An examination of the physical laws behind the function and performance of the atlatl-both with and without weights-is presented. The increased distance a dart can be thrown with the atlatl is a function of the increased mechanical advantage which the atlatl provides by increasing the length of the moment arm. The location of weight on an atlatl is shown to produce a performance less than or equal to that achieved without a weight. It is proposed, although unproven, that the addition of a weight to an atlatl acts as a stabilizing device to reduce side to side oscillations and thereby providing greater control. The penetration of a projectile thrown with an atlatl is greater than that of one thrown by hand and about equal to that of an arrow shot from a bow.
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William B. Butler (1975) studied this question.