Cut a strip of vinyl siding, cardboard, whatever, about two inches wide and eight to ten inches long. Drive a nail through it at the centerline about an inch from the end. Remove the nail. Cut a slit from the nail hole to the end down the centerline.

Now if you need to drive a nail just out of reach or hammer one in without risking your fingers, just stick a nail in the hole, set it with a few strikes, then tug to pull the strip away.