need beginner's tips

[Whitehawk23]

Hey yall
I'm new to archery, shot a bow for the first time a couple of days ago after I built my first bow. I'm just having trouble with consistency. I can shoot a mountain dew can 4 times out of 10 then miss it another 40. Any tips or videos would be awesome. I guess I'm an "instinctive" shooter if that helps. thanks

[moebow]

Whitehawk,  GADS!! slow down.  A couple days??  First learn the mechanics of the shot. Second, don't shoot to hit anything in the beginning.  Just learn to shoot! And frankly it won't matter what aiming method  you THINK you are using (instinctive, gap, whatever) after a couple days your shooting form won't allow effective aiming for all intents and purposes.

Checkout videos, books and this forum at length to get tips and ideas about shooting.  Shoot often and regularly for a couple MONTHS then come back with your question.  By shooting at a blank bale (NO TARGET) to catch your arrows, you will start to find that your arrows are grouping.

Once you develop groups ( at short range) then move back and work to get groups again. Short range = 5 or less yards, move back in 2 yard increments. Really not trying to discourage you, actually this will get you to where you want to be FASTER than any other method.

Learning to shoot the bow is not a "couple days" event.  Patience grasshopper, keep it fun.

Arne

[Whitehawk23]

Arne, thanks for the advice I've watched countless videos and read a zillion articles. I am a little impatient though I will admit lol. but I just got a haybell the other day skull go out and try that. thank you

[Stump73]

Whitehawk, what part of Ky are you from?

[Whitehawk23]

So what about proper stance or anything that a super beginner needs to know. I don't wanna become the beat in the world just good enough to put some meat on the table

[Ed Q]

Hi Whitehawk23:

Check out Moebow's free videos on youtube.  He gives some great examples on how to shoot with proper form.  Also, check out the "Masters of the Barebow" 4-volume DVD series.  They give great tips on how to shoot with proper form and how to practice.  3Riversarchery.com sells them.

I started shooting trad a few years ago, and the two things I wish I would've done differently when learning were to shoot a lighter pound bow and practice more on form, and not shooting at targets at so much.  I started with a 45 lb bow, which many say is lightweight.  But I wish I would've started with a 35 lb bow.

I also had never heard of "blank bale" shooting when I started.  Blank bale shooting is where you stand in front of a large target at very close range - 3 yards or so with 5 yards being the max.  With blank bale, you're not necessarily shooting at a target.  You're just practicing your shooting form.  The large target itself is acting more as a catcher's mitt and not something you're aiming at.  It's just there more as a backstop and to allow you to retrieve your arrow easily.

Lastly and more importantly, if you can find an archery coach nearby and have the money, I'd go that route first.  There's an archery coach about 1.5 hrs from me whom I intend to take classes from one Saturday when I get a chance.  I think that would be the best way to ensure proper form and to then follow up with the drills your coach prescribes for you.

Good luck and welcome to trad!

[BigJ1632]

I recently purchased and read "Shooting the Stickbow."  IMO, there was a lot of good tips in the book that are also echoed here on the forum from what I've read.  I've been shooting trad ever since I can remember (recurves until just recently switching to longbow) and it was a nice read to reinforce good habits and weed out the bad.  Just my two cents...

[njloco]

Do yourself a big favor, do some blank bale shooting ( do a search ) for a few weeks and get the form down ( like riding a bike ) meaning, teach your body what the mind wants it to do without having to try and concentrate on it and on a target and try to make the mind and body multi task ( which humans can't do )  this way you are less likely to pick up bad habits ( hard to get rid of ). Once you get this down, you'll be able to pick up any bow and hit the can almost 100% of the time.

Good luck !

P.S. Moe's youtube videos and instruction here are the best !

[NBK]

The best, most honest advice I can give you is to re-read Moebow's first post and do exactly as it says.  (Unfortunately speaking from experience) you will get where you want to be MUCH faster if you start right and don't develop bad habits which you'll struggle to overcome later.
Remeber Miyagi tellin the Karate Kid to go paint the fence?  Go hit the blank bale.    

[Whitehawk23]

Thanks guys for the advice today I actually JUST started that today just for practice. but ill do that search to find proper form. I gotta get my hand on more arrows cause only one its hard to see my grouping

[Whitehawk23]

After looking up what blank bale shooting is I dont know if its exactly what I need for the simple fact I don't know what correct for "feels" like so I don't want to develop bad habbits early. does that make since or am I over thinking

[gringol]

Check out the "form clock" thread.  Alignment is probably the most important thing, and that'll get you started.  A mirror might help there.  Back-tension is next, and moebow's vids will help with that.  A very light bow helps a lot...