I am starting my 3rd year , shoot instinctive recurve and love this sport . Still not sure how much and how long one should practice, can you over do it ? Curious how many days a week and hours a day shooters like Terry Green and others of that caliber shoot to stay on top of their game , and thier routine ? Thanks .
When its warm out I shoot everyday....at least 5-6 good arrows if nothing else. But now that hunting seasons r coming to a close and its freezing cold out I proly only shoot a couple times a week.
Each session shoot until you get good then stop. Stopping while you're shooting good will really increase your confidence and if you continue to shoot after that point you're shooting will degrade and you'll develop bad habits.
I used to shoot 50 to 100 arrows a day. Once I got my muscle memory and brain functions just right I reduced that to a dozen or so good shots a day. If I start screwing up, I put the bow down and come back later.
During hunting season I shoot one arrow a day, either in the morning or evening, sometimes both but only one arrow each time.
I shoot nearly every day. Some days it is 50 arrows, some days 200.
And yes, you can overdo it! If you find yourself getting tired and sloppy, it is time to rest a while or put it up for the day.
Perfect practice is what you are after. Practicing bad form only instill bad form!
Bisch
X2 on what Bisch said... I shoot long enough to get the warm fuzzy of nearly all shots where i want them..... no matter how many arrows. It might be as few as half dozen or 6 dozen! Always leave on a good shot. As soon as it quits being fun... you went too long!
Good luck and God bless,
Rodd
^---------what they said. Confidence is such a huge part of this type of shooting/ hunting.
Once you have your form down, and you can problem solve your bad shots and or form, it's quality not quantity that I look for. As said above,never keep shooting or even start shooting if your tired, always try and end the shooting session on a positive note.
Some days I will shoot a couple hundred arrows. Other days I may just shoot 5-6 if everything is just clicking, especially during the hunting season. Always try to end on a high note.
I try to shoot everyday. One arrows @ a time is the best way to practice imo. Usually dont get to shoot groups @ animals I figure why practice that way?
I'll always remember the story Ken Beck of Black Widow Bows told us in a class one day. "Some people think a disadvantage of traditional archery is that you have to shoot a lot of arrows just about every day to get any good at it. Other people think an advantage of traditional archery is that you get to shoot a lot of arrows just about every day to get any good at it." (I'm not sure that's exactly what he said, but it's the best I can remember).
Typically loose aprroximately 75 to 100 arrows per day.
Can't say that my competence level is even remotely elevated, however the enjoyment incurred is highly elevated.
I love shooting my bows and I try to shoot a few every day. I shoot outside when I can, but I can shoot 7 yards in the garage to work on form. Even 10 - 20 shots with good form and concentration can help keep you shooting well.
On some nice days, when I have the time, I may shoot 40-60 arrows. I strive for each shot to be quality.
I have fun shooting my bows and like anything fun I try to do it as much as my schedule allows. I don't put an X value on the amount of practice required to get a Y amount of skill. I shoot to have fun and the ability to shoot well comes as an intended byproduct.
Practice? You're talking about practice? Sorry, had to do that.
I try and shoot everyday, 1 arrow at a time. I try to make every shot different ( angle, distance, scenario ). With every shot I try to imagine the vitals on some type of critter. Some days I can shoot 100's of arrows, some days I can only shoot 10, just depends on how sore the shoulder is and how well I am focused. When I get tired I stop, just to prevent bad form from becoming a habit.
Wow never thought Id see Allen iverson quoted on this forum lol love it. I'm a newb to traditional archery, but have bow hunted all my life, also hunt with a rifle and a shotgun at times. I love shooting, my bows, my guns, I just love to shoot. Archery is great because I practice in my yard. I shoot about every other day, sometimes 10 arrows sometimes 50. My one bit of advice I'll give is that you should treat your first shot as the most important of the session. When hunting we may get one shot in an entire season, do whatever it takes to learn to make your first shot a good one.
Agree with all, shoot until I feel good then put her down, all depends.
I have a little three target course set up I try to shoot ever day. Different angles and yardage its fun. With a little one on the way I bet my everyday shooting will slow down a touch but that's ok
Sometimes I will step out the back door, and if my First Shot Whacks the 3D Teddy Bear I use, I turn around and go back inside. I figure Ya Cant Improve on a First Shot like that! Especially when its cold outside!!
I post this just to help you think about what is possible...I had a very interesting chat with a gentleman who spent some time in Korea training with their Olympic shooters...the men practice 8 hours a day with bows that draw about 55 pounds
DDave
Quality practice session can be as little as one arrow. Its the quality not quantity that counts. I would focus on great form and as soon as your concentration breaks down or fatigue just starts stop for the day or take a break. Learn about blank bale shooting and look up Rod Jenkins at Safari Tuff.
Of course some days you just never want to stop because its so much fun. Those days are "fun" not practice.
You never stop learning when it come to trad archery.
I spend a lot of time shooting at 8yds in my garage working on form now that its cold out. I shoot outside when I can. Either way I always make myself stop when I start to get tired because it will just frustrate u!
LOL....KSCATTRAPR ! I was thinking the same thing
Practice should be kept interesting and not feel like work...
... mike ... :archer2: ...
I practice as much as I can because I like shooting my bows. My niebors think its a little strange to snow blow a path to my 3d deer and shoot in January and February when it is cold and snowy out. Its relaxing shooting on a nice spring or summer evening while enjoying a couple adult beverages. I chuckle to myself when I here certain people say "I shoot a crossbow because I don't have time to practice" they don't know what they are missing.
Hahaha great to see the Allen Iverson quote! That's the first thing I though too.
I'm a big believer in shooting at a NAA or similar target. My practice sessions typically consist of 5 or 6 warm up shots, 10 rds of 3 arrows at a NAA recurve target from 20 yards for score, then I'll practice either hunting situation shots at 3-D targets or shooting from 30-40 yards. Scoring is important to gauge your progress. Trust me on this- on a day you feel you are shooting poorly, you will often find that your score is not that far off your average...this helps encourage me.
For all you geezers/non sports fans :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI
I practice most days. It's an addiction. Ha ha. I try to hold my practices to one arrow at a time at different distances and stop while shooting well. I say "try" because some days I shoot longer than I should and my concentration breaks down. I'll shoot longer periods when I'm blank bail shooting for form.
You only get back what you put into this sport, or any sport for that matter. There are always going to be athletes that have a natural ability that you'll never catch up too no matter how much practice you do.....
The thing to remember with archery is that this is a physically demanding sport. The better shape you stay in, the easier it is going to be. I'm all for practicing form, and working on improving accuracy and consistency. But its just as important to spend time drawing that bow regularly and exercising your upper body even when you cant get out and shoot.... It takes a commitment... the guys that are really good at this, work at it.
what kirkll said...some people just dont need or like to practice...my son is one of them...he only shoots just before he hunts and only a few arrows and he's just plain good on animals...cant remember him missing with a stick bow BUT put a compound in his hand and he'll miss more times than not :dunno:
me on the other hand...i love to shoot and have for over 50 years...i shoot daily if possible and dont count arrows and dont shoot groups...weather is a none factor (it's just like hunting)i just do it and LOVE IT !!!
Shooting a bow is something I love to do. It has a therapeutic quality for me. I don't count arrows, but I shoot A LOT. Sure, it can be overdone, but I approach shooting practice a lot like sports practice. You don't get to be a great shot shooting five arrows a day. Michael Jordan didn't achieve basketball greatness shooting five free throws a day, did he?? There are guys out there that may not need to practice much to maintain their form and stay sharp. I am certainly not one of them.
A lot of guys shoot one arrow at a time. While certainly this is good hunting simulation, if your shooting technique and form are not well established that isn't nearly enough, in my opinion.
Shoot until you can hit your mark. Then shoot until you hit it a lot. Then shoot until you rarely miss. Then shoot more. Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.
When the chips are down, and you have Papaw buck with a brushpile on his head standing broadside at 8 yards....you've got this. You've done it THOUSANDS OF TIMES. I've been accused of "over preparing", my response is always the same. There is no such thing. I guarantee you one thing. All bowhunters miss, especially young, green ones like myself. Whether its the first shot at an animal, or the hundredth, do you think that one time a hunter has ever said "Man, I wish I hadn't practiced as much"????
Food for thought.
Have fun, and shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot.
Jake
I have to shoot as often as possible to keep my strength up. Lately..this yr it's been starting over with low poundage bow and working back up..many times..missed last part of Oct. and all of Nov. due to health.
But back on track now with my main bow.