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SHOOTING TIPS
Shooting in "Public" By - Tom Lagatol I've often heard from archers while shooting publicly, "Man, I don't understand it. I shoot a lot better than this at home!", or, " I shot this course on my own just last week and performed much, much better." Here are a few thoughts on this matter. I doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that those who feel as described above are operating out of their "comfort zone". To me, what that means is they are no longer able to maintain focus/concentration on the task at hand, which is shooting their shot. Lord knows I'm no psychologist, but I am closely acquainted with high level stress and dealing with it. The answer to, "How do I get back into my comfort zone?" is to know where it is and how to stay in it. Here's my solution. First, if one doesn't solidly know their shot, part for part, you're in trouble to begin with. If one has any question as to any of one's form parts then get on the bale and work on them individually until there's no questions in the back of your mind. There should be no little question marks in the back of he old "coconut computer" to such things as grip-depth of hook- string pressure- head position and a number of other form parts. Second, when you have and know your shot, realize that (know it or not), you have a "system". Some may prefer to call it a "Check List", it doesn't matter what you call it. Take advantage of it to remain in your comfort zone. Your checklist may have five or seven or more "points" in it. Remember, it's yours, but it should be easily mentally acquired. Something like: Grip-Body Position-Hook-Anchor-Head Position-Aim-Commit. This is an example of a mental checklist that can be used with each and every arrow shot both in and outside of one's comfort zone. Third, like they say in the state lotteries, "Ya can't win it if you're not in it." So, get out to your local 3D's. Get together with a bud and set a goal for yourself. Your goal could be to say, run all good shot executions, not overly concerning yourself with shooting a "12" with every arrow. In other words set a shooting goal for yourself. At the risk of having ol Lance on my case, I'm suggesting you expose yourself….to that area of archery discomfort. The more you do so, the more familiar it will become; you're simply "climatizing" yourself to the condition. This is kind of like stepping up to oceans edge and gradually stepping into the water rather than just jumping all the way in and feeling like your heart has stopped! In conclusion, regularly reinforce your shot on the bale with consistent (not numerous) arrows. Next, have a system and use it with each and every arrow, which is no "biggie" as it's just a "mental checklist". Thirdly, set yourself shooting goals while exposing yourself regularly to that environment which you have concern. Reset and reevaluate your goals with each outing. Finally, with more than a modicum of certainty I'll say that "all those guys present and watching" could care less about your shooting! Their concern is for their shooting, not yours! Good Shooting! ~Tom Lagatol~
"It Ain't Over 'till It's Over" By - Tom Lagatol That great line by Yogi Berra applies to archery as well as baseball! What I'm referring to is having a shot "Conclusion". Unfortunately, many archers being self taught, "Practice their release", not knowing that letting go of the string is not the end of a well-executed shot. In the world of firearms (either rifle, pistol or revolver) there isn't a single individual in the world who would agree that "jerking the trigger" is going to produce a quality shot. It's not impossible to hit your intended target… just not likely. Simply, it's just not possible to jerk the trigger with any consistency. The same mentality applies in archery. In Rod Jenkins submission to "Shooting Tips" he notes three different types of "Pulling"; Excessive-Balanced & Increased. The last of these three best relate to the positive, gradually increasing pressure applied to the trigger of a firearm. Ok, now for the "It Ain't Over 'till Its Over" part. The increased pulling needs to continue through a specifically designated point of conclusion to the shot. No one pulls the trigger of his firearm only to the sound of detonation! It's pulled continuously past that point in time in order to have a smooth and consistent shot; so too in archery. It is essential to continue pulling beyond where the archer can affect the arrow in any way. ANYTHING the archer does to the arrow while it's still on the string will affect arrow flight. That's the reason for follow thru to a specific conclusion. Conclusions can be "Physical", "Visual", or "Audio". Let me give an example of each. A physical conclusion, like a shoulder touch, is most often seen while watching Olympic archers. It's popular because it accomplishes the "mission" of not affecting the arrow as well as finishing the shot well before it has flown its 90meters. A visual conclusion may well be a hunter's favorite. One continues to run the shot until the arrow is seen in the target (animal). The distance being much shorter is why hunters often like the visual conclusion. Finally, the audio conclusion is also a possibility. Hearing the string "twang", hearing a fletch, or the sound of an arrow are all possibilities in this type. In "Conclusion" (pun intended), the archer looking to improve his shooting should never practice letting go of the string. Practice running the shot to a chosen conclusion as mentioned above. The selection of a shot conclusion is purely personal. One type isn't better than another…and, of course, this process is best adjudicated on the bale. (The subject of a future article) It also worthy of note that Len Cardinale, a great shooting coach and personal friend is the shortest way I know of straightening out a shot that's in trouble. Consider contacting him for shooting/coaching help at: (609) 713-8216 Good Shooting! ~ Tom Lagatol ~ About The Author: Tom Lagatol can remember shooting a 20# lemon wood bow over 55 years ago. A New Jersey resident that’s hunted in over half the continental US as well as Canada and Africa, Toms' as skilled a hunter as he is at tearing the centers out of bullseyes. If it's a weapon and you can hold it in your hands? Toms not only more than likely efficient with it, he probably has two of them in his closet. A student and hunting partner of archery coach Len Cardinale, Tom knows all too well the dedication, practice and proper skills it takes to be one of the most accomplished shots there is.
"Never Stop Pulling" By - Rod Jenkins Want to
pickup 6-12 FPS
at the same weight your currently drawing, Want to
become much more consistent
with your It's
easy - learn to never stop pulling!
Don' believe that? Break out the video cam
and ~Rod Jenkins~
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Disclaimer - We try to maintain a high level of accuracy of each article we publish, but the views expressed within are those of the author of each article. The Traditional Archer's Gazette, nor any of it's owners, or representatives necessarily reflect, or agree with those views. ©2009 The Traditional Archer |
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