Blind Bale Shooting

[Matt Fowler]

I haven't shot blind bale for some time. I was shooting last night and realized how much I like to do it and how much it helps. Anyway, I was shooting from about 6 yds and all my arrows were 6 - 8 inches low. I was wondering if I was dropping my bow arm with my eyes closed and if this might develop into a problem. When I would try to bring them up I shot way high. I really want to continue to shoot blind bale as a regular part of my practice. What do you think?

[moebow]

Matt,

Video your self and look at your bow arm to spine angle at full draw. You need to keep it at or as close to 90 degrees as possible.  When you are shooting "blind" bale is is easy to allow that arm to drop a little which could be causing the low hits.

Again, when shooting "blind" bale you DON'T CARE where your arrows hit.  So saying that you are "hitting low" is a little puzzling.  "Low" as compared to WHAT??

Arne

[Matt Fowler]

Arne,
Low as compared to the spot I was concentrating on when I close my eyes, center of target, no bulls eye. I don't really care where I hit but they are consistently low.

[moebow]

Try this.  Put your arrows (2 or 3) in a ground quiver or somewhere you can grab them one at a time WITHOUT looking.  Now, take your stance and get your alignments and then CLOSE your eyes.  Shoot your 2 or 3 arrows NEVER opening your eyes.  Now what do your groups look like?  Look at the GROUPS, NOT where they are.  At 5 or 6 feet, IF you are repeating your form the arrows will (or should) start clanking together.

Many that blind bale don't trust the entire shot sequence and start with the arrow nocked, bow raised, eyes on target and only then close their eyes, draw and shoot.  This can be effective BUT you are loosing out on a lot of benefit.  Try the entire sequence with eyes closed and see what you get.

Arne

[Matt Fowler]

Well, I tried your suggestion. I may need a bigger target butt:) I don't like doing the entire shot with my eyes closed. That might take some work. I did move up closer and shot a few close groups, even shot a nock. Still a lot lower than I would like.

[moebow]

Matt,

I understand your concern but will say this.  Blank bale and blind bale are "form" exercises and by definition are NOT aiming exercises.  Your high/low/left/right  arrow placements are aiming issues.  If you are consistently repeating your form, your arrows will be in close groups (somewhere on the target butt).  Your perception of "low" could be caused by any number of things (dropping the bow arm, collapsing release, etc.)  Video would tell you what for sure.

These exercises are for developing form and eliminate the "aiming" step so where they (the arrows) hit is unimportant.  Once the form is consistent THEN the "aiming step" is reintroduced which will (or should) start placing the arrows where you want them.

I think you are unnecessarily complicating your effort by worrying about where your arrows are hitting during this exercise.  It kind of amounts to the right tool for the job.  The tool you are using is for form, not basic accuracy.

Don't know how else to explain it.

Arne

[Matt Fowler]

Well I'll keep at it. Thanks for the input.