If you've spent any time in UK catapult circles, you'll have heard the argument: OTT or TTF? Over-the-top or through-the-forks? Both are proven, both win competitions, and both have loyal followings. But they feel different, they aim different, and they suit different shooters.
So here's a plain-English breakdown - what each one actually is, how they change your sight picture and band behaviour, and how to work out which one suits you.
Same latex, two ties. Left: OTT, pouch on its edge. Right: TTF, pouch flat.
TTF bands clipped to the sides of the forks.
What is OTT (Over-The-Top)?
OTT stands for Over-The-Top. The bands are mounted on top of the forks, and the ammo leaves the frame above the tips.
That setup gives you:
A clean, open sight picture
A slightly higher reference point
A smooth, predictable release
Less chance of fork hits for most shooters
OTT is the most common style in modern target shooting, and it's the standard setup for most bandsets - including mine - unless you ask me otherwise.
What is TTF (Through-The-Forks)?
TTF stands for Through-The-Forks. The bands sit on the sides of the forks, and the ammo travels through the gap between them.
Shooters who love TTF tend to prefer:
A lower, more traditional aiming reference
A more instinctive feel
A wider fork gap
A different anchor point and sight alignment
TTF can be incredibly accurate in the right hands. It does ask more of you, though - because the ammo is passing between the forks, a sloppy release is where fork hits come from.
The differences that actually matter
Fork hits. This is the big one. OTT launches the ammo over the top of the frame, so fork hits are rare for most shooters. TTF sends it straight down the middle of the gap, so your release has to be consistent. Get it right and it's fine. Get it wrong and you'll know about it.
Sight picture. OTT sits higher, which many shooters find gives a cleaner, less cluttered aim. TTF sits lower and feels more traditional - closer to how catapults were shot for decades.
Band behaviour. TTF gives a slightly wider fork gap, which some shooters feel is more forgiving on the bands themselves. OTT keeps everything tighter and slightly higher.
Speed and power. Honestly, no difference. The latex, the taper, and your ammo do far more for your speed than the fork style does. Don't pick OTT or TTF expecting a power gain.
Which one should you choose?
There's no "better" option - just what suits you. A rough way to decide:
Choose OTT if you're new to catapults, if you want the cleanest sight picture, or if you want the standard setup that most shooters and most bandsets are built around.
Choose TTF if you've shot that way for years, if you prefer a lower and more instinctive aim, or if you've tried both and TTF simply feels right to you.
If you're brand new and genuinely unsure, go OTT. It's more forgiving while you build your form, and you can always switch once you know what you like.
Can you switch between them?
Yes, but not just by flipping the bands over. OTT and TTF use different tying methods, so switching properly means a different bandset. The good news is that's a cheap experiment - and if you're not sure which way you'll go, tell me when you order and I'll set it up for whichever style you're shooting.
What do I shoot?
OTT, and it's what I'd recommend to most shooters starting out. I've shot TTF, I rate it, and I know shooters who shoot it brilliantly. But for target work - where I want the same sight picture and the same release every single shot - OTT is what I keep coming back to. All my band sets are sent tied OTT as standard, with TTF on request. Shop catapult bands →
