In this system, the diver's legs are bent, like the dart, and store energy to be used in pushing away from the board. The diving board, like a flexible atlatl, is bent back, storing energy to be used to push the diver away from board. With the diver and diving board pushing each other away at same time, the launch of the diver is considerably higher, smoother, and more powerful than if the diver had used a fixed rigid form. The weight in the atlatl system therefore serves as a timing device to bring the flexibility of the dart and the board in tune with each other, much as one might adjust the timing of a car engine. Perkins is continuing to reveal the secrets of atlatl technology.
Laws vary from state to state governing the use of atlatls for hunting.
In Montana legislation was introduced into the House and Senate a few years ago to create a special two-day atlatl season that would immediately precede the normal archery season. The first version of the bill passed the House, but the bill died before it could be reconciled between both the House and Senate versions. Nevertheless, it is legal to hunt with the atlatl in Montana during the general rifle season as long as you stick to the basic hunting rules-wear hunter's orange, have a valid license, and shoot only during daylight hours. Be sure to check the laws in your own state before hunting with an atlatl.