To get better...... to be great? What is the next step other than shooting a lot. What have you done?
My GF and I have taught archery. Most students were beginning children but some were adults. A lot of the the GF's students were women who couldn't/wouldn't listen to their significant others!!
I've worked with an NFAA/NAA certified Level 4/3 coach. He has helped me on and off for a period of about 4 years now. I can say that he has helped me tremendously, I'm not sure why more people don't look to use a good coach to improve their game. I see so many people locally that practice a ridiculous amount, bang their heads on the wall trying to get better, shoot to the point that they end up with target panic, and then try to fix problems by throwing money into equipment. It's soooooooo much easier to work with a quality coach, practice a lot less, make sure it's quality practice, and shoot much better scores. I have less time in my life righ now for practice than I ever have. I shoot 1 indoor game a week, and maybe practice in the basement at 10 yards twice a week with about a 30-40 arrow session. I'm shooting the best scores of my life both indoors and out, and I'm getting better every season, because when I do have time to practice...........I'm practicing the right thing, not just flinging arrows.
when i can i stop back at my old bow shop and i'll flig a few dozen arrows and have them check me out from time to time
Shoot me a PM with the town name and zip code you live in, I believe there is a directory you can look up closest certified coach in your area........I'd be glad to help point you in the right direction.
I follow a hieracrchy of command. I help people that don't know what a bow and arrow are, Ben coaches me, Rob coaches Ben. Not sure that I've even attained the grasshopper status yet. I also joined a local archery club. Aside from allowing me to shoot 100 times more, it gives me access to multiple opinions and views. I'll admit though, I do not tap nearly the access that I currently have. A local pro shop (and member of my club) offers lessons. He coached his daughter to several national championships.
I'm having a difficult time finding it......... It used to be on NAA's website. I'll be seeing my coach this weekend and will check in with him to see what's available.
Heck yeah....lol. If it weren't for Page, I'd still be shooting 3' groups at 20yds. For you compounders......when RJ writes something...write it down. He has a good way of expressing what he's trying to say (probably because he's well-read/versed). I know he helped Matt/TN....and that young man is a freakin' shootin' machine. Women (from my golf teaching days) are the BEST students.....followed closely by kids. Adult men are the WORST students!:D
Thanks Jeff, but I can't claim credit for Matt's success, we may have traded a few PM's a couple years ago (can't remember to be honest), but he is shooting like that because he is surrounding himself with better shooters locally, and getting good guidance from them. If you can't find a good coach, spending time with the better shooters locally will help you drastically. Make sure you are wise about what you listen to though, a lot of times you will hear conflicting info and it's difficult to know who to trust, etc. That's why a good coach is a great asset, if you trust them you know you don't need to discount any of what you learn. Just because someone is a good shooter doesn't mean they are able to give good advice. It certainly increases the likelyhood though that they aren't FOS though......lol. Perfect example............. Last night I was at our local league night. One of our top shooters (he cleaned his vegas target last night and holds a 449 average) noticed something on my bow arm/hand and started making suggestions on how I should change it. My coach has hours of video from the last 4 years on my bow arm and hand, and he uses that video for almost every one of his students to show them how it should look. Without the guidance of my coach, I probably would have listened to this guy yesterday simply because of his shooting abilities........and it's not a change that would likely be positive for me at all.
I wouldnt mind having a teacher, i have never actually had anyone help me fine-tune my shooting, I sort of just picked up my bow and started shooting......I feel like i might be picking up some bad habbits. I try picking up little tips i read on here.
Great thread.... Keep it going. RJ, I would also be very interested in knowing what that site is or who the local coach would be in my area. Thanks.
What he said. I also have a friend that is a level IV coach and even though I have never "paid" for his services,he has helped me tremendously.I have never been quite as serious as RJ but have done quite a bit of lessons with my friend just on a personal level. I guess he feels I have come a long way because I asked him about coaching my son and he told me I was capable of teaching him how to shoot but he did recommend a book by Lanny Basham for perfecting the mental game of archery for my son to read and watch the CD's.The book/cds were With winning in mind and the mental management system.He said they have used these at the olympic training ceneter.
Lanny Bassham's stuff is FANTASTIC, but for most people his writing/cd's only apply if you are already shooting great shots with great form. It's tough to get there without a coach or some good guidance.
As far as i know, i live by Larry Wise. I wonder what he charges? I'm sure one session would do wonders.
