mihiadam Adam Little

    I was enlightened by an engineer about this technique a few years ago. As you said, it allows for greater speed and accuracy which increases % of “kills.”

    I am excited to see the next installment where the technique of bending the ammo around an object to hit your preferred target!

    Fantastic post!

    Adam

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Adam –

    I must admit, I can’t teach people how to bend rubber bands around corners. That skill can only be developed after meditating non-stop for a year and only existing on the dew from ginkgo leaves.

  • http://www.buildingmoxie.com jb @BMoxieBMore

    bob you have really nice hands!

  • http://twitter.com/mihiadam Adam Little

    Im ready to begin my training… Luckily there is the Ginkgo in my front yard.

    Respectfully,

    Grasshoppa

  • Louis R. Avallone

    C’mon now. Checking door hardware submittals is an important, life safety responsibility (from this door and hardware company member’s perspective, at least).

  • http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com Bob Borson

    Louis,

    You of all people should know that checking a door hardware schedule is a difficult and thankless task. I also think that everyone who knows anything would agree that it’s important, but few people would describe it as fun.

    Thanks for taking the time to comment and thanks for being someone who checks door hardware schedules – I really do appreciate you.

  • Steve

    The technique is right, but the underhanded pull hand seems awkward. I have used the spinning technique for years with amazing precision. A more comfortable way is to make a L with your left hand, use you index finger to hold the RB, and pull back using the thumbnail. I once shot a fly on the ceiling from 10 ft away….

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  • http://twitter.com/Abadi_Access Marcela Abadi Rhoads

    Hi Bob – My Husband says: “Having worked at Lockheed, he notices that your technique is good but not optimum. In order to get that extra zip on a rubber band, one must piut a little forward momentum on the rubber band at the moment of release. Regarding size, hes not sure what a #32 size but as a rule of thumb, thicker is not better. In fact, thinner is better. Less drag and more zip. Happy shooting”.

  • Anonymous

    Your husband, despite being a super nice guy, clearly doesn’t have all the information. Just like an engineer to think they know everything and not get the nuance.

    Yes, there is a flick of if the wrist when shooting and #32 rubber band is thick enough to have some mass but it’s cross-section nearly square. If Dale would like to critique my technique after I shoot him in the neck from 20 feet and he is through writhing on the ground, I would be happy to accommodate him.

  • Flrjr

    i would give you a run for your money and I dont do anything more hand pull it back and hit every target  lol