Over the past 3 days I have finally found a pretty solid and comfortable foot stance, draw, double anchor, and release. Today was a really good day for me in my shooting. I was repeating the same sequence over and over, and it felt comfortable.....finally. The picture below that Jeff posted caused me to think about my shot sequence and everything. I started drawing through the motions "on air" in my bedroom while looking at that picture. I did it over and over and could not get comfortable. Then finally it hit me, my head positioning was poor. I was literally leaning my head back towards my rear shoulder, causing me to work against my bow, not with it. Thats all it took. Once I focused on drawing and relaxing my head in an erect position, the overall movement felt good, and the bow felt alot lighter on the draw. I also watched this video over and over, watching the entire sequence, noting how repeatable and relaxed the whole process was for him. I had been fighting my bow, instead of using it as an extension of myself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fg7kIz8-5w Also, all of you guys have been wonderful in your patience with helping me on my recurve shooting...THANK YOU GUYS!
Good to hear Brett!! I'd like to know where Ricks 2 arrows went when he didn't follow through with his release like he did on his others. Notice how his had and release arm went up In the air on 2 of the shots?
Steve, I noticed that too. I dare say that it being Rick the shots were good. If you watch this Howard Hill video you can see that Howard would throw his bow to the outside after the shot. This is not what is notably called good follow through. I would liken this to Rick sometimes casting an arm to the sky. You can't argue that Howard and Rick are two of an elite group of the best shooters. Here's Jeff shooting at ATAR last year. (video with cell phone) And me stumping shooting near the house and shooting in the back yard. Brett can watch these videos and compare different forms and similarities.
No doubt there, they know their stuff. That's just It Robert. Everyone has different forms. Some are close to others, some are the norm, some are off the wall. If It works though, go with It.
Thank you Rob and Steve for the feedback on everything. Been having another good day shooting..another 80-90 shots today and felt good even out to 15-17 yards. For me, that is good. I moved up from 100 grain heads, to 120's, to 150's, and finally settled down with 175 grain heads as my arrows started flying true and there was less twang in my bow string.
Well I am on hold until my new bow string arrives. I ordered it 2 WEEKS ago from 3riversarchery and it has not arrived. Goodness man. As I was shooting today I had three of the strands pop on my bow string.....the string is ancient. I am looking forward to getting a new string, installing silencers, and using a bow square to place the nock (have never done it). Do you all recommend putting a piece of felt on the shelf? I have been shooting off the shelf.
I told you I had at least 1 string for you and I'd make another if you needed it. You could have had it 2 weeks ago. Boy people from Manassas are hard headed. If you PM me your address I'll mail you one.
--I am off only every other Tuesday. And two weeks ago Tuesday you were busy buddy...remember? AGAIN, I appreciate all the generosity Rob. Maybe we would get together this Tuesday morning. I have to work Sat-Monday, but am off Tues/Wed. I can't string my bow anyways until I get a bow destringer...that is coming with my new bow string order. I have shot every day coming on two weeks now, so maybe I need a rest...or not! Tentatively, how is around 10am or so on Tuesday of next week? Thanks.
Well I am screwed on the bowstring. 3riversarchery said their records show that my bowstring and the rest of my order was delivered on the 15th....I never received the products. CRAP. I hope someone did not steal my stuff.
PM your address Rob and I will slip by around 10am after I drop my kids off at school. THANK YOU. See you soon.
IMO, humble opinion, I found that its a mistake to try to mimic rick's method, or my method, or asbell's method, or adcock's method, or byron's method. I tried, and tried them all. I took pieces from them all. And found something I feel satisfied with. And no, I am not as good or even close as any of these guys. But so many things didn't work on trying to mimic thier shots. for instance, has anyone actually tried to use byron's breathing method? Talk about something that can screw up one's shooting. Or tried asbells bow swing method? This has hurt several people.
BigCountry, I hear exactly what you are saying. I am in the beginning stages of shooting a recurve and I am thinking in a very general sense. From the video I took the relaxed, repeatable form that Rick took. From Jeff's pick I saw a more straight up and down form that seems to fit me better. I am taking bits and pieces from everything I see and hear and am trying to get a form that is repeatable and effective under stress. So far I have gone through 20-30 different "styles" and have not found one yet that feels "jist right". That is why it is so much fun right now for me, I enjoy the tinkering and endless journey. The things that have helped me so far as a newbie have been; keeping my bow arm straight, maintaining my bow arm form and holding after the shot, some back tension (cannot seem to consistently repeat the feeling), middle finger/cock feather anchor, foot positioning with my right foot slightly kicked out to the outside, staring at my target long before I shoot at it...I could go on and on. As usual I appreciate the feedback, and I appreciate your feedback BigCountry, thank you.
