ladders, multipurpose bags, etc.). Sandbags are often used to temporarily stabilize soil from erosion, such as oceanfront structures whose foundations have been undermined by heavy waves. Sandbags are also used in earthbag construction to make inexpensive, environmentally sustainable homes. In addition, sandbags are often used when shooting a long gun, specifically a rifle or sniper rifle, from a rest, as it provides support for the weapon, allowing for less movement during shooting. Sandbags of various sizes and weights can be used for exercise or resistance training. Sandbags are used for safety in film, video and theatrical production. Sandbags are often used as easily portable weight to lower the center of gravity of a Light stand or a C-Stand where heavy items are placed at the top of a high stand often having a small base. Shot bags are another type of flexible weight used for the same purpose. Figurative use In games and various kinds of adversarial settings, the term sandbagging refers to the practice of purposely placing oneself in a weaker position so as to give the deceptive impression that one is less skilled than one truly is. In slang The word can also refer to a simple weapon consisting of a small bag filled with sand for use as a cudgel typically by criminals, or to the act of striking a person on the head with such a weapon. This usage is obsolescent in normal speech, appearing mainly in legal codes. However the verb form is extended metaphorically in several slang expressions. Gallery See also Hesco bastion HydroSack, brand name of an alternative sandless sandbag for flood control Metalith, brand name/manufacturer of an alternative flood control technology Sandbagging References External links California Department of Water Resources - Flood Fighting at home, How to fill and place sandbags (PDF) California Department of Water Resources and the California Conservation Corps - Flood fighting Methods (PDF) US Army Corps of Engineers Sandbagging pamphlet (PDF) FEMA - Flood Response manual for Community Emergency Response Teams, including sandbagging techniques (PDF) US OSHA recommendations for safely Filling, Moving and Placing Sandbags During Flooding Disasters Articles containing video clips Bags Flood control Fortifications by type Soil Soil-based building materials