Trad Gang

Main Boards => The Shooters FORM Board => Topic started by: gonefishing600 on November 19, 2011, 07:43:00 PM

Title: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: gonefishing600 on November 19, 2011, 07:43:00 PM
If you had to narrow it down to one thing, what would you say has made the biggest impact on your shooting?

For me, it would be adjusting my draw weight down to a more comfortable weight. In the beginning, I was caught up in that macho thing, and was shooting bows in the 60 and 70# range, which was really to heavy for me. I could shoot them, but after months of practice, my accuracy wasn’t really progressing like it should.

Once I realized the problem, I had a hard time accepting it, because I had several thousand dollars tied up in bows and arrows, and also admitting to myself I had made a huge error in judgment. When I did finally did accept it, and realized I had to make a big adjustment, I sold all my bows and arrows, and started all over.

Now my bows are down between 45 and 50#, and it has made a tremendous difference in my shooting. I had to buy new arrows, and retune them to my new bows, but now due to my efforts, I became twice as good at tuning arrows to my draw weight as before.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Green on November 19, 2011, 07:50:00 PM
What has made the biggest impact?  The qualified expert members that help folks in this forum.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: McDave on November 19, 2011, 07:57:00 PM
Learning to self-diagnose the errors I make.  I still make the same errors, but it is so nice to finally be able to say to myself, "Oops, I'll bet I cupped my string hand on that one," or "I must have dropped my bow arm," or "I didn't keep pulling through the shot," and have that actually solve the problem rather than just shooting bad shot after bad shot and wondering why.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: reddogge on November 19, 2011, 08:04:00 PM
Using a formaster to learn what fully engaging the back muscles felt like.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Jock Whisky on November 19, 2011, 08:24:00 PM
Back tension. I still get poor shots but the good ones are really good. And I know what I did wrong on the bad shots.

JW
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: njloco on November 19, 2011, 08:27:00 PM
I'd have to go with Green and McDave.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: JINKSTER on November 19, 2011, 08:34:00 PM
"If you had to narrow it down to one thing, what would you say has made the biggest impact on your shooting?

Keeping my mind open enough to gain a working understanding of instinctive aiming and the willingness to give it a fair chance only to discover it actually works..for me..and not to think my way through the shot..but to "FEEL" my way through the shot...consistant form is up to me..where my arrow strikes is up to my instincts...as long as "I" dont interfer.   :)
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: JINKSTER on November 19, 2011, 08:36:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Green:
What has made the biggest impact?  The qualified expert members that help folks in this forum.
yep..much better answer than mine.  :)

and?..THANKS ALL!  :)
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: RedShaft on November 19, 2011, 09:45:00 PM
over coming target panic and being able to control my shot. and having a bow i can handle weight wise.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Bowtie on November 19, 2011, 10:47:00 PM
Reducing the poundage.  I'm no spring chicken anymore, and have discovered that 45 lb. bows are perfect! What surprised me is that just reducing the poundage a few pounds, made a world of difference.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: pumatrax on November 19, 2011, 11:19:00 PM
glasses
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Aggieland on November 20, 2011, 10:18:00 AM
I'm pretty new to shooting trad but The biggest thing that has helped me and at least doubled my accuracy quickly, was learning to anchor and then touch my nose to the feather like what some on here have said is what Rick Welch teaches. It made me shoot much much better.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Flingblade on November 20, 2011, 01:54:00 PM
Joel Turners and Jay Kidwells segments from MBB4.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: JamesKerr on November 20, 2011, 08:42:00 PM
My biggest thing was when I started using the push release and pulling through with back tension.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: hookster on November 21, 2011, 02:28:00 AM
Tradgang shooters forum, Terry"s clock and Moebow's videos.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: zetabow on November 21, 2011, 02:45:00 AM
Not giving up when my shooting isn't at it's best
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Green on November 21, 2011, 05:36:00 AM
After my post for the appreciation of the members and Terry who help so much on here I think the single biggest factor was asking for help.  After 42 years of shooting "uncoached", I wanted to get better.....much better.  Terry, Arne, and then Javi's coaching "in person" helped to make that happen.  

Sure wish I hadn't waited all these years, but when I had to put my bows away in the late 90's, resources like TG and the Shooter's Forum weren't available yet.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: ishoot4thrills on November 21, 2011, 06:26:00 AM
Reading and applying what I read in Byron Ferguson's book, "Become the Arrow". That was the turning point of my trad archery shooting experience. In a few short weeks after reading that book, my shooting improved dramatically. Then, I continued to improve even more after joining and reading posts on Tradgang.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Okie man on November 21, 2011, 07:54:00 AM
Arne's rotational draw video, MBB 3, and little tidbits from the Howard Hill thread have helped me a  lot. I really wasn't using back tension until I began to use the rotational draw technique. Larry Yien and Rod's part of MBB also have lots of good info. The Hill thread had some pointers on grip with the Hill style bow. All of these together have greatly improved my shooting and I appreciate everyone who helps here on the shooters forum.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: BobCo 1965 on November 21, 2011, 04:01:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by gonefishing600:
If you had to narrow it down to one thing, what would you say has made the biggest impact on your shooting?

 
I would say my coach/mentor.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Breeze430 on November 21, 2011, 06:28:00 PM
self-diagnoses for me...Understanding what I did, to get this..helped a ton.....
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: maxwell on November 22, 2011, 04:44:00 PM
Follow through after the shot-
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: on November 22, 2011, 05:03:00 PM
Just because you draw doesn't mean you have to shoot.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: huntmaster70 on November 23, 2011, 04:35:00 PM
practice
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Widow's Son on November 23, 2011, 06:16:00 PM
Getting my right rotator cuff repaired. Shoulder surgery really slowed me down for a while but now I'm shooting better than ever.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: LPM on November 23, 2011, 09:22:00 PM
1. Like Fred Bear said...."The hand does not leave the face."

2. If I think I'm having control problems and shooting before I'm ready, I found a trick that helps me......I deny myself the shot.

Try it sometime.  Draw an arrow back, get the sight picture just right, concentrate.  ....Hold ...Hold....Hold....Hold
Then slowly let up while maintaining the sight picture. Deny yourself the shot.  You went through all that work to pull the bow back and didn't get the reward of watching the arrow fly.

Guess what...The world didn't end.

If you do this a few times you will gain control of your shot sequence. you will be able to release when you want to instead of triggering by motion and time alone.

It works!!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: AllenR on November 23, 2011, 11:22:00 PM
Spending a weekend with Len Cardinale.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Jack Whitmire Jr on November 24, 2011, 06:33:00 AM
Triple anchor and back tension , yeah I know that is two but they go together .
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Ravenhood on November 24, 2011, 07:53:00 AM
Although I dont use it now, a clicker started all of my improvements.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: skilonbw on November 25, 2011, 01:06:00 AM
Finding a local coach to watch and critique my form. Along with watching videos whether on internet or buying DVD's
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Ground Hunter on November 26, 2011, 10:06:00 PM
Strength.  More strength for me is more control.  The solution to that, for me, is working up in bow weight, not going down to make it easier.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: bucksakemmer on November 27, 2011, 05:53:00 PM
Two days with Rod Jenkins...
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: LongStick64 on November 27, 2011, 08:39:00 PM
Dropping down in weight with a bow meant to improve form. Only way to learn proper form is when you can perform the shot without any stress. Light bow weight allows you to master your form, improve confidence and you can only go up from there.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: poekoelan on November 27, 2011, 11:15:00 PM
Learning to come to full draw by equating shooting my bow to shooting a rifle. I have to thank the Push Release dvd for that.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: fmscan on November 29, 2011, 05:28:00 PM
Green and Arne helped me sooooo much! Rotation for back tension... Thanx guys
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: stujay on November 29, 2011, 06:35:00 PM
Trying and implementing some of the good tips found in this forum.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Terry Green on November 29, 2011, 07:40:00 PM
Proper Alignment by far....it cures a LOT of problems.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: joe skipp on November 29, 2011, 08:17:00 PM
Dropping bow weight, consistently hitting my anchor in the same spot,fine tuning the split vision method of aiming.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Benchmade111 on November 29, 2011, 08:52:00 PM
I agree with Joe. I dropped my weight and it help to focus on my form and my anchor.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: NBK on November 30, 2011, 12:23:00 AM
Confidence.  Believing that the arrow is going to go into that exact spot you're looking before you ever take the shot.  Hard to do when you shoot goups, and alot easier when you only take one arrow to the range.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Mic W on November 30, 2011, 11:32:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by huntmaster70:
practice
+1
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: thunder1 on December 02, 2011, 11:01:00 AM
The masters of the bare bow series.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: b44mag on December 02, 2011, 11:18:00 AM
i would have to agree with green
im new and all of you guys n gals here are the #1
reason im even hitting the target
so i would like to put a big
THANK YOU ALL out there
b44mag/brad
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: kevgsp on December 03, 2011, 08:20:00 PM
3 under with a high anchor
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Ben Maher on December 06, 2011, 07:35:00 PM
Watching MBB111 and then dragging Rod Jenkins over here to OZ .


 
Quote
Originally posted by Jim Casto Jr:
Just because you draw doesn't mean you have to shoot.
Jim ... what are ya talking about mate ? Do you mean that there are people who can actually let down after drawing ? I don't believe it .....   :saywhat:  

Seriously , Jim kinda hit the nail on the head with that comment . Learning that I CAN take control of my shot ...
Not quite there yet but getting there slowly .
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: chuckbow on December 06, 2011, 08:57:00 PM
3 anchor points for me!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: smokin joe on December 06, 2011, 09:36:00 PM
I agree with Green. There is a lot of great information about shooting here on TradGang.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: last arrow on December 07, 2011, 11:50:00 AM
What McDave said.  I still need help on knowing what went wrong with the shot.  I would like to see more posts on how to do that.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: gringol on December 08, 2011, 02:35:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by pumatrax:
glasses
HA! They do help, don't they!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Forrest Halley on December 09, 2011, 12:09:00 PM
Shooting with crazy accurate world class compound shooters has brought my form, focus and endurance @ 100# go through the roof. My accuracy has improved and I have a cheering/jeering squad that celebrates my tight groups and gives me a ration for bad shots. It's a crazy pace to keep up with, but I like my progress curve.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Encino Man on December 13, 2011, 03:26:00 AM
Developing the muscles to handle a bow comfortably and dropping my bow weight by 10 lbs.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: archeryprof on December 13, 2011, 10:56:00 AM
PRACTICING WITH ONLY ONE WELL TUNED ARROW.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: mmilinovich on December 14, 2011, 11:54:00 AM
The single biggest item that contributed to my shooting improvement?  That's easy:  A COMMITMENT TO EXPERIMENTATION.

Archers come in all sizes, shapes, ages, degrees of physical conditioning, levels of hand/eye coordination, etc., etc.

What works for one person (or many) will not work for others.

EXPERIMENT . . .

Try split finger, 3-under, 2-under, etc.

Try anchoring all over your face: on an eye tooth, under your cheekbone, under your eye, etc.  The only real requirement is that your anchor be reproducible every time.

While avoiding a death-grip on your bow, experiment with everything right down to a "shaking hands with a baby" grip.  

Try bows with a high-wrist, medium-wrist, low-wrist, and extra low-wrist grips.

Experiment with a pull-through release and with what's commonly called a "dead release."

Try recurves of varying lengths, draw-weights, and design.  Same for longbows.

Play with wood, aluminum, and carbon arrows.  Vary their weight and maybe even their length.

Ask other archers for advice but don't commit to something because it works for them.  It's what works for YOU that counts!

This all takes time, lots of it.  But that's part of the fun of archery.

Mark
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: MikeW on December 14, 2011, 12:28:00 PM
Probably drilling into my head "Aim small, Miss small" and then really focusing on that or putting it into practice when I shoot.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Dan Adair on December 17, 2011, 04:42:00 PM
Knowing when its time to quit....

Seroiusly.  Once you're butthurt and just poking and hoping, you're just learning bad habits that take years to break.

I shoot my Schafer daily in my singlewide.  Maybe a dozen arrows at a time...  But I do that 2 dozen times a day.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: paul87250 on December 18, 2011, 04:43:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by hookster:
Tradgang shooters forum, Terry"s clock and Moebow's videos.
X2

Also Jay kidwell's "Instinctive Archery Insights"
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Del Savio on December 20, 2011, 08:52:00 AM
The Shooter's Forum and special thanks to T.Green and Moeboe. After years of pretty clueless shooting, finding this site resulted in immediate improvement for me.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: beendare on December 20, 2011, 10:44:00 AM
Just giving it another go with trad equip.  here but best resource BY FAR is this site and the search function
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Rustic on January 08, 2012, 08:04:00 PM
Establishing my anchor point.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Mon Valley on January 11, 2012, 10:01:00 PM
For me it is paying attention to Pierre and J.P.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: arrow flynn on January 13, 2012, 02:48:00 AM
bob wesley
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: smoke1953 on January 13, 2012, 11:32:00 PM
Multiple anchor points and solid bow arm
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: sleepyhollow on January 14, 2012, 12:04:00 PM
Follow through-not dropping my bow arm
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Swamp Yankee on January 22, 2012, 08:08:00 PM
Practice.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Bjorn on January 22, 2012, 11:04:00 PM
A whole host of stuff; but eliminating all movement just prior to release has really boosted my accuracy.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Fritz on January 23, 2012, 10:24:00 AM
A clicker, without a doubt. It was the one piece of the puzzle I was missing.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: jbat73 on January 25, 2012, 02:00:00 PM
Shooting at 3D shoots and stump-shooting with friends who were better than me. I was able to kick back and watch some excellent shooting and learn a ton every weekend, J
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: House on January 26, 2012, 02:12:00 PM
I too would have to say the single biggest factor for me would have to be the Shooters Form Forum.  In particular Terry, Curt, McDave, Rod Jenkins, and Batman all helped me tremendously.  I posted a video a couple years ago and the response was quick, clear and spot on!  I learned more in one week than I had in 3 years of self diagnosis/learning and trying to make it all make sense.  I enjoy Moebows posts/videos as well.

Thank you so much for this forum Terry!  I think I may post another shooting vid up soon to get somemore feedback!

Travis
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Friend on January 26, 2012, 05:28:00 PM
Focus on improving bow arm stabilty.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Shan on January 27, 2012, 08:45:00 AM
double anchor and SQEEZING my back muscles like a trigger on a rifle.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: SHOOTO8S on January 27, 2012, 09:13:00 PM
learning that theres no such thing as too much true back tension!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Dan Adair on January 28, 2012, 06:20:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by SHOOTO8S:
learning that theres no such thing as too much true back tension!
Care to elaborate on that?  You've got that 2004 IBO title.  I'm just a guy that finishes 3rd to 5th at local shoots...
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: EHK on February 03, 2012, 09:39:00 AM
watching Rod Jenkins' segment in Masters of the Barebow 3 and then committing to shooting the blank bale.  Still a work in progress but definitely making positive changes for me.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: mncarphntr on February 03, 2012, 05:23:00 PM
For me without a doubt it has been video taping myself from different angles and analyzing it over and over. It is a real eye opener and shows up a lot of flaws big and small. Especially if you mostly shoot alone. I have my work cut out this winter!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: joe skipp on February 06, 2012, 12:30:00 PM
Dropping down in bow weight....Not struggling with the draw or hold. Now all my bows are 52/55/57#.

Also, knowing when to stop practicing when getting tired. This will lead to bad habits that can be hard to break.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: momo on February 19, 2012, 02:44:00 PM
staying in shoot keeping bow arm strong. along with a good clean release
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Tall Paul on February 19, 2012, 04:59:00 PM
Masters of the Barebow 1,2,3 and 4.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: champ38 on February 20, 2012, 05:26:00 AM
Moving up in bow wt.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: petertschantz on February 20, 2012, 07:22:00 AM
watching Terry's segment on aligment on the Bowhunter's of Trad Gang and putting it into practice, and then finding a solid repeatable anchor point (instead of what I though was solid and repeatable). My avatar pic shows what I was doing. I'm leaving it so I don't forget...

World of difference!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Keith Langford on February 20, 2012, 06:13:00 PM
Rick Welch, nuff said
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Boesman on February 22, 2012, 10:44:00 AM
The answers I received to questions posted on Shooters'Forum made all the difference for me last year. So I'd have to say this forum was the one thing that truly helped me improve.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: TexasTrad on February 22, 2012, 03:14:00 PM
Attending Rick Welch's shooting school.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: tuscarawasbowman on February 22, 2012, 04:27:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Keith Langford:
Rick Welch, nuff said
:thumbsup:   X2 want to take his class someday..
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: modr on February 24, 2012, 12:24:00 AM
Slowing down my shot.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Hopewell Tom on March 16, 2012, 05:29:00 PM
Keeping my bow arm steady.
Still learning though. Next up is the video of my shooting and getting some knowledgeable people to look at it. Mostly I can trace any poor shot to my bow arm. Funny that idea of denying yourself the shot. Probably be a good thing in the end, but oh my, the frustration, which is the point...
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: acadian archer on March 16, 2012, 06:53:00 PM
for me shooting spots at 3 to five yards which allows me to work on my release, keep my arm steady and follow through.

This keeps things automatic when shooting at 20-30 yards so the only thing i think about is the shot, nothing else
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: turkeyslayer on March 16, 2012, 09:37:00 PM
Maintaining good back tension completely thru the shot
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: zootown2007 on March 22, 2012, 06:28:00 PM
Hitting your anchor on every shot...and remembering that shooting is FUN not work or practice
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: TSP on April 16, 2012, 05:33:00 PM
Keeping it simple.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Ruff Hewn on April 17, 2012, 09:49:00 PM
I would have to say, using my back to pull through the shot.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: longrifle346 on May 20, 2012, 07:13:00 PM
Not sure I could limit what success I've had, as sparce as some might consider it, to one thing but if I had to pick it would be immersing myself into anything and everything traditional archery by reading, listening, and experimenting. Some things work, some don't for me, but I keep an open mind. I picked up trad again after a 20 year hiatus and feel very lucky to be enjoying the accuracy I am this quickly. The threads and videos here, posts by others  who were struggling, and the responses by the knowledgeable archers have often proven applicable, in whole or in part, to problems I may be having at the time. There's not much pertaining to form or tuning here on TradGang that I haven't read in the past few months and learning the tuning process for myself instead of having to take my rig to a shop all the time has given me a much broader working knowledge and the ability to recognize flaws and correct myself a lot quicker.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: chuckbow on May 20, 2012, 09:16:00 PM
three anchor points!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: MulieMike on May 22, 2012, 12:42:00 AM
As I am very new to shooting traditional the one thing i notice is i am much more accurate if i make sure i am standing tall. If i notice my groups growing it is usualy due to being too hunched over, in return, im not getting the full back tention i need and front side is slightly colapsed
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: JohnnyWayne on May 22, 2012, 06:29:00 AM
Practice, self-confidence and that funny little clock on the top left of this page  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: stiknstringer on May 23, 2012, 11:34:00 AM
Consistant anchor and clean release.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: poekoelan on May 24, 2012, 01:19:00 AM
Beating my target panic!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: tradspirit on May 24, 2012, 02:42:00 PM
The Hanky method and the surprise release that results from my final expansion while continuing to maintain back tension.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Big Fisherman on May 25, 2012, 10:20:00 AM
Arrow diameter reduction and concentration on keeping the arrow under my eye.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: cahaba on May 27, 2012, 02:39:00 AM
Blind bale without a doubt. It helps me with form, back tension and my release.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Kevin Dill on May 28, 2012, 11:44:00 AM
Overall, I had to completely rebuild my form. I knew it. Once I got willing, I understood that strength to pull the bow was paramount. If you can't control the bow...you can't execute a good shot. I wasn't willing to drop a single pound in bow weight. I spent a month shooting at 5 yards. 65# longbow...full draw...anchor...shoot. No concern on accuracy, and I mean that. I did nothing but form shoot and build strength for 3 solid months, always refusing to pay any attention to where the arrow hit.

I got to where I could slow draw my 65# longbow to full draw and hold it. Clean release and follow-through. The funny thing was this: Despite steadfastly refusing to care where ANY arrow hit the butt, I found myself shooting 5-arrow groups which got tighter and smaller each week. I had to increase distance just to prevent crashing arrows. As long as I shot with 100% focus on form, the accuracy was automatically there.

I still follow this philosophy today. I shoot with a tremendous degree of confidence and control. I get ALL of my bow's power into the shot. I can slow draw on a moose or a whitetail, and feel no urgency to get the shot over with.

I'd like to also add this: An accomplished shooter once explained to me that he had no cares about his acuracy. Where the arrow hit did not worry him. It was simply a RESULT of his shooting. If it didn't hit where he intended, then he had to do something different. He was very analytical and unemotional about his accuracy. A complete miss would produce no negativity...just an acknowledgement that he had to work on his shooting form. He was the BEST recurve shooter I've ever watched, and I learned from that. I no longer shoot for accuracy or care where my arrow hits in practice. I just try to always use excellent form and forget the rest of it. I've never shot better in my life...never felt more comfortable with my heavier bows.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Friend on May 29, 2012, 08:46:00 AM
Acquired a willing, skilled, competent, motivated and patient mentor of which I am committed to both listen- to and ardently strive to apply feedback during all shooting sessions.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Legolas on November 28, 2012, 11:05:00 PM
Understanding that nobody hits the target by trying not to miss.

Also if you aim for a rabbit's head you may miss. If you aim for the center of the rabbit's eye you will hit its head.   :goldtooth:
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: RedStag5728 on November 29, 2012, 07:37:00 AM
Re-adjusting my grip for sure helped me. Before I was holding the bow like I would grip the handle of a knife, but now after seeing several posts about the proper grip being the base of the thumb and keeping the handle near the lifeline and the thumb knuckle on the side of the handle it helped tremendously.

I was grouping to the left of the target consistently (hitting the shoulder and neck area of my 3d deer) and now the arrows are hitting where I want them to!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Diamond Paul on November 29, 2012, 09:13:00 AM
Well, the one most important thing was dropping bow weight (to 45lbs).  However, I watched some Rick Welch vids and started really working on developing a secondary anchor (I shoot split, though, so I don't use the feather to the nose thing) and consciously pausing at full draw.  I also went to a vertical bow, which makes it easier for me to consistently repeat everything.  Along with all of this, I went to lighter arrows (8-9 grains per lb. instead of 11-12 grns.); this made me much more consistent at longer ranges.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: on November 29, 2012, 06:10:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Kevin Dill:
Overall, I had to completely rebuild my form. I knew it. Once I got willing, I understood that strength to pull the bow was paramount. If you can't control the bow...you can't execute a good shot. I wasn't willing to drop a single pound in bow weight. I spent a month shooting at 5 yards. 65# longbow...full draw...anchor...shoot. No concern on accuracy, and I mean that. I did nothing but form shoot and build strength for 3 solid months, always refusing to pay any attention to where the arrow hit.

I got to where I could slow draw my 65# longbow to full draw and hold it. Clean release and follow-through. The funny thing was this: Despite steadfastly refusing to care where ANY arrow hit the butt, I found myself shooting 5-arrow groups which got tighter and smaller each week. I had to increase distance just to prevent crashing arrows. As long as I shot with 100% focus on form, the accuracy was automatically there.

I still follow this philosophy today. I shoot with a tremendous degree of confidence and control. I get ALL of my bow's power into the shot. I can slow draw on a moose or a whitetail, and feel no urgency to get the shot over with.

I'd like to also add this: An accomplished shooter once explained to me that he had no cares about his acuracy. Where the arrow hit did not worry him. It was simply a RESULT of his shooting. If it didn't hit where he intended, then he had to do something different. He was very analytical and unemotional about his accuracy. A complete miss would produce no negativity...just an acknowledgement that he had to work on his shooting form. He was the BEST recurve shooter I've ever watched, and I learned from that. I no longer shoot for accuracy or care where my arrow hits in practice. I just try to always use excellent form and forget the rest of it. I've never shot better in my life...never felt more comfortable with my heavier bows.
I thought this needed repeating.  :^)  Fantastic stuff in there.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: gonefishing600 on December 17, 2012, 09:44:00 PM
Good stuff, great discipline!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: gonefishing600 on December 19, 2012, 09:22:00 PM
I have been shooting a longbow for about four years, but first started this post a little over a year ago. Since that time my accuracy has doubled in only a years time. I contribute that success to my passion for tradtional archery, which has given me great disipline that has again push me to become a better archer. I love shooting my bow!!

It's been tough to stay at it through thick and thin, through lifes trouble and still find the time to shoot. I have five kids, two business, and a loving wife. We as men, need our hobbies in order to keep our sanity, call it what you will, but you know what I mean!

Archery is a great skill, and just like every skill there is a learning phase, usually 3 to 4 years, journeyman, and then a new skill is born,. I read something several months ago that there's and old mongolian saying that says, forget about archery for a day, and it forgets about your for 10 days. I have found this to be true, I try to practice at least, every other day. Point being, it kind of like loosing weight, it needs to be a way of life to make it permanent.  

Stay with it, tweek it, keep and open mind, study other archers, it will come. I don't know who invented this site, but my hats are off to you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!


Thanks
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: manfromthepast on December 29, 2012, 09:46:00 AM
Two things: 1) using a form master religiously; and 2) switching to a tab after using a glove for 30 years.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Retnuh Wob on December 30, 2012, 02:08:00 AM
Best thing I have done to help my shooting has been to take Rick Welches class. Also, paying attention to what some of the more experienced shooter on Tradgang have advised. I've learned a lot form Terry Green's and Moebows comments.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Sticks2117 on December 30, 2012, 05:59:00 PM
Hands down the formaster. It has taught me how to pull through
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: ironmike on December 31, 2012, 01:58:00 AM
becoming ambidextrous improved my archery more than anything.refined my form by unilateral application.keeps the injuries away that come from one sided repetition.. and i'm always building strenght,progessing,and keeping the old injuries at bay.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: twistedlim on January 12, 2013, 08:00:00 AM
Shooting at 3 yards,
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: So-Mo Archer on January 12, 2013, 08:34:00 PM
There are two things of equal importance to my shooting.

First, was switching to 3 under from split finger. This has allowed me to anchor more cleanly and set my sight picture more consistently.


Second, was developing a consistent double anchor (middle finger to corner of mouth and thumb joint in the angle of my jaw). This gives me a solid, reliable anchor point, and has boosted my accuracy from "who knows where it went" to 4 inch groups at 20 yards. I am cross-eye dominant, so any improvement in anchor and alignment is a blessing.

***Another thing that has helped is Rick Welch's motto from his website:  How far is that? Don't know. Don't care. This has made me trust my form and sight more, and more often than not, I hit near my mark!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Robert Armstrong on April 10, 2013, 07:11:00 PM
Kevin Dill said it, Jim Casto Jr. repeated it & its that way for me. Slow,determined practice and the results just come. This is why I checked out Trad Gang to start with. Some times I just need to start from scratch to make it new again. Lots of good thoughts here.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: RecurveRookie on April 11, 2013, 09:41:00 PM
Moebow critiqued my form and helped me fix four big errors.  He opened my eyes to the importance of form.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Legolas on April 15, 2013, 10:48:00 AM
Understanding this:
You can't hit something by trying not to miss.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: britt on April 16, 2013, 09:27:00 AM
The single best thing was attending Rod Jenkins clinic last weekend in Santa Fe. Best money I ever spent on archery.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: beaunaro on April 21, 2013, 11:33:00 PM
Rick Welch's class and taking good notes while I was
there.
Irv Eichorst
 www.truesouthadventures.com (http://www.truesouthadventures.com)
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: ArrowCraCra on April 22, 2013, 11:45:00 AM
Rod Jenkins clinic
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: RC on April 23, 2013, 08:12:00 PM
Memorizing a borrowed Rick Welch volume II. Even the hog hunting parts......RC
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Jim C on April 26, 2013, 03:12:00 AM
I don't mean to be rude but I stopped trying every new thing that came down the pike and reading so much. Everytime I would start to come into my own, someone came up with a new idea or reccomendation on how you should shoot and off I'd go. I settled on going to an archery school, learning that style, and then following it. In time, certain things developed and that style morphed a little to fit me. I guess what I'm trying to express is set yourself on a style and give it a chance. If some "expert" said stand on one leg, I'd do it. I never progressed cause I never gave any one style a chance to develop.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Echo62 on April 26, 2013, 08:20:00 AM
A high wrist recurve.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Overspined on April 27, 2013, 11:38:00 AM
I've got injuries, as we age who doesn't??  Still, Ron LaClaire said stop saying you can't, and focus on doing what you want yourself to do.  Combining that with continuing to learn and copy the little things H Hill did, I'd say I'm on the right path to continue progressing.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: LCH on May 04, 2013, 09:52:00 PM
I got instruction from Ben Graham (Hummingbird Bows) Ben taught me how to get proper form and to practice it.LCH
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: canshooter on May 20, 2013, 10:12:00 PM
Watching The Rod Jenkins portion of Masters of the Barebow vol 1 !
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Walt Francis on May 23, 2013, 11:22:00 PM
I can't limit it to just one there were several things that made my shooting consistent and accurate.

Close up blind bale shooting with the eyes closed while focusing on nothing but a consistent, repeatable shot twenty five y years ago, didn't know what good form was then-Myself:-)

Picking a tiny spot

Alignment-Terry

Conclusion-Rod

Videoing my shooting

Re-discovering the the blind bale, I now shoot 85% of my arrows at three yards (with the eyes closed)

And contrary to apparent consensus, going back up in weight.  I dropped weight and improved short term, but lost muscle tone/strength and found shooting 50# was just as hard as shooting 65# a few years before.  After progressively rebuilding my strength, 65# feels like 50# did two years back.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Northwest_Bowhunter on May 30, 2013, 07:07:00 PM
Reading and rereading the following thread:

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=005155
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: jackdaw on June 01, 2013, 12:41:00 PM
Switching to three under...then practicing 5 days a week for the last number of years. Pay CLOSE attention to your form when shooting....there...that's ONE....lol...
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: Tron on June 01, 2013, 08:55:00 PM
Same as many people here (judging by the number of responses on his post, "Traget Panic Reality Check" if you haven't seen it, and struggle with shooting, read it)  Joel Turner has helped me the most.  He spent about 5 minutes with me and another guy at a shoot once, and his lessons have had the most impact on my shooting.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: PRK on June 02, 2013, 08:00:00 AM
Working with Arne Moe to develop my form and change many years of bad habits, plus dropping my bow weight.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: riivioristo on June 03, 2013, 08:19:00 AM
Hi!

perhaps matching arrows to my bow and style actually, but just this morning at close bale the "push/pull" practice again reminded me about how important that is: push/pull involved: better form --> tight groups and when forgetting p/p --> everything astray...

How I love shooting with my BW !!!!!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: dirtguy on June 03, 2013, 03:21:00 PM
Going to a lighter bow and shooting more.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: coldwinterlake on April 01, 2014, 07:53:00 AM
For me the thing was writing down my personal shot sequence.

1. Look at the target
2. Keep the bow armand extended toward the target
3. Set the cant
4. Put your body weight slightly on posterior feet
5. Push/Pull the bow until hitting the anchor
6. Check anchor (thumb knuckle to cheek bone, index finger to the corner of mouth, elbow high, head steady and slightly tilted like the cant in the bow)
7. KEEP PUSHING AND PULLING
8. Pick the smallest spot possible
9. SECOND ANCHOR: EAR

The string hand never leaves my face, it's like sliding along my face until the string slips of my fingers and the hand keeps moving toward my ear.
Release MUST be aligned with the string and shooting line. Forearm must be aligned with the arrow and shooting line.
If I'm hitting to the right (I'm lefty)I cant the bow little bit more, this fixes it without changing my form.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: DennyK on April 01, 2014, 01:48:00 PM
Arne's Videos (Moebow) The rotational draw with a deep hook.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: SKITCH on April 01, 2014, 02:20:00 PM
Quote
Originally posted by DennyK:
Arne's Videos (Moebow) The rotational draw with a deep hook.
Could someone post a link to these videos??  Please.  Can't find it now!     :knothead:      :help:    
Thanks
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: moebow on April 01, 2014, 02:43:00 PM
Here it is SKITCH.

 https://www.youtube.com/user/TheMoebow1

Arne
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: SKITCH on April 01, 2014, 02:47:00 PM
Wow. That was fast!!  Thanks Arne!!!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: DennyK on April 01, 2014, 07:05:00 PM
Skitch, I starting using the rotational draw/deep hook in early January and I'm just now getting to the point that it feels really comfortable. My point is don't rush it, break Arne's vidoes apart slowly and watch them several times. It does take work, but it is very much worth it.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: SKITCH on April 01, 2014, 07:46:00 PM
Thanks Denny.  Ill keep that in mind.  I've heard such great things I think it's time to work on it!!
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: tom cunningham on April 09, 2014, 12:26:00 PM
For me it was after taking Rod's clinic that I am able to do what Mcdave describes....being able to analyze my own shooting issues.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: moththerlode on April 13, 2014, 05:00:00 PM
Not pulling too much wt. And when I have an issue I back off of shooting and try to think my way through it.
Title: Re: What is the one single thing that has helped your shooting?
Post by: RecurveRookie on May 10, 2014, 01:02:00 PM
Coach Arne's good advice on proper form, I did it all wrong for the first 2 years.  Of course all the great folks and advice here in the "Gang"!