Aiming Techniques

[leewillis92]

Hey everyone, I'm new to trad archery and recently got a bow.  The first day I shot it, I probably shot about 30 arrows through it and thought that I was doing pretty dang good for the first day.  I have had the bow coming up on two weeks and I have been practicing at every chance I get, and it doesn't seem that I am getting any better.  I'm fighting not to get sloppy with my form and I feel like I am doing the same thing all the time (form wise) but I just can't get the patterns to improve.  Today was especially bad, when I could barely hit the 2' by 2' target from about 18 yds.  

I just want to know what I can practice and any tips you might have for getting a tighter pattern.  Thanks a ton and shoot straight! -Lee

[Hoffman]

Concentrate on 1 spot and draw, anchor and release. In a few shots your brain will know how much up or down you need to hold it. It sounds to me like you are trying to gap shoot. Just try what i said and see what happens. I don't even look down the arrow when i shoot. And i can hit an apple at 20yds and cover 6 arrows with a little bigger circle then a softball. Hope that helps ya a little. Just keep trying and don't give up.

Chad

[DANNERMAN]

Lee consistacy is the key.If you are having problems at 18 yards dont sweat it. I shot my bow everyday for months when I started shooting at 8-10 yards.Once you feel comfotable with that then shoot at 12 yards etc. IMO 18 yards is too far to be shooting this early in the game. GOOD LUCK IT WILL COME TO YOU!!!

[toddster]

Lee- like you I struggled with this for long time.  The most important thing is proper form, then bow set up, goes hand in hand.  I went to get help by going to Bob Weley shooting school.  Taught me and alot on here know about proper practice!  Take five best arrows, stand at set range, Bob said 10 yards is good to start.  Shoot the five arrows into a 8" bull, pie plate.  Add up the arrows in, 5 points each.  Pull the arrows, go back and shoot again.  This will be four ends, with possible total of 100.  When you get to 90-100 points,   step back two yards and do the same perfect practice.  Once there, step back another couple yards.  Take your time, no rush,relax and shoot each arrow the same.  Like I am sure you have heard or read about a secondary spot.  Take a balloon, and/or a sticker tab.  Stand again at 10 yards, shoot three good arrow's, into the target concentrating on the spot to hit.  With these three arrows that grouped within and 1" of one another, measure from where they are up and down, left and right of where you was trying to hit.  Now, put the balloon or sticker tab opposite of your measurements.  Example, you tried like all of us to hit center of bull or heart shot.  your arrows grouped (showing good form) 4" high and 6" left of where you was trying to hit.  Now measure down 4" and right 6" and place balloon or sticker.  This is your secondary aiming spot.  Go back and shoot again.  Now the trick, focus as you did on what you want to hit, in your peripheral vision see where the piont of arrow is and put it on secondary spot, shoot, should be real close to what you want to hit.  This takes time to get used to, for we have seen in one plane most of our lives, but before long you will pick it up.  Then shortly after that, you will not even need the secondary aiming device, will be programmed in.  this takes few week's, don't get discoraged, all good things take time.  once you have it, will never go away, just need brushed up.  Any question's feel free to PM me.

[horatio1226]

Focus on a small spot Lee.
Brian