Moving Targets

[BWallace10327]

I've been trying to learn to consistently hit a moving target with mixed results.  For now, my target of choice is a 9" rinehart target ball.  I'll roll it down a hill and shoot at it, or throw it up a hill and shoot as it "charges" back at me.  Sometimes I have terrain that allows the ball to the thrown at a 45 degree angle up a hill and I can shoot at it crossing in front of me.  I know I have to lead the target some, but how does this work when I need to pick a spot to focus on once I get to full draw? While I hit the ball sometimes the majority of my shots end up with the fletching grazing the far back edge of the ball. I'd appreciate any pointers.  Shooting movers is fun, it adds a new degree of challenge to shooting. 

[moebow]

For me, it's like shooting a shotgun.  I use my bow hand to "point" or "swing" on the target.  Yes, you need to focus on the smallest spot you can and track that with your bow hand.  One problem I see with many shooters though is that they tend to rush the shot and don't get their full draw alignment.  This is especially true if you are the one throwing or motivating the target. By "rushing, I don't mean not shooting fast but the shooter still must compete the draw and release like they are used too. There's more time available than many think.

Another error many make is that they stop the bow hand movement when the shot is released. This is a common cause of a miss with a shotgun too. The bow hand must continue to track the moving target all the way to arrow impact.  As Bob Wesley told me " Line, rhythm and follow through!" Allow or make your bow hand continue to track and point at the target after the shot.  Just like the old static target advice, keep the bow hand on target until arrow gets there.

Moving targets are a lot of fun and even more fun when hitting them.

Arne

[reddogge]

We are all different but on flying targets I don't look at the target at all but several feet in front of it as I swing and shoot. You learn by practice.

[BWallace10327]

Thanks for the replies.  I'm starting to get a feel for it the more I practice.  The follow through was my biggest fault, and still is.  My tendency is too stop my swing when I lock onto a spot and shoot.