Asbell

[Marc B.]

20 some years ago when I decided to bowhunt seriously I got Fred's first book and used it to learn to shoot a recurve accurately. I've developed my own style over the years and most do. Fred's book was a valuable tool to get me going in traditional archery.

[PERUN]

There is no need to be nervous,
the man wrote that nothing is understood that there is no progress! so I suggested something that might help, I got the impression he wanted to help.
 I apologize to everyone, because I'm the first to mention another style shooting.
But I do not understand what a man should do?
 In the next year trying to learn a style that does not fit?
 Which may not suit the majority?

You need to explore more options and to find your way!

[Wary Buck]

As a coach, when I go to a coaching clinic, I borrow from the presenters what seems to work for me, and disregard the rest.  

I wonder if the same doesn't apply here.  Read/watch from those willing to share what's worked for them, and see if some of it can work for you.  If you pick up one single good thing, the $20 or whatever spent was well worth it.

When I first went trad in '88, Instinctive Shooting by Asbell was a great help.  Do I use everything as he prescribed?  No.  But he certainly got me on the right track to finding my own best way of shooting.  Plus the story about "Old Green" (his hunting rig) is worth the price of admission by itself.  

[Terry Green]

Scattergun....how long have you been shooting since receiving his book?...the reason I ask is you said you were 'reading' it...meaning you haven't finished it.

[Terry Lightle]

Well said Roger!

[siwash]

I watch a major league baseball team's 9 excellent batters- each hitter has a different form that conforms to his individuality; can't this concept be applicable to archers?

[John146]

Someone wrote about how Fred's book got him thinking about the "process" of shooting and that gets a big amen from me. I struggled so much at first because I didn't "get" the process. His books helped me a lot. I went to a Black Widow Clinic that Fred conducted and my shooting went up another notch because of a better understanding AND Ken Beck taught some things about arrow's and tuning that improved my accuracy as well. Recently I saw Terry's "form clock". I had my wife stand over me on some steps while I knelt to shoot and she would tell me when I was lined up right according to the form clock. It was amazing how tight my groups got. Traditional archery is such an awesome journey of learning and you never know when the next piece gets put in place!! Never stop learning - never stop asking why?

[Terry Green]

John....I'm glad the clock worked for you.....I can't tell you how many folks have posted and emailed me the same.  That was the soul purpose of posting that info...... great..... stay after it!

   

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Well Roger thanks....I'm sorry if it seemed a little harsh....but is get so old when folks argue over style vs form.  Good for is good form....and style is style...and way too often the two get miss construed.

Folks can go to the archives and look at HH's style (similar to Asbell)....then come back and argue Howard's style....only AFTER you proved you killed more critters than he did.

Not harsh at all....style vs form is an awesome point, almost ALWAYS overlooked in these debates. And frankly, style means nothing without form.

[Scattergun2570]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Scattergun....how long have you been shooting since receiving his book?...the reason I ask is you said you were 'reading' it...meaning you haven't finished it.

I read it,,now I am in the process or re-reading it.

[Roger Norris]

Hey Scattergun....with books like that, I re-read them several times. I will keep them on the nightstand, and after an evening shooting session go back and read what I did right vs wrong.

Don't let anyone fool you....lots of guys on here have shot a bow just about all of our lives, and we still make bad shots, have bad days.....keep at it.

[Marc B.]

Originally posted by Roger Norris:

Don't let anyone fool you....lots of guys on here have shot a bow just about all of our lives, and we still make bad shots, have bad days.....keep at it.

Very True!!

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by siwash:
I watch a major league baseball team's 9 excellent batters- each hitter has a different form that conforms to his individuality;

Again...most have the same form.....but a different STYLE.  

 ALL major league hitters have batting coaches to make sure their form is correct.

 Some are just more gifted with hand eye coordination and make contact more based on that.

Once again.....don't confuse form with STYLE.    

[Terry Green]

Scatter....you missed the main question....how long have you been shooting a trad bow?

Don't be embarrassed to tell the truth....we want to help you...no mater what style you need for your make up.

Also....Asbell's method is a method of timing which he has profected.  This make take longer for you IF this is the style for you.

When I started out....I did the same thing you did, watched Asbell....and Ron LaClair saw me shoot at his place not long after.....

[Terry Green]

Every so often I'd have an arrow bail out 5 yards from the target and hit 6 inches low....Ron told me I had an issue with timing...other than that I was shooting real well with good form and accuracy.  I had not been at it long...

He told me to pre-point with the arrow just a bit low and swing draw from there instead of the waist....and the timing came together almost immediately....now I can pre point or swing from the waist or the ground if need be.....but that pre-point got my timing set....and that's how I shoot normally unless the situation dictates a true swing from the waist.

[Roger Norris]

Terry - Ron told me about you stopping by years ago. He said you were a dang good shooter.

I have been lucky enough to shoot a round of 3D (a couple times) with both Ron and Fred. Think I was nervous? And I'm not saying who won.....  

[Terry Green]

Roger...if I remember correctly that was the missing link in my shooting.....once I got that pre point down, I could also swing as I had the timing nailed.  Many thanks to Mr Ron for that little advice that made a huge difference.  That timing and then I incorporated a double anchor, own my own, to ensure I never lost that timing which also guaranteed proper alignment and proper back tension.

I was off to the races...

[Skates]

From these Videos - I'd say it certainly did work out.  I never get tired of watching these two.

  Back Yard  

   Various Angles

[Scattergun2570]

Originally posted by Roger Norris:
Hey Scattergun....with books like that, I re-read them several times. I will keep them on the nightstand, and after an evening shooting session go back and read what I did right vs wrong.

Don't let anyone fool you....lots of guys on here have shot a bow just about all of our lives, and we still make bad shots, have bad days.....keep at it.

I always read books more than once. I was not saying it can`t work,or does not work..  I am just having trouble grasping it.

[Scattergun2570]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Scatter....you missed the main question....how long have you been shooting a trad bow?

Don't be embarrassed to tell the truth....we want to help you...no mater what style you need for your make up.

Also....Asbell's method is a method of timing which he has profected.  This make take longer for you IF this is the style for you.

When I started out....I did the same thing you did, watched Asbell....and Ron LaClair saw me shoot at his place not long after.....

Not long,,less than 2 years.