A Big Thanks To Rod Jenkins

[Scott Teaschner]

A Big Thanks To Rod Jenkins

I posted this in the shooters forum. I thought those who dont frequent it still might like to read this.

I would like to take the time to talk about my experience with taking a Rod Jenkins clinic. First and foremost I just want to say and I am sure I am speaking for the majority it is the single most important investment I made in shooting a bow period. The tools Rod gave us and the program which to follow put me on a straight forward path to success. Although to some it may seem hard to make the changes and the transition a long time I feel it was worth it. I will give you a little bit of an idea of what it was like.

I really had no idea of what the clinic would be like. The ideas of what I thought it would be and what it was were two different things. The first day is a lot of information and we all got to shoot a few arrows and that was enough. It feels very awkward on the first day but the following day you can see guys becoming more comfortable. Rod has a great way of explaining things and making people feel comfortable. He is not about what equipment to use or aiming method it’s about form and shooting a bow properly. Although I did ask questions on equipment and learned a lot. One little example of that is now instead of picking up a bow and saying oh I like how this grip feels I actually know what makes a good grip. I also know how to grip the bow the same each and every time with accurate hand placement. To some this may seem unimportant but what a lesson for me.


My friend Blake Smith really benefited from Rods clinic. Blake is a great shot and is always a top shooter at a 3D shoot and a great game shot. But Blake had suffered target panic for years and shoot exclusively with a clicker. I talked Blake in to taking the clinic. I was worried Blake would take it but be closed minded because he was so sure he could not be cured. After talking with him he said he was skeptical but he would come in with an open mind ready to learn. Through the clinic and breaking down the shot sequence Blake had learned that he was so focused on the aiming that his subconscious was telling him to release. Basically his mind was saying you got everything in line you need to take this shot before he could hit anchor and then follow through with expansion. Once Blake learned the aiming part was the sixth step and he had a solid shot sequence his problem has all but vanished. I talked to him last week and he said he does not even think of target panic and his clicker is in the garbage. The only thing I regret about this is it may be hard for me to beat Blake! Folks he accomplished this in about a month and a half.

Next we have Ernie McKenzie. I love to give Ernie a hard time. One because he can take it with a smile and give it back he is a great sport. But the thing I like to get on Ernie about is he is just plain cheap. I mean you had to hear how copper wire was invented two McKenzie’s fighting over a penny that kind of cheap. So any way I contact Ernie up in Billing’s Montana when I was trying to get the clinic rolling. Guess what his first question was you guessed it how much. Well I tell him and he says no I am shooting fine besides I got couched for free by Rod because I sent him videos for critiquing. So I kind of picked on him and shamed him in to coming. I think Ernie and I were in the same boat good shots but we could get in to a period when we were not too happy with our shooting and not really know why. Well I think Ernie will tell you what he thought he was doing to be correct and what he learned with the one on one with Rod to be very beneficial. Now I have another guy to contend with at the shoots what was I thinking?

The two days spent with Rod is basically him getting seven steps down so when he leaves you can practice these steps correctly. You learn proper back tension with the aid of a form master. He will not let you get by without knowing how to do each step correctly. Here are the seven steps I won’t get in to them deeply just going to name them off.
1.)   Stance
2.)   Bow hand
3.)   String hand
4.)   Anchors/calibration
5.)   Commitment
6.)   Aiming/Expansion
7.)   Conclusion
For three weeks you shoot 10 arrows in each step at point blank on the bail. This probably is the single most important part because it allows you to focus on each part of the shot sequence one at a time. By the end of the three weeks it starts to become burned in to the subconscious. If done correctly bad habits seem to fade away.

After the three weeks of drills you start the bridge program. This is where you start backing up in five yard increments from the target. Your job is to execute 40 perfect shots. You are just impacting the target and not stressing over hitting perfectly. This is done as all steps one arrow at a time. If at all you break down and shoot a less than perfect shot its back to the blind bale to work on the cause of the less than! Once you shoot 40 perfect shots you move back another 5 yards till you hit 20 yards. This provides the needed repetition to totally grove your shot sequence and you should now have a 100% faith in your new shot sequence.

I feel I made these changes with very little difficulty. I was honest with myself and practiced every day. I even changed from split fingers to 3 under without a problem once I started backing up I was shooting low but quickly adjusted. I really like 3 under and the benefits of it. This was my choice to do and was not pushed on me. I feel I have so much more control over my shooting. I do not collapse like I used to at times. I also gained about two inches in draw length and shoot a full length arrow. I am shooting great and feel very strong in my shot. I have been practicing out to 30 yards very consistently with a 30 pound bow. I had to use 30 pounds due to shoulder surgery but I feel it was to my benefit. Those light limbs really let me focus on my form and really help with a good release through expansion. I just jumped up in limb weight with no problem. I am shooting 45 pounds and a 540 grain arrow at 163 fps. With my increased draw length this is the same weight arrow I was shooting out of my 52 pound bow at the same speed. To me that is so cool to be able to drop down and still maintain that. I would never be able to handle the 52 pounds this year and I have to sacrifice nothing.

Rod stayed with me while on his trip. He had a clinic in Oregon and flew directly to Cody. He spent about a week and we had a great time. He was a little worried he was going to get me divorced but I assured him I pretty much had that part covered on my own. We screwed around in my shop and worked on Rod’s new finger tab and ironed out the sizes. We mostly did a whole bunch of nothing which was fun. Checking out gun shops and driving around checking things out. It was a good time and I really got to know Rod and I consider him a good friend. One thing about Rod if you have questions he will tell you to call and he will help you. I find that to be a very nice of him.
 
Rod is concerned with helping people become better shooters. Bowhunter or 3D shooter you will benefit from his knowledge. His love for archery and coaching people is very evident. For about the same price as a dozen fletched arrows with broadheads you can attend one of Rod’s clinics. But long after those arrows are broken and lost you will still be enjoying the benefits of investing in yourself. Rod will be coming back to Cody Wyoming next year we are thinking Memorial Day weekend so let me know and I will put you on the list if your interested.

Thanks again Rod you have no idea how happy I am!
Good Luck and Good Hunting.
Scott Teaschner

[Jacko]

Thanks for the post Scott, I live a little far away to attend one of Rods coaching clinics but he did make a trip to Australia a few years back and from all reports it was very well received. I do not know if he has been given the opportunity to come back

I will have a good look at the programme you have posted, see how it compares to my own practice habits  which are based on lessons from my FITA days and the MOTB Series and make adaptations as required

regards Jacko

[Pat B.]

He's a pretty good ole boy Scott...

[Steve O]

Yep, Rod is good as gold.

Do "we" have those tabs for sale yet?

[swampdrummer]

Agree 100% Scott! Rod is top shelf. I've hosted 2 clinics myself with Rod in the last few years and hope to do it again next year.
The clinic is great and IF one follows through with the blink bale and the bridge it WILL work to ones benefit.
I'm 3 for 3 this year on deer and I can thank Rod's clinic, and my decision to stick with the program after, for that.

Also interested in hearing more about the new tab!

[snakebit40]

Thanks for sharing Scott. I'm really wanting to go to one of his clinics after hunting season.    

[Elkchaser]

Great report Scott!    
Maybe next year I'll be able to make it. I'll stay in touch.

[Ben Maher]

Rod's clinic is top notch .
Just this weekend I went stumping and rabbiting with one of his Aussie clinic attendees ... a fella who had TP so bad that he barely drew 22 inches ...

it was great to see Ned fling his arrows this weekend ... drawing his arrows back to his true 29 1/2" draw .. hold at anchor .. let down if need be .
He is now truly enjoying his archery ... is truly confident that he is going to hit what he aims at ... and is looking forward to our next deer hunt ... something he declined previously purely because of target panic riddled lack of confidence ... it is like two totally different archers ...
Ned and I are now tackling FITA field and maybe some IFAA ... but more importantly .. archery is not a chore for him .. and when he draws on that deer on our next trip , I expect that we'll be packing out some meat !!!!

Good report Scott

Jacko ... pity you couldn't get down for it . Maybe next time eh !

[Don Batten]

I've had the good fortune to be around Rod a few times. As Woodrow Caul would say  " I got no Complaints".

[Green]

Just returned home from his clinic here in Texas.  Rod's one of those "instant friend" kind of guys.

As for the clinic.....it's worth far more than the cost.  If you're serious about being the best you can be in both your form and the mental side of shooting....Rod's clinic will be two of the best spent days you'll ever have.