As some know, I've been struggling with my shooting of late. Had that debacle with the recurve so I gave up & went back to shooting my longbow. Low and behold if I didn't start getting the dreaded "left" impact problem with that bow too. Efforts to correct it only led me to losing all sorts of consistency. Long story short, I believe I have been over drawing and its been throwing my arrow left. I'd like to thank my wonderfully observant better half, as she picked out an oddity in my anchor that so far, has seemed to be the root of the problem. I believe that I was more apt to over draw the recurve since it is lighter in weight. I shot about a dozen arrows this evening between the raindrops & all were tight grouped dead center left/right. I will shoot the recurve tomorrow while conciously keeping what I learned tonight in practice & I am betting I will hit dead on. I hope this works, I really think it will.
Its amazing what happens sometimes isn't it, actually more frustrating than amazing! Glad you got it sorted out!
Good to hear Ryan! It's surprising at times on who Is the one that ends up helping you out. My hats off to your wife, well done girl!!
I think it had more to do with changing my anchor point than causing a particular reaction to the arrow. And the more it acted stiff, the more I tried to squeeze every inch of draw, by using back tension and all that. I was chasing the wrong parameter. What will really confirm things is if the rain holds & I can shoot the recurve tonight. I’ll really focus on maintaining my anchor & not over drawing just because I can. If I shoot well tonight I’ll be really happy. Oh, and I shoot split. My fletch alignment is such that I can’t feel them at anchor.
Kanga, Yea, but I always thought of it as middle finger to corner of my mouth, but that puts my index above my eye tooth so same thing. But I don't really "dig" in to anchor. Or should I say, I WON'T dig in to anchor anymore. That's what she was catching me doing & when I did that...LEFT. I'm also not even going to attempt any back tension junk either. That got me in trouble, opened up my chest lengthened my draw, evidently changed my anchor and my form went all to hell. Focus, pull back, hit anchor, momentarily pause & the arrow is on its way. I was able to shoot just fine with that sequence before, I'll just stick with what works.
I'm slowly learning by reading threads like this. I have a LONG way to go. Hope it works out for you.
You got It Ryan, do what works for you. That's one thing about traditional bows, I've saw some crazy forms/shooting styles from other folks and them guys hit their marks. Hitting your spot that your aiming for Is really all that matters as long as your consistent In your form In doing so.
Shot the recurve again last night, only 12-15 shots, but NONE went left! I think I can finally get back to meaningful practice again. Something so simple that makes a huge difference in accuracy. Or should I say repeatability. And I suppose another lesson learned out there, is to have someone watch you shoot, or video yourself to try and pick up flaws. It can make a big difference.
I agree Steve, if it works for you, keep doing it. I don't think I want anyone telling me what I do wrong, probably be a long list, but, I do hit my mark!
I've been around traditional shooters/hunters all my life. Not once can I think of anyone shooting the same form wise. I'd say the closest I've saw people be In form Is my brother and I. Do we do It the right way according to you or others? Maybe not but you know what It's worked for us and most Importantly It's worked for me. As long as your consistent In doing what you do that's what matters In the end. Is there a such thing as a perfect form? Sure there Is but that perfect form may not be perfect for the next guy. When someone Is starting out In traditional bows and they ask for my help I give them the basics and get them started off on the right foot. What they do down the road that makes them that much better with their shooting Is up to them. Who am I to say their doing It wrong when their results speak for themselves down the road? Back on HNI Rybo sent me, yourself and a few others a video of himself shooting. You know what I told him, take lightly what you hear from others If what your doing Is already working fine. If It works for you keep doing what your doing, If It's not working use their opinions and knowledge to better yourself. His form wasn't that bad by any means, actually I thought It was pretty good (looked better then mine I told him). A month or so ago when I was at that traditional shoot one of the guys told me my form was what he wished his was. He said It looked smooth compared to what his felt or was. I told him what works for me doesn't necessarily work for others, were Individuals. After I told him that his shooting Improved 100%. He accepted his way of shooting and started having confidence In It, he thanked me later that day for telling him that. There's no way I could shoot the way he did form wise, he looked way to wild for my liking but his results were great for him.
This is where a lot of people get into trouble when first starting out they have no idea of what the basics are, once anyone gets the basics down then and only then can they perfect "THEIR" form. I use Tiger Woods as an example when teaching people. Just look at what he does on every shot, he has a routine, work out your own routine and repeat it on every shot, whether it is in a practice session, on the 3d course or hunting. That right there is the big kicker if you don't have confidence in your shooting abilities nothing is going to make you shoot better, but bad habbits will creep in the back door.
Jeff, I'm in no way against proper form, sure the basics are there but what is proper to one my not be proper to another. I'm not up on the golf swing but does Jack and Tiger swing the exact same way? Both great at what they do.
And to be honest Steve, the form in that video is pretty much what I have fallen "back" to, and really never should have gotten away from. A combination of "bow muscles" getting stronger & attempts to incorporate back tension led me down a path that didn't work for me. About the only difference between that video & my "new" old form is I've deadened my release hand. That is one minor tweak that's given me a little more consistent arrow flight as I am less likely to pluck the string on release.
Ryan. This is why one should video their shooting atleast once a week to visually see if there is form slippages. Jeff. Archery is no different than any other sport. Before you can progress to the next level you have to have the basics down. Here's an example. I took over as coach of an under 16 soccer team, all the players had been playing since the age of 5, they where also the wooden spooners every year they played, the reason why was simple, every coach they had tried to teach them complex plays, assuming the coach before them taught the kids the basics. The very first thing I done was take them back and taught them the basics of the game,once they had the basics down then I took them onto the complex plays, that very first year they where undefeated premiers, not because I am a great coach but because I was the coach who taught them the basics.
Not true In the least. Did you miss that part In my post? Check below Lots of truth to that Russ. I plan on having pictures taken of myself more often, specially when I'm having troubles with my shooting.
In your case, nuts! Come talk to me when you get some expierence Jeff hunting with traditional bows and hunting other animals besides whitetails.
Wow ... that went down hill pretty fast ( i actually started to cringe as i got further down ) , different people , different styles , different opinions . My own style , hahaha i ain't even gonna post it lol .
