Just got back from Rick Welchs school

[cedar swampman]

Hey guys, I just got back from school and all I can say is Rick is the "real deal". We shot a 20 target course unmarked distance when I first got there with my bow/arrow setup- shot a whopping 130. He then dissected my form(or lack of) and did a little bow tuning and we spent a good 7 hours shooting. I must admit I was a little intimidated shooting with one of the best shots in the world but Rick was very good at making me feel at ease. The second day we were able to fine tune my bow to fit me and changed my arrow setup and guess what you don't need to front load carbons to achieve great arrow flight. The second day I shot another unmarked 20 target and my score was 181! An increase of 51 points in 2 days tells me his system works. Thanks Rick

[xtrema312]

Sounds like quite an improvement.  Congratulations.  Where is Rick’s school?  I read someplace he put on a school in Michigan.  

What all did you do to your form and bow?  I would be interested in all the little changes you made, how you made them, and how the need for the changes was determined.

You don't need to front load carbons to get them to shoot well unless you want a heavy arrow and shoot a stiffer shaft so you can load up the front for FOC.  I am curious what you had for an arrow and what you now have for spine, point weight, length, and bow draw weight.

[cedar swampman]

Well first of all after getting a consistent routine we were able to tune my bow to shoot where I naturally am looking. The tuning consisted of adjusting nocking point(raising) and using a thin leather pad against the riser(determined by where the arrow impacts) in my case I needed to move the arrow left. I came there with Gold Tipp 35/55 full length with a 100grn brass insert with 125grn head- 500+ grains. We made uo some full lenght traditional 35/55's with a regular aluminum inserts with an additional 10grn weight and a 125grn head. We did the KE calcutlations and made up a shaft that will give me maximum speed and penetration. These arrows weigh in at 429grn and fly like darts out of my 45lb Fedora Xtreme longbow.When you get solid in your form and let your bow arm come up naturally it is absolutely amazing watching that arrow go into the spot you are looking. Rick saying is "how far-who cares" and it is so freeing not to have to worry about distance and concentrate on good form and a subconscious release- absolute magic.Ricks school is no bull just results.

[cedar swampman]

Also the school is near Conway Arkansas.

[fantastixvoyage]

Cost or web link?  Need help lol!

[McDave]

This is Rick's website, where you can get the information you need:   Dakota Bows

[cedar swampman]

Thanks McDave!

[Jesse Peltan]

The reason you didn't need to front load was because you built out the strike plate. You could get the same point weight by dropping in shaft spine and taking the pad away. Glad you're shooting better.

[bayoulongbowman]

Congrats,!!!! marco

[cedar swampman]

Actually I removed the soft pad and put a thin leather one. No building out.

[xtrema312]

That would make sense.  If you drop point weight the dynamic spine goes up and if you build out it goes up also.  You would have had to have had a way weak arrow to need that.  Sounds like he lightened your arrow point, which made it stiffer then brought it back more to center to compensate.  

Did you convert to or were you shooting three under?  What anchor did he have you do?  How does he have you aim, or is he completely instinctive?

[cedar swampman]

My final arrow weight came out to 429grns optimum speed and KE. I am getting 170fps at my puny draw of 27". I have been working on 3 under for a couple of months. My anchor is first joint of drawing thumb hits just above my earlobe and second is fletching touching nose. It is really cool- I just look at the spot I want to hit and let the bow arm naturally come up to where it needs to be- go through the shot process subconscious release/follow through and amazingly arrow arrives in the spot. A great system but to have Rick tweek you and your bow/arrow combo is worth every penny. Best thing I have done for my shooting!

[xtrema312]

What is your feather alignment, cock in, out, or other?  Do you use shield cut?

How do you draw and how does the bow come up for draw?

What is the shot process?

[cedar swampman]

Xtreme best thing for those answers is go to Ricks website and he has some great instructional dvd's. #2 and #3 are real good.