Trad Gang
Main Boards => The Shooters FORM Board => Topic started by: F Thomas on December 18, 2007, 07:40:00 PM
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How does one gain the accuracy of Byron Ferguson, Dean Torgis, Howard Hill or G. Fred Asbell.
Some will simply say practice. If I was shooting Olympic Style Archery then I know where to go to get the coaching and information. I don't for Trad. It is not simply just shooting more, but shooting and focusing on specific aspects of the shot. I don't know what they are shooting instinctive (bit of a misnomer.)
I am no expert!!! An "Expert" is nothing but a drip under pressure!
One last note: I am always impressed and humbled by the Traditional Archery Community. Shooting Trad is a real Blessing! Thanks God!
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Additional Note;
I am full of myself. I hope that isn't the case and apologize if it appears that way to any of you.
I honestly hope to get some feed back from you guys.
Not going to happen!!
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If you are shooting 4 inch groups at 40 yards, then I'd say you have 'arrived', and should have no problem in the field under any normal hunting distances.
If you take the level you are at now, and sharpen your hunting skills, you'll be on your way to being a very successfully hunter no doubt.... if you commit to learning the game you are after and gain hunting experience shooting live animals.
If you want 'olympic' accuracy....then I would say you need a great coach and commitment....if paper is your main focus.
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No doubt... averaging 4"@40 yds barebow...you have surpassed everyone on your list. Your there, if you can do it under pressure.
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Hey Rod, that's a big "if" isn't it? I wonder how many erstwhile Tiger Woods there are giving lessons at municipal golf courses that would be big money winners "if only" they could do it under pressure! (Believe me, I know the feeling)
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Sounds to me like fred should be the one doing the coaching
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The Olympic Archers I know are unbelievable at 90 meters, let alone 40. The arc of their arrows are beautiful and the accuracy astounding. They are world class. I want that type of accuracy out to 40 yards.
I honestly would like some recommendations on:
What to practice
How to practice
How to identify faulty form and other faults
How to correct those faults
How to measure improvement
Again, I am not trying to toot my own horn. A couple of months ago I had target panic so bad I didn't think I would ever shoot a consistent group again. What made the change - I learned something new from watching "The Push Release".
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I'm just waiting for your book and video to come out.
:goldtooth:
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Buy a clicker and it will teach you perfect form. :thumbsup:
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:banghead: :banghead:
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For some reason I can hit quarters out of the air with more consistency than bottle caps stuck to the target at ten to twelve yards. That is, someone toss the coins across the target, not the up and down. There is no way i can shoot two inch groups at 20 let alone 4 inch at 40. I think the parameters are different and the form needs to be different. Not saying it can't be done, but fluid form that can do all things with a longbow doesn't lend it self to Olympic groupings.
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I'm sorry Thomas I was just trying to inject a little funny. I guess it wasn't the time. I wish I could help but I'm no where near where your at.
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Fred,
I had the same questions as you and got many of the same answers.
Fortunately, I found a couple of patient souls who have given me the following:
There are six basic things to work on:
1) bow hand - be sure that it is consistent and torque free and the same every time
2) fingers on the release - be sure that you hold the string exactly the same way every time.
3) anchors - everyone has a little different anchor, try to develop one that is bone on bone and hit it exactly the same every time.
4) balance & alignment - the level of alignment is different for everyone due to body type and condition. Check Terry Green's posts for good alignment and develop alignment that you can hit the same every time.
5) release execution - release is a bad word for what we are doing since you don't actively do anything, you just quit holding the string. try to have the curl of your fingers almost the same before and after the release. the hand will have reacted to the loss of tension and moved back, but if you just quit holding it will be more consistent than if you actively straighten your fingers. Video of one of the Olympic gold medalists looks almost like the string went through the fingers, not around them.
6) follow through - there are a lot of good ways to end a shot. Pick one that works for you. The goal is to anticipate the follow through rather than the shot. the follow through can be anything that lets you hold your form until the arrow is clear of the bow. some use a touch on their shoulder, others use the sight or sound of the arrow hitting the target. there are many things that you can use, just be sure that it lasts until the arrow is clear of the bow so that anticipation of the shot doesn't turn into target panic.
Practice - work on only one of these at a time. try to shoot good shots, but focus on just one thing during each shot. don't worry about where your arrow hits, just focus on that one part of your form to get it right. during each practice session, work on all parts of your form. It may only be 3 or 4 arrows for something that you are already doing well, but work on everything each session.
You probably noticed that I kept saying "do it the same every time". That is the key to accurate archery, regardless of the style of archery that you shoot.
Some techniques are better than others. This is discussed here and on other forums all the time. One technique may work better for you but another will be better for me. Use your time on line to learn about the techniques and use your practice sessions to figure out which works the best for you. However, be sure to try only one change at a time.
Hope this helps,
Allen
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Clicker.... :campfire:
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pick up masters of the barebow vol. one and go to rod jenkins section. it helped me alot. good luck. Todd
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AllenR,that has got to be one of the best written pcs I've ever seen :notworthy: :notworthy:
All of that can be done up close with no target working on shooting not hitting that'll come later
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hey swamp i agree great post allen.
hows the bale treating you
keith
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Yep...I also agree with what AllenR shared...good stuff!
Ray ;)
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Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words.
I can't claim too much of that information. It is distilled from many great coaches and archers who have been very patient with my incessant questions and requests for help.
I hope that someone else can make good use of it.
Happy New Year to everyone!!
Allen
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AllenR nailed it! The only other thing that has really increased my accuracy has been learning how to seriously concentrate on each shot. The true mental aspect was what I was missing. Developing good accuracy is a very addicting quest, just don't forget to have fun while you're at it. Good luck.