Practice

[4D]

I am starting my 3rd year , shoot instinctive recurve and love this sport . Still not sure how much and how long one should practice, can you over do it ? Curious how many days a week and hours a day shooters like Terry Green and others of that caliber shoot to stay on top of their game , and thier routine ? Thanks .

[KyStickbow]

When its warm out I shoot everyday....at least 5-6 good arrows if nothing else. But now that hunting seasons r coming to a close and its freezing cold out I proly only shoot a couple times a week.

[calgarychef]

Each session shoot until you get good then stop.  Stopping while you're shooting good will really increase your confidence and if you continue to shoot after that point you're shooting will degrade and you'll develop bad habits.

[Pat B]

I used to shoot 50 to 100 arrows a day. Once I got my muscle memory and brain functions just right I reduced that to a dozen or so good shots a day. If I start screwing up, I put the bow down and come back later.
 During hunting season I shoot one arrow a day, either in the morning or evening, sometimes both but only one arrow each time.

I shoot nearly every day. Some days it is 50 arrows, some days 200.

And yes, you can overdo it! If you find yourself getting tired and sloppy, it is time to rest a while or put it up for the day.

Perfect practice is what you are after. Practicing bad form only instill bad form!

Bisch

[goingoldskool]

X2 on what Bisch said... I shoot long enough to get the warm fuzzy of nearly all shots where i want them..... no matter how many arrows. It might be as few as half dozen or 6 dozen! Always leave on a good shot. As soon as it quits being fun... you went too long!

Good luck and God bless,

Rodd

[nineworlds9]

^---------what they said.  Confidence is such a huge part of this type of shooting/ hunting.

[njloco]

Once you have your form down, and you can problem solve your bad shots and or form, it's quality not quantity that I look for. As said above,never keep shooting or even start shooting if your tired, always try and end the shooting session on a positive note.

[Hermon]

Some days I will shoot a couple hundred arrows.  Other days I may just shoot 5-6 if everything is just clicking, especially during the hunting season. Always try to end on a high note.

[Iowabowhunter]

I try to shoot everyday. One arrows @ a time is the best way to practice imo. Usually dont get to shoot groups @ animals I figure why practice that way?

[McDave]

I'll always remember the story Ken Beck of Black Widow Bows told us in a class one day.  "Some people think a disadvantage of traditional archery is that you have to shoot a lot of arrows just about every day to get any good at it.  Other people think an advantage of traditional archery is that you get to shoot a lot of arrows just about every day to get any good at it."  (I'm not sure that's exactly what he said, but it's the best I can remember).

[Friend]

Typically loose aprroximately 75 to 100 arrows per day.

Can't say that my competence level is even remotely elevated, however the enjoyment incurred is highly elevated.

[ISP 5353]

I love shooting my bows and I try to shoot a few every day.  I shoot outside when I can, but I can shoot 7 yards in the garage to work on form.  Even 10 - 20 shots with good form and concentration can help keep you shooting well.

On some nice days, when I have the time, I may shoot 40-60 arrows.  I strive for each shot to be quality.

[BWallace10327]

I have fun shooting my bows and like anything fun I try to do it as much as my schedule allows.  I don't put an X value on the amount of practice required to get a Y amount of skill.  I shoot to have fun and the ability to shoot well comes as an intended byproduct.

[KSCATTRAPR]

Practice? You're talking about practice? Sorry, had to do that.

I try and shoot everyday, 1 arrow at a time. I try to make every shot different ( angle, distance, scenario ).  With every shot I try to imagine the vitals on some type of critter. Some days I can shoot 100's of arrows, some days I can only shoot 10, just depends on how sore the shoulder is and how well I am focused. When I get tired I stop, just to prevent bad form from becoming a habit.

[Krex1010]

Wow never thought Id see Allen iverson quoted on this forum lol love it. I'm a newb to traditional archery, but have bow hunted all my life, also hunt with a rifle and a shotgun at times. I love shooting, my bows, my guns, I just love to shoot. Archery is great because I practice in my yard. I shoot about every other day, sometimes 10 arrows sometimes 50. My one bit of advice I'll give is that you should treat your first shot as the most important of the session. When hunting we may get one shot in an entire season, do whatever it takes to learn to make your first shot a good one.

[Longbow58]

Agree with all, shoot until I feel good then put her down, all depends.

[actionjackson22]

I have a little three target course set up I try to shoot ever day. Different angles and yardage its fun. With a little one on the way I bet my everyday shooting will slow down a touch but that's ok

[Shakes.602]

Sometimes I will step out the back door, and if my First Shot Whacks the 3D Teddy Bear I use, I turn around and go back inside. I figure Ya Cant Improve on a First Shot like that! Especially when its cold outside!!

[damascusdave]

I post this just to help you think about what is possible...I had a very interesting chat with a gentleman who spent some time in Korea training with their Olympic shooters...the men practice 8 hours a day with bows that draw about 55 pounds

DDave