Hate to admit, but I never did the blind bale thing and I do think it would help some form "issues".How much has it helped you and I appreciate tips, especially isolating aspects of form.Thanks.

Do you mean shooting with eyes closed?

When I'm in a shooting funk I like to shoot at my bag target with my eyes shut. I stand about 5yd from the bag, pick a spot, draw, anchor, then close my eyes and release when all feels right. It gets me back to triggering my release based on "feel" rather than visual cue.

It's not important but pretty neat how close the arrow ends up to the spot, usually within 1".

Rod Jenkins told me to go back to the blind bale to work out my inconsistencies. Post this on the shooting forum and you will probably get more responses.

I shoot about a dozen arrows into the bale before I practice. Concentrating on grip, anchor,back-tension, release and follow through. It helps me.

I normaly start my practice sessions with a few draw and holds ( 10 seconds)and let down, and then follow with a blind bale ( eyes closed) close bale session. It really helps me feel and concentrate on every aspect of the shot.I believe it helps build a more disciple shot, good luck, Jerry.

If I shoot 3 arrows in a set when blind bale working I find them grouping. I don't aim them just shoot them in to the bale. When I also do bale work or aiming working with more then 1 arrow I seem to brake arrows.

I do find when bale working I feel it in a back more. This helps when I do what I call "The First Shot" or "The Cold Shot"...

It's a regular part of my practice, and a must before a hunt. I blind bale shoot 8-10 arrows, even in the dark before an early morning hunt.

It keeps my form much more consistant.

I agree with Billy.  Never realized how much I was focusing only on the end product (hitting the target) rather than how you go about doing that in the first place.  Good form will equate to good results.  You can work all you want at hitting the target but if your mechanics arn't consistent its going to be hard to consistently hit the target.

I'm a huge believer and wish I would have started earlier.  

By the way I don't ever really use a bale.  I just shoot into the ground without concentrating on a target.

Anytime I go out and shoot and I'm having trouble, I go back to my form work.

It shifts the concentration on "hitting the mark" to concentrating on what your body is doing through to completion of the shot. Very helpful, as is all that Rod shares with you! Thanks Rod, David

One thing that is really helping me this shooting season (I call the off season shooting season as a handfull of us shoot weekly).

I dropped from 52# down to 47# and saw good results, but I have now dropped to 42# and my form is making serious improvements.

I think for regular shooting, most guys are over bowed. Including myself.

I shoot with some very experienced die hard trad guys and they shoot lighter weights for target practice and to keep good form and then go up in weight for the elk season.

My form is a work in progress, but I think it is progressing thanks to the old boys I shoot with.

Good luck,

Paul