Practice questions

[kd8jgu]

I have read beginners threads
Now I have shot trad but it has been over 20yrs
so I am a new to trad again
I know I am a three under shooter
My question is
what would be a good practice routine
good warm up
distance,
size of target to work on (as far as goal before progressing in distance)
Thank you

[Deb]

Assorted stretches for warm up.
Practice form only at 7-10 yards.
Standard bag target will do fine. Best to just practice form only for awhile with an unmarked target.

[jerp]

Assorted stretches for warm up.
Practice form only at 7-10 yards.
Standard bag target will do fine. Best to just practice form only for awhile with an unmarked target.

Deb knows of what she speaks! The best advice given to me is to not try to practice form and aiming at the same time. I just finished watching "Masters of the Barebow" and they all stressed working on form in front of a blank bale (no bull or other markings) The idea is to keep doing that until proper form becomes automatic so when you when you do start trying to hit a bullseye you can totally focus on the spot. That is hard to do when you are also thinking about anchor, back tension, release, etc. I start every practice session with 10 shots at the blank bale

[Loreva13]

Deb and Jerp said it best!

Blank bale shooting has really made a difference for me.

[kd8jgu]

Thank you
I know I am wishing
I hope it comes back to me quick
Ran across a pic of me shooting back then
Hopefully anchor point will feel as good as it did back then
Now for the bow to get here and get out and have fun

[Tracker0721]

I was gone to Afghanistan and got back a couple months ago and I still feel new to it. Before I left I could put a dozen arrows in a baseball sized circle at 30yds. Now my form is so messed up I can barely do that at 10yds! Anchor point and finger position are causing me the most problems. Maybe I need a coach.

[Buff]

I was gone to Afghanistan and got back a couple months ago and I still feel new to it. Before I left I could put a dozen arrows in a baseball sized circle at 30yds. Now my form is so messed up I can barely do that at 10yds! Anchor point and finger position are causing me the most problems. Maybe I need a coach.

WOW that is some really great shooting.


My only advice is to not get too worked up about your ability or lack of it starting out.

Try to remember it is supposed to be fun. You can get all worked up until there is no fun left in it.

I have to some times stop and make my self smile, really. I make myself smile or even laugh at myself.
If it can't be fun, why even mess with it?
a 30/30 is a much better way to kill something any way

[Tracker0721]

I shot everyday after school and sometimes before from 8th grade on till the army. Had a target right outside my door to practice whenever I wanted. Proper practice really does pay off. That and tune your arrows to your bow! No sense practicing with a arrow that won't reward you. I warm up close and try 6 arrows at 6 different bullseyes. Once I get all 6 in or with a couple inches I move to 20 and then do whatever my practice is.

[moe monsarrat]

I also train with close shots into a bag. I get where I cannot miss and draw and release with my eyes closed. That way I can feel the arrow at my anchor point and also feel myself pulling through the shot.

[jerp]

I also train with close shots into a bag. I get where I cannot miss and draw and release with my eyes closed. That way I can feel the arrow at my anchor point and also feel myself pulling through the shot.

It is remarkable how much different everything feels with your eyes closed. Like Mo said make sure you are REAL close. Not having any visual clues can mess up your alignment. I somehow managed to miss a bag target from just a couple yards away and sent an arrow through my garage door DOH!

[Ol Man]

For mechanics - it is best if you can video tape yourself. This shows you in detail what points you need to concentrate on.

When I help someone that is just starting (after they master their form somewhat) I get a Tape ( Duck tape) core and place it on a bag. The shooter is 3 yards form the target.. Until they can put 3 arrows in a row inside the core they can't move. When they accomplish this they move back a step and repeat. This is the start of each and every session.

[little john]

Ha ha through my garage door so funny all very helpful tips thank you