Consistency Woes

[Rossco7002]

Well, I gotta say I'm getting pretty down with my shooting lately. I've had my longbow for a little under a year and (barring a 3 month lay off during the winter) I shoot every day. The problem is it isn't causing me to get any better. I'll have one day where I'm doing really well and progressing and then several days where I can't hit anything. As in 'wouldn't take a 10 yard shot on a deer' anything.

I'd love to shoot competitions or even shoot with someone else that knows what they are doing with trad gear even but all I'm really after is being able to make a confident, ethical hunting shot at 15 yards or under.

Is that too much to ask when I've got the dedication to train everyday? How long did it take guys here to master a short yardage shot like that?

Sorry to sound pessimistic, maybe I'm expecting too much but without anyone else to shoot with I don't really know how realistic my expectations are.

Anyway, the bare facts are: I shoot a 50lbs@26inch Toelke Whip and I'm currently using the technique Rick Welch advocates in The Accuracy Factory. I can't afford his course so it's the best coaching I've got. I'm a pretty strong guy and can shoot for extended period with this draw weight. I do struggle to hold at anchor and steady myself before the shot goes off, I think this is a muscle memory issue but may be target panic.

Any encouraging words or advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Ross

[Mitch-In-NJ]

I would suggest you video yourself and post it here.  What you think you are doing and what you are actually doing is almost never the same thing.

Seeing it on video makes finding the problems much easier.

Check the form video threads on here and you'll see what kind of camera angles to use.

[cbCrow]

Just hang in there Rossco, this can be fixed. By all means if able send a vid in, but in the mean time, when you say you struggle at anchor I have to think your overbowed. We need to know some more; how long do you hold anchor,can you hold it to the count of 3, where are you looking while struggling, alot of things come into play. I know its intimindating but hang in there!

[NBK]

I hear ya Ross.  It's like golf in that it's not about making a great shot, it's about making consistent shots.  Above advice is sound and best thing is to relax because we all have days where we couldn't hit water standing in a lake!  (Well at least I still do.)  My advice from experience is to start again at the blind bale about 3 feet away and work on consistent anchoring with holding, without picking a spot on the target.  When you can consistently hold an anchor and get a good release, i.e. not collapsing after the hold, then pick a spot which is usually another arrow hole at that distance.  Hammer that one spot and when you can, step back one step, hammer it, then step back again so on and so forth.  You'll be surprised at how quickly you get back to 10-15 yards.  And lastly, don't shoot every single day.  Try to, but if you are having an off day, relax, do something else and you'll again be surprised at your shooting when you come back to it.  You're only going to frustrate yourself by trying to "force" better shooting.

[Rossco7002]

I can physically hold at anchor for a 3 count - ti's when I have my target in front of my that I release too quickly. It's like I see my spot, feel everything come into line and rather than just holding at that point my arrow is gone without any concious thought. Sometimes it hits good, other times not.

Mike, Thanks for the encouragement. I hear what you're saying with regards to walking away when it's not going well but I'm WAY too stubborn I guess. If I'm having a great day I savor it for an hour and finish on a high note. If I'm shooting bad I could be shooting indefinately.....

[cbCrow]

The advise that Mike put forth is where you should head. You may have target panic and that is the best place to get rid of it. I myself shoot at least 9 arrows every time I shot at a blank bag just for the discipline of it and to remind myself of the importance of coming to full draw before releasing. Take each practice(I shoot 30-40 arrows 5x/week) and divide it.First part is blank bag(bale)10-12 arrows, second as your target use a 6"x6" piece of cardboard with a 1" dot in center for your next set of arrows (10-12)at 5-7yds. third move back to say 20yds and shoot at that same target2 shoots than move randomly(6,18,7,15,so forth) for 8-10 more shots. Remember come to full draw at each shot so take your time and concentrate, get your head into it. This helped me greatly and has improved my shooting by 30%. I can place 4 arrows into that target consistantly from 8-22yds.If I can you can.

[10point]

Rossco, sounds like you have target panic. This may sound crazy but here is what worked for me ( and several others on this site ) . When you draw your bow, point your arrow a couple feet to the right ( or left )of your target ,,, so there is no urge to release because you are not even close to your target. . Set your elevation and then move the arrow point to your target,,, hold for a second and release. Again, sounds crazy but try it at least.

[Rossco7002]

This is interesting. I got a cheap 'form bow' in the mail today, it draws about 40lbs at my draw length and is no strain to hold at all. I noticed as soon as I had it set up and started shooting I had to really fight the urge to release as I came onto target. The urge was easier to beat though because of the reduced draw weight - after that I moved back to my longbow (10lbs heavier) and found I could hold on target and settle myself. After a few shots i started to speed up so went back to the form bow, got control of my release again and then switched back to the heavier longbow as needed.

I also got my wife to shoot some pictures of me and noticed that I'm not always getting my rear elbow in line with the arrow, this is now something I can conciously do.

[pickaspot]

Rossco,
I went through a little period like that and found that shooting a lot less quantity and focusing more on quality really helped me. Every session would start up close with my eyes closed - intense focus on technique & follow through. When everything felt right, I would step back and shoot a few arrows (no groups - different dots). Occasionally, I would throw in a draw - hold - let down with no shot.

That approach helped me get over a little bout of target panic.

Good luck,
J

[Fritz]

Lots of good info above. I would throw in the use of a clicker. Do a search and you will find tons of info.

[cjw]

Hey Ross - I was in the same boat as you having shooting a longbow for only a year now (after a 20 year break) and not having the advantage of formal help so I started picking my form apart piece by piece to gain consistency in each step based on the guys here, DVD and a great book by Cameron "Shooting the Stick Bow".  I used to pluck, played with dead release and then following through and touching the shoulder; consistent anchor, grip on the bow, keeping on target after release.  From the past year for me the critical piece was actually focus on the target.  So I am now moving from gap shooting to instinctive, after reviewing GFA's DVD and working on his recommendations my consistency is even higher.  

And yes it is real frustrating!!

Carl ;-)

[Rossco7002]

Hey Carl,

Seems like I might have this problem licked (hopefully I'm not premature in saying that)!!!

Camera's book was a fantastic aid to me and Tony even exchanged numerous emails to help with my form. Good guy.

I found the GFA DVD caused a bit of target panic for me, as a career soldier and cop I need that steady sight picture before I let loose but for others it obviously works.

PS - Nice to hear from another Ontarian here!

[cjw]

Hey Ross!
I found the trick in the instinctive piece is focus first and then the fluidity of the raise, draw, anchor, release.  The initial focus piece is critical, I find without it I miss the woods behind the target!! I am fortunate in using my years of martial arts and now that I'm old and decrepit, yoga training for the focus and fluidity.

So whereabouts you from?

[cjw]

Hey Ross!
I found the trick in the instinctive piece is focus first and then the fluidity of the raise, draw, anchor, release.  The initial focus piece is critical, I find without it I miss the woods behind the target!! I am fortunate in using my years of martial arts and now that I'm old and decrepit, yoga training for the focus and fluidity.

So whereabouts you from?

[Rossco7002]

I'm living in Stittsville so not too far from Osgoode at all. I been hunting Marlborough Forest for two years now, found a lot of does but bucks are few and far between. You?

[Ragnarok Forge]

Buy the book Instinctive Archery Insights and give it a couple of read thru's.  I found it cheap on fleabay.  It explains the mental aspect of the game. Target panic is totally mental.  It has a chapter on the one known method for curing target panic.  Shop around and find a cheap copy.  I think it will help you a lot.

By they way it is written by a doctorate / licensed phsychologist so he understands what is behind and how to change your mental archery game.