Practicing your archery skills
Parents ... if you read the techniques below you will see a lot
happens in a short amount of time and we believe your child will give it
their all. Small steps must be taken before you run, and the same goes for
archery. We are proud of each one that has gone through our classes and
many return year after year because of its challenge. Archery is a
challenge for the best of archers and can be a fun recreational sport as
well.
For your
practicing we will list the steps for you below. Our instructors have
shown you how to:
-
Stand (feet under the shoulders)
- How to nock your arrow on the string correctly
(the direction of the index vane is determined by the arrow rest
one uses). The arrow nock is placed under the string nock. Place the
arrow on the arrow rest.
- Set three fingers on the string in the archers groove and hook the
fingers but do not curl the fingertips or place the release aid on the
string as you were shown. Be sure to watch the wrist for correct
alignment before you begin to draw the bow.
- Set the bow-hand. The grip of the bow should be resting against the
meat of the thumb. The palm of the hand should have little or no
contact with the side of the bow grip. Remember to relax the fingers
to the front of the grip and not have them stiff as if pointing.
- Pre-draw the bow ... point your arrow toward your target before
drawing the bow. Things to remember here: focus your eyes on
your target center and not your sight, head position should be natural
and looking over the bow-shoulder, and your body position should be
upright and comfortable with your body weight on both feet. Your
bow-arms elbow should be behind the arrow and not too high or low.
- Suggested breathing pattern ... Inhale as you begin drawing
the bow
- Draw the bow ... imagine your drawing arm's elbow going in a
straight line back behind the arrow until you reach your
- Anchor ... (remember to hold the anchor position until the string is
released)
- Multi-task and (aim) begin bringing your sight onto the center of
the target while you are slowly exhaling until you feel your
shoulders in the correct position and you are standing straight, and
chest relaxed. Now hold your breath until the arrow is released.
At the same time if using a release aid place your trigger-finger
closer to the trigger before you are seriously aiming. Now hold your
breath until the string is released. Your eyes should always remain on
your target and your sight pin should be seen in the vision between
the target and eyes.
- Aim ... you are already aiming but refine the aim by moving the
sight pin to the center of the target and let it's movement slow down
about a second or two before releasing the string.
- Release the string by >>>> fingers : relax the fingers
and the string will push them out of the way as it passes and your
hand will now leave your anchor and slightly move behind your neck and
your drawing elbow will remain in line with the arrow.
release aid : slowly and smoothly press the trigger of the release
while continuing to aim, as the string is released your drawing elbow
will proceed in a straight line behind the arrow.
- Follow -Through ... continue to concentrate on the center of the
target until you hear your arrow hit the target before viewing where
the arrow hit.
- Reflect on the shot ... determine if your techniques were
acceptable. Answer the questions below:
Was your sight pin on the center of the target when your released the
string? ... YES
Did you hold your anchors until you released the string? ... YES
Did you have a good release? ... NO
Was my stance and body form correct? ... YES
REMEMBER. ... LOOK BEHIND YOU BEFORE YOU PULL YOUR
ARROWS.
Arrow nocks are sharp and we want everyone to be safe, unless you have a
quiver, carry your arrows in the safe manner we have shown you, this way
you will not fall upon your arrows if you stumble.
Archery is correctly repeating the same techniques time and time again.
In step 13 above the releasing of the string was not done correctly so
depending on how much of a mistake was made will determine how much an
arrow can miss grouping with the other arrows or even miss the target.
Correct techniques all of the time will lead to good groups of arrows. The
sight can then be moved to bring these groups of arrow to the center of
the target. (The 13 techniques above have been listed as a refresher for
you or for your parents to help you achieve your goal.)
St. Louis Bow Hunters
Archery Range is open to the public and would enjoy your participation in
their events. They offer practice shooting hours at the indoor range, 300,
and 3D tournaments, owning equipment will be necessary. www.stlbowhunters.com
We
want to thank our instructors
Gregg Gonzalez, Paul Travous, Daniel Martchink, Kim Roscoe, Rich
Schilf, Cathy Ball, Matt Parris, Cecil
Morris, Randy & Amanda Leonard, Tim Cutler, Abby Eaker, and
Andrew Eaker.
Then we have Bob Becker and
Pat McGeorge helping to coordinate classes with their skills as Safety
Monitors. We can't forget the others who help with paperwork and donation
of equipment. Thank you all!!!!
We would also like to thank the many parents
that help with the classes, I'm afraid to miss names, so we will just say
"Thanks to the parents for your help that is greatly appreciated and
your continued support."
* * * * * * * * * * *
Archery Tip: As a youth grows sometimes equipment
may need to be changed by increasing the draw length to the compound bow
or by increasing the draw weight. When increasing the draw-length on the
bow be sure to have the arrows checked to make sure they are long
enough for the new draw -length added to the bow. Sometimes changing
the draw-length and draw-weigh can effect the arrow flight. It is best to
have your equipment serviced and checked by an archery pro-shop and have
them help with these changes.
This is also true for a recurve or longbow, the
draw-weight of the bow will automatically increase because the youth has
grown and are pulling the string a longer distance to their anchor (longer
draw-length = added draw-weight). What may have worked and fit the youth
last year may not work well this year. Be sure the arrows are a safe
length and are correct for the the new draw-weight.
