Check points for form and release

[Tav]

This is my first post.  Happy to be shooting traditional finally.  I shot a compound instinctively for several years.  When shooting a rifle I use the Breathe-Relax-Aim-Sightpicture-Squeeze process for each shot.  When I played baseball I had a series of things I said to myself before every pitch to enable physical and mental consistency at the plate.  Is there anything similar for shooting traditional?  I am finding that one time I am focusing on back tension, the next my anchor, and I never really remember if I got everything covered before the release and then cannot diagnose why I missed.  I am trying to think of 90 things and just want to simplify.  Any thoughts?

[McDave]

The blank bale drills by Rod Jenkins in the DVD Masters of the Bare Bow III should give you exactly what you are looking for.

The reason you can't diagnose why you missed is because there are probably multiple reasons, some of which you aren't aware of.  As you progress, and develop your form, you will get to the point that when you miss, you will know that you missed for some particular reason, and it is rewarding in itself to be able to correct something and have the next shot hit your mark.  But that doesn't come overnight, or easily.

In the mean time, there is no reason you can't just enjoy your shooting, and appreciate the occasional great shots you will make.

[Wapiti Bowman]

McD Said:

 

The blank bale drills by Rod Jenkins in the DVD Masters of the Bare Bow III should give you exactly what you are looking for.

Additionally, if you use the 'search' option here on the shooter's forum, you'll be directed to some 'how to' discussions on using the blank/blind bale.

But I'm a bit confused.  If you shot compounds instinctively for some time, with just a couple of differences, shooting a trad bow would entail the same form/skills. There's the holding wt difference and your draw length must be precisely the same every shot, as there is no 'valley' providing not only a bit of lee way on draw length, but a definite signal that you're at full draw. And, of course, most stick bow shooters shoot off the shelf rather than off an arrow rest.

Check out the 'blank/blind bale exercises as McD suggested, as well as the discussions on the forum, and see if that doesn't get you started in the right direction.

Congrats on taking off the training wheels! I've been there and done That!  

[BobCo 1965]

When practicing, it gets tough if you try to think of all of the little details at once. My advice would be to try to break your shot down into sections and then build the shot up in steps. Once you are past a certain step (maybe posture for example), forget about it and move on.

Once you get in a rhythm things will get better - almost automatic, but like someone mentioned, it takes a while.

As far a mental training, it is good to clear your head of any irrelevant thoughts and give yourself some type of positive reinforcement (a deep diaphragmatic breath is also good). Some people also like to think of an important aspect of the shot sequence that they need to do correctly in order to complete the shot and visualize it being done correctly. Another method includes visualizing where a person wants to be in archery once they have completed their goals. This is not where they are in reality, but where they would like to be.

IMO, archery is about 50-70% mental after the basics are learned.

[njloco]

Like the other guys have said, blank bale shooting. Also, don't forget Terry's Form a Clock, both helped me a lot.

[S.C. Hunter]

It takes a lot of practice but good solid form practice. Shooting 100 bad arrows is never as good as shooting 10 perfect arrows. Some of my best practice is shooting close bale work and blind bale. If you find yourself unable to focus because of to many thoughts take a practice session and focus only on anchor, or only back tension. When doing this shoot very close so all of your focus can be on your objective at hand. Don't worry about groups at this distance you will be slapping arrows anyway. Good luck and expect some bumps along the way. It happens no matter how long you shoot.

[Jim Wright]

There is some danger in becoming fixated on "having everything covered" concerning form during a shot in order to diagnose the cause of misses. I believe the previous replies suggesting "blind bale" shooting is good advice but limit these sessions to form and form only. If you try to be too mechanical with step by step form while shooting targets or game it is possible to use up too much of the concentration we are able to put into that one shot. The result can be a beautiful shot from a form stand point without enough concentration "on the spot" to succesfully hit it.