Catapult in my roblox game holds players instead of launching them

It's network ownership. Each player's character is simulated by their own client, so velocity you set on the server gets overwritten almost immediately, which is why they barely move. Fire a RemoteEvent to that player at the top of the swing and apply the impulse on their HumanoidRootPart from a LocalScript. Putting the humanoid into the Physics or FallingDown state for a moment helps too, otherwise it fights to stay upright. Also check nothing is welding them to the bowl.