metronome

[Jackpine Boyz]

Hi guys,
I have been doing a lot of form work lately and it is starting to show.  I felt I needed more of a rhythm to my shot rather than shooting in steps.
I pulled out my metronome app and started at 30bpm.  Really tightened up and smoothed out my shots sequence.
Also helped with my premature ejection of arrow by keeping my anchor to release more separated and defined the aiming component.  To shoot faster, or even snap shoot, just crank up the tempo.
Food for thought.

[moebow]

YEP!!!  Rod Jenkins said once that I vividly remember, "You shoot at the speed you draw."  Meaning that if you d;raw fast, release fast, or draw slow, release slow.  Keep a steady rhythm!!

Arne

[McDave]

I used an interval timer for a long time to develop my shot rhythm.  I used an app called Seconds Pro that works on my iPhone.  I particularly wanted to develop a consistent hold time, as I have had problems with target panic in the past which usually starts with rushing my shot.  All I wanted was a beep to nock an arrow and start my draw, and another beep to release the arrow.  A 10 second interval worked well for me, as it allowed me to nock an arrow, draw the bow, and hold for about 2 seconds before the next beep.

After some time, I discovered I could do the same thing with breathing, which makes the whole process more natural and avoids the minor hassle of using the iPhone app.  I start by taking in a fairly deep breath just before I draw the bow.  As I draw the bow, I exhale completely.  At full draw, I inhale slowly and hold my breath.  I don't start final aiming until I start holding my breath at full draw.  After releasing the arrow, I exhale and breathe again as a part of my followthrough.  Of course, I'm looking at the target throughout my draw, so when I start my final aiming I'm aligned with the target and at least pre-aimed, but my attention is mainly on my shot process and not concentrated on the target until I start holding my breath.

I've always heard that focusing on breathing is the best way to clear the mind of extraneous thoughts and concentrate, and I believe this really does work when I make breathing an integral part of my shot process.  Fortunately, the timing works out about the same as my interval timer.

A strength building exercise I do is to hold the bow at full draw, both left and right handed, for an extended period of time before releasing the arrow.  I used to do this by setting my interval timer on 20 seconds.  I have found that three breaths approximately equals this hold time, holding my breath after the third inhale and firing the arrow normally.  I do this close to the target and focus totally on form.  Of course, it's pretty hard to hit anything after holding for 20 seconds anyway!

[Jackpine Boyz]

Mc Dave.  I have focused on breathing with my draw but not as a cadence.  Good idea, I was worried my metronome would scary the deer away this fall before I got my shot off.    
Thanks for the observation.