Author Topic: Shooting ability (Read 1019 times)

StillWaters607 · « **on:** May 22, 2003, 10:40:06 AM »

Does your shooting just seem to fall apart periodically? Do you acquire and lose bad shooting habits? When I first got my bow, it was hard to shoot make a bad shot, it made good tight groups, always on target. Several years and a couple tune-ups later, I think the bow is fine but my shooting gets erratic and then it falls into place again. Anyone else go through this? Is it the arrow or the Indian?

willis5 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 22, 2003, 12:38:25 PM »

How long do these bad shooting spells go for? I have bad days with shooting, but they don't last, and don't comeback for awhile. When I am having a bad day, I put up the toys and try again another day so I don't start teh bad habits that are making me have that bad day.
keep having fun!

longwinters · « **Reply #2 on:** May 22, 2003, 12:58:16 PM »

I have found over many years of shooting that bad shooting is often a mental thing. If nothing has changed on your bow, and you are doing everyting the same then it is probably concentration or something hard to pin point like dropping your bow arm at the shot. If it is mechanical it should be a consistent problem. But this does not sound like what you are experiencing. Think about the fundamentals of a good shot. Pick your spot, Point, Concentrate, Squeeze the release and Follow thru. Make sure also that your grip on the bow is loose so you are not torqing it at the shot. The difference in a good day and a "bad day" should really be very little . . . but you will know the difference.

StillWaters607 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2003, 08:14:39 AM »

My most common problem is one day shooting high and right. Sometimes the shots are just high, or just right, occasionally they drop. During sessions where I'm having trouble, I suddenly nail a shot or two dead on. That leads me to think I'm doing something unconsciously. I have noticed torquing in the past and it's tough to overcome. I've gone back to just practicing form, release, follow-through over and over. Maybe a "third eye" would be helpful? Do any of the bow components, especially the string, wear, stretch, or become erratic?

longwinters · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2003, 06:16:32 AM »

Stillwaters, all of those things can happen. If you shoot compound it is good to know your bow well enough that if for some reason the rest loosened up etc... you would know it. Sometimes individual strands in your string can break under the serving and you may not see it. You should also know what the braceheight is for your string to limbs. Usually dropping an arrow/s low means you are dropping your bow arm at the shot. A good thing to do is hold your sight on the target area for say a count of 3 before lowering it after the shot. Ususally high/right hits are do to pushing the bow up (if you shoot with your bow in your left hand). It can be wrist torque but usually that is only left or right shots. Again, keep a fairly loose grip (maybe use a sling for confidence that you will not drop the bow). And concentrate on the shot. You should have the target in focus and your pin will be fuzzy. Dont worry about the pin not being in focus because your brain will keep the pin on target. Also remember shooting is all about rythm (sp?) and timing. No one can hold the pin on perfectly still. It will move . . . and that is ok. Just keep focusing on that spot you want to hit and the grouping of your arrows will show you where to adjust your sites to. This info is mute if you are shooting the wrong spine arrows for your bow poundage etc... Hopefully a good archery store can help you here if you need it. Keep shooting!

StillWaters607 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2003, 08:35:18 AM »

Thanks, Longwinters!! Great advice. I'll keep it in mind when shooting.

StillWaters607 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2003, 03:53:26 PM »

Longwinters, the suggestions helped A LOT!!! Guess it was the indian.

L-Roy · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2003, 06:18:08 PM »

Still-----
If possible, video tape your shooting and observe just what is happening during the shot sequence.

Are you creeping forward with your arrow holding/releasing hand? Are you pulling that hand off your face at the moment of the shot? Does the hand go in any other direction other than straight back?

Is there excessive movement of the bow/arm? At the moment of the shot, does the bow/hand move either left or right? After the shot, is the bow/hand still on target?

Be constructive with your critique. You'll be amazed at what you observe!

longwinters · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2003, 10:45:07 AM »

Stillwaters, glad I could do you a little good. I have had to remind myself of these things so often in the last 25 years that I get tired of telling myself "I told you so". Enjoy your shooting . . . it is an awful lot of fun.

StillWaters607 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2003, 10:13:42 AM »

Thanks, guys. I'm back "on target"!! :grin: