A bale thought for Christmas

[moebow]

Happy Holidays everyone!!

For most of us, the hunting season is over and it is time for indoor leagues and form improvements.  I offer this as a suggestion if you are working on your form to carry over into next year.

Most know that bale work is the best way to improve your shot AND most also know how mind numbing bale work is.  I agree!!

When next doing bale work to improve your form and execution, try adding this to your practice session.  The idea of bale work is to perfect your execution and you end up breaking nocks, or even arrows when shooting at close range and even out to 20 yards.  So, when you get tired of that, try this:

Take 4 arrows.  Shoot one arrow into the bale using your best from and execution (F&E).  Then shoot a second arrow, again F&E.  Now you have 2 arrows in the bale and they will form a line.  Shoot your third arrow to make a triangle in any orientation.  The triangle may be equilateral, or really weird but a triangle.  Then, your last arrow is shot into the center of the triangle.  DO NOT use a mark on the bale for this; learn to shoot the triangle shape and then the last arrow into the center of the triangle.

Work on arrow position on the bale, NOT a specific spot!!  Shoot a triangle and then center the last arrow in the center of the triangle.

Learn to shoot for arrow position on the bale and NOT a specific spot.  Can you shoot an arrow to a chosen location on the bale then orient the rest of the arrow into a chosen geometric form?  IF using 5 arrows, can you shoot a square/rectangle and then put the last arrow into the center of the square/rectangle??

This type of exercise does good things for you, IMO.  It allows you to learn to shoot your arrows to a mentally chosen location without the use of a an aiming spot and gives you a place to try to place the last arrow AND you don't get the broken/damaged arrows of shooting groups; all while focusing on F&E.

So, Chose a location on the bale you want the arrow to go, use the position of that first arrow to choose a location for the second, use the orientation of the first two to "build" your geometric design and finally "center punch" your design.

Learn to shoot for position on the bale WHILE  working on your F&E.  You will challenge yourself, save arrows from damage and maybe refresh your mental attitude about bale work.

Arne

[Roy from Pa]

 

[bihunter]

That's a great idea. Thanks for posting.

[the rifleman]

Sounds like a great training exercise Arne.  Something to spend time on in the barn tomorrow.