Practice Sessions

[joe skipp]

Thought I'd take a few minutes to detail my personal practice sessions. Seems quite a few new guys are always bringing up the subject.

Trad shooters need to stay on top of their gear on a regular basis. You need to spend as much time practicing and shooting as your time allows. Families come first but there's always that 30 minutes you can sneak away and fling a few arrows.

Since I'm now shooting both RH and LH, I break my sessions up into afternoon/evening. I'm fortunate to have a large backyard. I shoot at anything at unknown distances. I like to throw out small foam blocks anywhere from 15-45 yds. I'm a firm believer in long range practice.

I shoot 3 arrows at one target(LH), usually close up. Picking up my arrows I find my next target, don't know how far...don't care. Fire my next three shots. I continue this until I complete my 30 arrow session. Then, get my RH bow and repeat the process, randomly selecting my targets.

I repeat this again in the evening. My total is roughly 60 arrows per day (I should note this is done on my days off). On my work days(nights), I shoot 40 arrows, 20 from each bow prior to leaving for work. Always finish on a close target for confidence builder.

We don't have the luxury of 65-80% let-off bows so its mandatory, we stay on top of our game. Keeping those back and shoulders muscles in tune. The key is to make every shot count. Working on your form and improving your concentration. Shooting long range will improve your concentration and your form and this will carry over to those close range targets.

Since I don't own a 3D target or shoot 3D, anything that catches my eye in the yard is fair game. From a dandelion to bare patch of grass to a butterfly floating by. As a ground hunter, kneeling along with standing is essential when shooting.

You need to learn your bow and find out exactly what that bow/arrow setup will do for you. Take your time between shots. Focus on that spot you want to hit, bear down and "Upon release both hands to nothing..." Good shooting.........  

[Stone Knife]

Sounds like a good way to go about practice, I have a Rienhart block and like to warmup at a known distance and then just walk to random spots and shoot. Some shots in the open and others from behind trees or from the wife's garden if shes not looking.

[frassettor]

Great advice Joe! I usually shoot about 30 arrows per day 5-6 days per week. Its a little hard sometimes when I work 12 hr days, and it seems to take a little more concentration when I do shoot those days. What has helped for me, is that I NEVER leave off on a bad shot.
In Masters of the Barebow 1, I agree with Dean Torges 110% when he said "I guess the way I charctorize how I approach the bow, how I shoot the bow would be with the word RELAXED"...

When I am relaxed I shoot better, my concentration is better, and my shot is better. I have my St. Judes Hog hunt with Terry Green coming up in Aug, and I pray I can stay relaxed when the "majic" momuent is upon me, then I know I will be eating some bacon!

Thank you for posting this, its well appreciated and always welcomed          

[mcgroundstalker]

Right On Target Joe! A lot of us are guilty of not shooting enough... That's why I lost a couple arrows at the 3D range today...   :(   Miss high or low it's still a miss.......

... mike ...     ...

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I found today if there is a little wind, you can get a balloon to dance across the lawn.

Good Stuff Joe

[Ben Maher]

great stuff Joe !
That long range practice is I beleive a great indicator of from and a vital part of improving ... well for me anyway !

Kids ... YMMV ....