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 Common boomerang throwing errors and how to avoid them:

• Never throw your boomerang side arm or like a frisbee.  Throwing your boomerang in this manner will cause it to go straight up very rapidly and then come back down just as fast and possibly hit you or someone near you.  This can also cause your boomerang to break.  The proper way to throw your boomerang is overhand like a traditional baseball pitcher.  Please see Throwing Instructions for more on this.
• Never stand still while throwing your boomerang.  Have you ever thrown a baseball from a pitcher mound to a catcher?  If you're standing still while you throw that ball it most likely isn't going to make it or it's going to be a weak throw.  Watch a pitcher throw a ball.  If he's a right handed thrower his left foot is stepping forward as he throws and if he is a left handed thrower his right foot is stepping forward as he throws.  The same is true when you throw a boomerang. This stepping motion will give you a stronger throw.  
• Griping your boomerang.  You should grip your boomerang at the end of one of the arms.  It doesn't matter which arm.  There are two types of grips.  You have the pinch grip which is when you pinch your boomerang between your thumb and pointer finger and your cradle grip which is when you place your boomerang in the palm of you hand and wrap your thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger abound your boomerang.  Experiment with both grips and see which one works best with your throwing style.
• Are you snapping your wrist at the end of your throw?  The successful return of your boomerang depends on a good snap of the wrist.  This is where the spin comes from.  And, if you don't have any spin your boomerang will not come back.  Try throwing a ball, casting a fishing rod or throwing darts without snapping your wrist.  You'll see that that baseball throw, casting of the rod, and dart throw will not be as good as when you snap your wrist.  If you are using the pinch grip, the snap of the wrist is similar to throwing darts.  If you are using the cradle grip, the snap of the wrist is similar to casting a fishing rod. Experiment with both and see which one gives you the best spin.
• Which way do I hold my boomerang? It does matter which way you hold your boomerang. Most boomerangs are only painted on one side.  This is done to make it easier for the thrower to know which way to hold it.  The painted side should always be on the inside so that you can see it and the plain side should be on the outside.
• Does it matter which direction I throw my boomerang? Yes.  This is probably the most common reason a boomerang does not return to a thrower.  Determining the wind direction is very important. You can do this by throwing some grass clippings into the air or use a wind tracker/flag as I do. Once you know which way the wind is blowing you want to face the wind so that it is blowing into your face.  If you are a right handed thrower you now need to turn 45º to 90º to your right and if you are a left handed thrower you need to turn 45º to 90º to your left.

Boomerang trouble shooting:

Left Handed Throwers
My boomerang lands to my right:

Throw more to the left of the wind.  On less windy days throw with less tilt angle.

My boomerang flies in front of me and lands to my left:

Throw more to the right of the wind.  On less windy days throw with more tilt angle.

My boomerang lands in front of me:  

Throw with more power. Throw with more spin. Throw with less spin. Throw with more tilt angle. Adjust for wind direction. If there is no wind, the boomerang might need more wind.

My boomerang flies high then dives down and crashes:

Throw with less tilt angle (never throw side arm).

My boomerang flies high at first, then recovers, then crashes short of me:

Throw your boomerang lower - closer to the horizon.

My boomerang comes back but does some extra loops at the end:

Throw with less power or less tilt angle.

My boomerang flies straight:

Make sure you're not using a Right handed boomerang.  Make sure the painted/decorated side is facing you when you throw.

My boomerang flies low in the beginning and then flies high:

Throw your boomerang higher.

The flight of my boomerang looks like a backwards "S":

Throw your boomerang higher.

Right Handed Throwers
My boomerang lands to my left:

Throw more to the right of the wind.  On less windy days throw with less tilt angle.

My boomerang flies in front of me and lands to my right:

Throw more to the left of the wind.  On less windy days throw with more tilt angle.

My boomerang lands in front of me:

Throw with more power. Throw with more spin. Throw with less spin. Throw with more tilt angle. Adjust for wind direction. If there is no wind, the boomerang might need more wind.

My boomerang flies high then dives down and crashes:

Throw with less tilt angle (never throw side arm).

My boomerang flies high at first, then recovers, then crashes short of me:

Throw your boomerang lower - closer to the horizon.

My boomerang comes back but does some extra loops at the end:

Throw with less power or less tilt angle.

My boomerang flies straight:

Make sure you're not using a left handed boomerang.  Make sure the painted/decorated side is facing you when you throw.

My boomerang flies low in the beginning and then flies high:

Throw your boomerang higher.

The flight of my boomerang looks like an "S":

Throw your boomerang higher.