Caber Timing

Okay...I am putting this out there for anyone who thinks they might be able to help me.  I am really struggling with the timing of the pull on cabers...especially longer cabers.  I always seem to be pulling late and I would chalk it up to being tall and the signals take longer to get from my brain to my muscles but I know some pretty good tall caber turners so that excuse doesnt work!  I am getting tired of not turning cabers I know I have enough strength to turn.  I am also getting tired of hearing that I am pulling to late!  I know I am!  Does anyone have a trick they use that takes the brain out of the equation.  I need to fool myself into pulling early or at the right time!  And please...please dont say.....Just pull sooner!

Also, try running with the legs a little more bent so there's not really as much "drop".

After watching some vid of my last attempt I think this is what I am doing.....the caber is way out infront before I can get planted to pull.....thanks guys...gonna go try some new stuff out....well maybe in the morning!

will barron wrote: This helps pull the bottom of the caber back - not just up - kind of like a backwards overhead shot throw.

Caber technique post of the week.

This is the key.

The caber should only be in 3 positions. 12:05.....12:00.....11:55.

Keep this in your minds eye.


12:05 position your starting to run with the caber it is trailing you.

12:00 It is neutral and balanced your about to drag step into your pull.

11:55 Your stopping dropping and pulling over your head.


One note on caber. Pushing the caber out away from you, on the attempt to turn will look just like your late on your pulls. So make sure your hands are as close to the body as possible.

Funny story, so this weekend I in a store and the 20something who is ringing up my purchase comments on the highland game t-shirt that I'm wearing.  He says "I think that it's funny that they make the guy with the caber look like he's struggling".  Impressed that he actually knew what a caber was I asked him "had he ever done the caber toss".  He responds "No, but I have a friend who works at Scarborough Faire and she told me that it's just a trick".  I respond "Well I compete in highland games and practice across the street at the park.  Why don't you come out and throw we me some time".  Kid never looks up or says anything until I leave...lol

will barron wrote: I am no caber champion, but I have also fought this same problem for 15 years of caber tossing.   The best advice I can give is as soon as you get up to top speed, and as soon as the caber starts to barely lean forward (barely), take a few stutter steps before dropping into the pulling position. This usually gives me an extra second to get ready to pull and helps reduce the downward force of the caber dropping - it seems to lessens the load I have to pull against.   I always try to locate the top of the caber with my eyes just before pulling and as I pull, I arch my back and look up towards the sky. I also don't cup just the bottom of the caber, I cup both the bottom of the handle and the front edge. I don't even touch the back half of the handle.   This helps pull the bottom of the caber back - not just up - kind of like a backwards overhead shot throw.