Ninja stars (and called shuriken) are a lot easier to learn to throw reliably than throwing knives, and there’s a much smaller learning curve, since most of them have multiple points.
That said, it is still very possible to be “bad” at throwing ninja stars. Improper release, throwing the stars so that they do not strike a target edge on, poor choice of a target, and other factors can all result in issues with throwing stars.
Here are some of the top things that might be causing your ninja stars not to stick.
Poor Throwing Form and Mechanics
This is the reason that ninja stars are not sticking for 99% of throwers. While it is a lot easier to become proficient with shuriken than it is with throwing knives, you still need to get proper throwing form and mechanics down.
It doesn’t matter how good the release looks or feels; if the throwing star does not strike the target edge-on, it’s not going to stick. It’s going to hit the target and bounce right off.
Now, one of the main things that causes this issue is a bad release, in which the wrist or elbow imparts unwanted lateral motion to the throwing star. That will cause that star to wobble and much of the time it will strike the target flat, and not stick in the process.
One of the main things you should coach yourself on with respect to form is to make sure that your arm and elbow move in a straight line, with no twist. Twist imparts wobble and wobble begets inaccuracy and inconsistency.
If you’re having a hard time, get closer to the target and throw just with your elbow and wrist, like you’re throwing darts. Once you can reliably get the stars to stick at closer ranges, you can back up and impart more power to your throw. You don’t want to be increasing power and working on form at the same time.
Poor Choice of Target Materials
It is also potentially the case that, even if your form is flawless, if you’re throwing at inappropriate targets, it won’t make a difference.
Wood with the end grain facing you is a good target. Very dense wood is not necessarily good, and neither are hard plastics or rubber. For obvious reasons, stone and masonry should be avoided.
Thick paper targets (like corrugated cardboard) can be suitable provided they are thick enough to absorb the ninja star’s mass and hold it so it sticks instead of bouncing off or falling out.
Your Ninja Stars Are Dull
Lastly, in a minority of cases, ninja stars might not stick in the target simply because the points are dull.
Maybe they’re old, maybe you throw them a lot, and maybe you throw them at inappropriate targets. Maybe they’re just too dull from the factory.
Either way, if you can reliably determine that it is not your form that’s causing failures to stick, and you’re confident you’re throwing at a good target, the next thing you should do is investigate the points of the ninja stars.
Check them and if they’re too dull, apply them to a stone and see if that helps you stick more stars in your targets the next time you square up.
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Want some new ninja stars for your collection? Check BUDK first. They carry a wide range of shuriken and throwing knives, and many of them are surprisingly affordable. Check out their website and if you have any questions get in touch with them before you buy; they’ll be happy to help you out.
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