Oh man! I just got back from my first time on the 3D course since attending Rod’s class at the Flint Bowmen at the end of April. Pretty pumped!
So I left the class having a real tough time actually feeling back tension properly. I could fake my form into looking a lot like what I'd seen in videos, books, etc. but Rod was able to see that I was creeping forward at full draw and not pulling with my back to conclusion. I was mostly just cheating to full draw by using my drawing arm. I really struggled to draw the bow with my back muscles. So much so that Rod told me to spend an extra week on the “string bow” and Formaster. I think he said something to the effect of, “Boy, you’re hard-headed!” Not easy to undo 20 years of bad habits I guess!
I did my drills for 21 days and stayed off the targets pretty well. Did my bridge program and was able to get 5,10,15, and 20 done with 40 straight on each that seemed perfect to me. Now if I were to start over on the bridge I’m sure it would take me a lot longer as my standards for a perfect shot are much higher now. I still have a LONG way to go.
I've been shooting targets in the yard a little with quite a few “less thans”(meaning less than perfect). After a “less than”, I’ve been heading right back to 2-3 yards from the target to work on the cause, usually a lapse in back tension. I’d been shooting decent but I’m still not as consistent as I want to be. Just like Rod says, my shot from 20 yards while aiming is often not the same shot I execute on the blind bail at 2 yards.
My oldest boy’s soccer practices are finally over and tonight I was able to hit our local Thursday night shoot. For the first few targets I had almost all “less thans” with poor back-tension but I was still putting the arrow in the vitals pretty well. After 4-5 targets I gained some confidence and was amazed at the control I had over my shots! Last summer I had all kinds of trouble trying to “burn a hole” on a spot and could never decide on the right pace to draw the bow. Really screwed with my concentration. Tonight I pulled the string right back to anchor and kept thinking “Pull, Pull, Pull” like Rod preaches. I also remembered to “shoot them as hard as you can”, meaning to keep pulling hard at anchor.
The last 10 targets of the round were a blast! I really had no anxiety over blowing the shot and having to chase down an arrow. There was no doubt in my mind where my arrows were going. I was a long way from perfect but my bad shots were simply lapses in form that I know how to fix with more practice. Rod provided the tools to troubleshoot bad shots. A huge help! I spend countless hours in my yard shooting bow year round. Now I have some structure to my practice. Like they say “Perfect practice makes perfect.”
Lot’s more work to do this summer but tonight was some much needed validation that I’m on the right track.
Thanks again Rod!
Mick Parks
Topic: Thank You Rod Jenkins! (Read 281 times)
