Monthly Totals for January 2007

78 + 90 + 30 + 144 + 120 + 126 + 108 + 36 + 24 + 36 + 36 + 36 + 12 + 12 + 6 + 6 + 90 + 144 + 18 = 1022

Average weekly = 255

Average monthly now = 1794 + 1247 + 733 + 1022 = 1199 or 299 a week.

30th January 2007

A very hot day, light breezes, clear skies.

144 arrows @ 60m, 122cm insert only.
18 arrows @ 90m, 122cm insert only.

Todays shooting was excellent. In order to consolidate the weekend's shooting, I shot 60m in preparation for the State Short Course Championships, which is a FITA900.

My timing, sequence, shoulders, release, breathing, it all worked wonderfully well.
Consistent 3-4 in the gold, and even all gold ends, while the scatter stayed within the 7+ ring except for 3 outlyers.

90m was harder to shoot, but with control of the release and shoulders pushing forwards, I kept them within the 7+ ring, which was enough to satisfy my rules for a 1200.

Very happy with todays practice.

28th January 2007, Northern Club League FITA900

The second club league shoot of the year out of 10 shoots, and you have to shoot at least 6 of them to be in the running. By looking at the calender, the only 6 I can attend means I need to make all of them.... hrmm.

60m, 122cm face
48 52 55 47 47 = 249
Average end = 49.8
Average rating = 74

50m, 122cm face
56 55 53 56 55 = 275
Average end = 55
Average rating = 84

40m, 122cm face
53 53 54 57 53 = 270
Average end = 54
Average rating = 70

Total = 794
Average rating = 76
Rating = 76

I felt kind of nervous, typical of competitions for me, and only having 1 end of warmup did not really help.

60m: Shook quite a lot, forgot about the head turn work that I practiced on earlier, but the rest of the sequence seemed to work ok.
50m: The sequence work was going good, comfortable to shoot, easy to shoot and concentrate.
40m:Hitting lower forearm meaning loss of concentration and rotation, causing left shots. Was not as easy nor comfortable to shoot as 50m.

Possibly not comfortable to shoot 60m and 40m because they are not standard FITA distances which is what I have been concentrating a lot on.
It was hard to relax, but there was smooth pressure through the clicker during the shots and I didn't wrench them through.
It was much better shooting than previous 900 shot at Northern.

27th January 2007

Today was fairly hot, very strong windy gusts going.

I refletched my arrows using the 3M 2000 strips which come with Spin Wings to see if they did any better than the stuff that comes with Kurly Vanes. Well, from first appearances, they behave the same because the clear plastic fletches are still too stiff and the center of the fletches lift up. Without top and tailing, they would definitely come off.

36 arrows @ 4m blank

• Surprisingly comfortable with my shooting sequence.
• Felt strong with my shooting
• Breathing patterns worked fine
• Head/Shoulder rotation worked fine

36 arrows @ 90m, 80cm full target face

• Surprisingly also comfortable to shoot today, first time that 90m seemed so easy.
• New sight settings required due to turning of nocks and fletching - now on the same extension as the other distances
• Timing issues, but still was able to shoot quite well.
• Grouped within the blue except for the odd random into the white, high.

36 arrows @ 70m, 122cm full face

• It was harder to shoot 70m than 90m, not sure why.
• I needed more rest time in between shots
• Probably starting to get tired, not releasing well
• Reasonable group sizes but the wind was pushing them around some, left and high.

12 arrows @ 60m, 122cm face

• Getting sight settings for the club league shoot tomorrow
• Scattered groups, but the height was fine, only off to the left. Unsure if it was myself or the wind

12 arrows @ 50m, 122cm face

• Excellent group size, keeping in the 8 ring+
• Good to shoot, easier than 60m and 70m

6 arrows @ 40m, 122cm face

• Excellent group sizes
• Harder to shoot
• Settings were excellent on first round.

My progress seems to be going well.
I just need to remind myself that I am not in a rush to get to 1220 as I have plenty of time.
Sequence process still needs more reinforcement to become second nature and subconscious

NSW State Team Selection

Well, I received an email from someone on the committee of Archery NSW offering me a position in the NSW State Team.

I must say the hard work that Mikey has put into me, and also my own efforts seem to have paid off.

I'm so stoked about it, which brings another one of my goals closer with this little step =)

23rd January 2007

A hot day with occasional gusts, clear with no clouds.

Used the session to get sight settings for 20m, 30m, 40m, 50m, 60m 70m and trialled 90m settings. This was due to rotation of my nocks 180 degrees.

108 arrows @ 20m-60m
36 arrows @ 70m
24 arrows @ 90m

20-40m was easy to shoot

• Comfortable, sequence routine worked perfectly fine

50-60m was slightly more difficult to shoot

• Timing did not work so well
• Thinking too long to execute the shot
• Plucking the release
• Possibly poor alightment issues as the arrows were travelling right

70m was ok to shoot

• Mostly good ends, only 2 arrows were outside the 7 ring
• ~51 per end average
• Breathing sequence and timing worked well
• Needed to still remind self to relax

90m was awful to shoot

• Possibly too tired in the heat
• Total scattering, no real group happened
• Very poor execution in the shot release
• Sequence worked until the hold phase and then it goes all to bits.
• Tried to set sight settings but the poor shooting did not facilitate adequate groups to determine if the setting was suitable

My shoulders were ok, but the subscapularis was aching
Possibly due to being engaged heavier than before with the holding and push phases slightly different and waiting for shot execution.

Average Totals Thus Far

Taking a look at the amount of arrows shot across October, November and December.

1794 + 1247 + 733 = 1258 a month or 314 a week.

Still a reasonable rate I guess.

20th January 2007 - Return to coaching

Very hot, no clouds, barely any wind movement

126 arrows @ blank butt, 20m (42 arrows) and 70m

Things worked on:

Shoulder alignment.

• My shoulder alignment could have been better by ~10 degrees.
• Simple solution was to face along the shooting line and allow the shoulders to follow the direction of looking.
• Then, turn the head only, careful to ensure that the hips and shoulders do not move back.
• There will be some tension felt in the transverse adominalis, but that should be there.
• And it works very well.

36 arrow Gold Game

• Played the gold game, but 36 arrows, in 3 arrow ends, at 20m using the 80cm insert.
• 33% easier to hit due to the size, but 33% harder mental pressure not to miss.
• Playing the game focuses on sequence, not on form.
• Having a good routine and sequence can reduce the damage of errors.

Focus Sequence on KEY WORDS


At the end of setup routine need to have distinct key words to activate.

• Hold
• Aim
• Execute

However, my cycle is different to my coach, so my own relies upon the end of my draw routine, where the exhale part (inhale during draw, exhale half breath) becomes my hold phase.

For me, my key words are

• Exhale
• Push
• Keep Pushing

A lot of mental pressure and you need to maintain the sequence until it is just automatic
If something is not right, does not feel right, Let Down and reset
The shot cycle will be smoother and faster when sequence is second nature.

Shot Clock Practice

A 15 second shot clock was set up on a laptop.
I didn't believe that it was possible for me to shoot consistently using only a 15 second shotclock.
I was proven wrong as I manage to shoot pretty much everything I shot in the 15 seconds per shot.

Problems for me though

• Loading time is too long, from quiver to full draw
• Pauses in my sequences are too long, they will need to be reduced once my sequence is more smooth and automatic
• Require more confidence in my shot routine!

Also need to do more Shooting SPT.

19th January 2007

There has been a large gap to due cricket matches on the field and hot weather that was too hot to shoot in.

Windy, hot, no clouds

36 arrows @ 90m, 122cm insert only
First two ends not great, more warmup than anything else
Next several, happy with setup and breathing patterns
Release was reasonable and shot execution was o

84 arrows @ 70m, 122cm insert only

Reasonable group sizes, mainly 7 ring +
Loss of concentration lead to hitting arm due to rotating back in.
Keeping the arm up in a reasonable state


Very hard shooting because of the loss of previous shooting meant strength issues.

9th January 2007

Medium gusts, very warm and bright

30 arrows practice @ 90m

Practice FITA

90m:
43 37 45 40 45 39 = 249
Average = 41.5
Rating = 76
So so, had shoulder alignment issues, poor concentration

70m:
53 55 45 50 46 52 = 301
Average = 50.167
Rating = 82
Reasonably happy, first 300 on recurve, relaxed and not forced

50m:
46 46 52 51 48 42 = 285
Average = 47.5
Rating = 75

30m:
55 48 54 56 58 53 = 324
Average = 54
Rating = 73

Tiring and losing concentration for 50m and 30m.

Total = 1159
Rating = 76
Average Rating = 76.5

5th January 2007

Windy, medium to hot, and a clear sky

90 arrows @ 30m blank butt

• Concentrated on shooting with a relaxed shot
• Focused on floating control around the target (not aiming but just drifting in the same spot)
• Maintaining a reasonable rhythm and breathing pattern

Much easier shooting today compared to the 2nd January 2007

2nd January 2007

Started bright, overcasted then rain, with medium gusts of wind

78 arrows @ 60m, 122cm insert only

• Had difficulties in bringing through the clicker
• Breathing patterns were not much assistance today
• Shots were going left on landing but appeared to be traveling straight initially.
• Had problems with a difficult clean release.

Generally a very poor session, not entirely sure why though.

Month Total for December 2006

Well, traditionally December is always the greatest amount I shoot as with house sitting nearby and that my supervisor is on holidays, I can shoot on a far more regular basis.

144 + 198 + 144 + 180 + 144 + 144 + 36 + 36 + 90 + 6 + 36 + 36 + 36 + 36 + 144 + 18 + 144 + 6 + 144 + 72 = 1794

Average weekly = 448.5 arrows.

Certainly looks like tradition has been followed.

29th December 2006

Started bright, turned windy and overcast

90m grinding

72 arrows @ 90m

Delayed start due to field being mowed.

• Good shots ~70% inside the 7 ring space
• Clean releases
• Need to relax more and not speed through or force the shot.

• Breathing patterns VERY important now
• Ensure Breathing Pattern as part of the setup.

I'm happy at the progress of how 90m is more comfortable to shoot now

28th December 2006

Mild to hot weather, low winds, very bright

90m grinding only

6 warmup arrows

44 44 36 44 40 46 = 254
Average = 42.33
Rating = 77

50 38 42 29 36 40 = 225
Average = 37.5
Rating = 69

37 38 33 43 37 40 = 228
Average = 38
Rating = 70

36 44 42 44 39 41 = 246
Average = 41
Rating = 75

• Breathing pattern helped as part of sequence
• Straight release reaction = straight shot
• Deep grip work
• Controlling to keep the target pin in the center

27th December 2006

Light breeze, very warm

No break or water, straight through.

18 arrows @ 90m warmup

90m:
42 37 40 33 36 46 = 234
Average = 39
Rating = 72

70m:
52 46 52 44 51 54 = 299
Average = 49.83
Rating = 81

50m:
48 49 49 45 49 45 = 285
Average = 47.5
Rating = 75

30m:
56 55 56 56 54 57 = 334
Average = 55.67
Rating = 80

Total = 1152
Rating = 76

• Need to start with a deep grip
• Do not lose tension
• 90m head position is important to be consistent!

Boxing Day 2006

Homebush like gusts of wind, continously changing directions

36 arrows @ 90m, 122cm face warmup

Practice FITA

90m:
27 38 31 40 21 41 = 198
Average = 33
Rating = 63

70m:
38 47 47 49 43 48 = 272
Average = 45.33
Rating = 70

50m:
45 48 48 50 52 43 = 285
Average = 47.5
Rating = 75

30m:
56 55 51 53 55 56 = 326
Average = 54.33
Rating = 74

Total = 1082
Rating = 69

• Very frustrating wind conditions today
• Difficult to relax shoulders when fighting against the wind
• Poor release and control conditions

22nd December 2006

Medium to strong winds, bright and hot

6 arrows @ 70m, 122cm face warmup

70m:

50 38 53 52 49 37 = 272
Average = 45.33
Rating = 70

50 54 52 54 52 49 = 293
Average = 48.83
Rating = 78

53 51 45 49 46 43 = 287
Average = 47.83
Rating = 76

• Still need to relax and not force the shot
• Finger placement important to have less pain from 3rd finger
• Need to watch out for the 'hello' release
• Hand control and do not panic when shot is not working
• Let down

PUSH FORWARDS

21st December 2006

Slight to medium winds, bright with clouds

36 arrows @ 90m, 122cm face:
50 52 40 44 34 27 = 237
Average = 39.5
Rating = 72

36 arrows @ 70m, 122cm face:
53 43 46 47 50 44 = 283
Average = 47.17
Rating = 74

Practice FITA900

60m:
50 46 49 49 52 = 246
Average = 49.2
Rating 72

50m:
48 48 56 52 53 = 257
Average = 51.4
Rating = 70

40m:
54 55 56 52 54 = 271
Average = 54.2
Rating = 71

Total = 771
Rating = 71


Very important to keep pushing with the bow arm
Control of the shot hand very important
Don't force!!!!!
Let down if necessary
Solid grip required. Too much relaxation during shot sequence is not good.

20th December 2006

Overcast, some slight wind

Practice FITA

18 arrows practice @ 90m, 122cm face.

90m:
48 45 45 42 41 42 = 263
Average = 43.83
Rating = 80

70m:
47 42 43 53 48 47 = 280
Average = 46.67
Rating = 73

50m:
44 49 49 47 53 47 = 289
Average = 48.17
Rating = 76

30m:
48 57 55 54 55 56 = 335
Average = 55.83
Rating = 81

Total = 1167
Rating = 77
Average Rating = 77.5 (1160)

New Practice PB!

Pushed the bow arm forwards
Let the shot expand itself
*Don't force the shot*

19th December 2006

Dark, very windy, some light spitting rain

144 arrows @ 4m blank butt

• Worked on keeping the bow arm up still
• Still a drop on release
• Draw length seemed inconsistent today with the clicker

12th December 2006

I should mention that from the 6th December 2006 until the 16th January 2007 I did not receive any coaching as I was house sitting and did not have opportunity to get coaching. I mainly did a lot of practice shooting for strength.

Overcast, some wind, light drizzle

180 arrows @ 4m blank butt

Wound +1 turn on both limb bolts, now at ~42lb (4 1/2 turns out from bottom)

• Worked on keeping the bow shoulder up
• Some bounce but still managed to keep the arm up
• Increased draw weight was not a struggle to shoot
• Moved the clicker in to force longer draw for strength building purposes
• Forces more back and shoulder rotation to bring through the clicker

8th December 2006

Cross winds, Sunny.

Practice FITA

90m:
29 37 40 25 34 39 = 204
Average = 34
Rating = 64

70m:
45 44 53 44 49 51 = 286
Average = 47.67
Rating = 76

50m:
50 44 48 44 38 45 = 289
Average = 48.17
Rating = 76

30m:
54 55 53 53 56 54 = 325
Average = 54.17
Rating = 73

Total = 1104
Rating = 71
Average Rating = 72.25

• Still need more concentration through the whole event
• Still need to relax more
• Also need to work on hand position

5th December 2006

Slight wind gusts, no clouds

198@ 70m

• Averaged ~47/end
• Some random blacks, mainly red and golds
• Concentrated on release
• Foot positions to my shoulder positions, open, more open, wide
• Some very good feeling shots
• Poor release and setup ended up in the left 7-6 ring area.

2nd December 2006 - QRE @ Homebush

Very calm 90m and 70m , Very strong winds kicking in at the end of 50m and through 30m. Overcast with rainspots

90m:
46 48 42 45 42 32 = 255
Average = 42.5
Rating = 77

70m:
44 48 53 51 50 47 = 293
Average = 48.83
Rating = 78

50m:
49 53 52 49 51 40 (The wind started on the last end) = 294
Average = 49
Rating = 79

30m:
41 47 52 55 54 53 = 302
Average = 50.3
Rating *60*

Total = 1144
Rating = 75
Average rating = 73.5 (1118)


Most disappointed by the result as you can see the 77, 78 and 79 rating for the first three distances, and then a dismal 60 rating for 30m. If the rating was kept up as the proper rating of about 80-82, then I would have shot closer to a 1180 score.

Not happy due to the wind.

1st December 2006

Medium heat, very low breezes

Practice FITA

90m:
42 41 36 37 39 41 = 236
Average = 39.3
Rating = 72

70m:
49 53 46 51 46 45 = 290
Average = 48.3
Rating = 77

50m:
48 52 47 49 48 48 = 292
Average = 48.6
Rating = 78

30m:
58 55 55 55 52 56 = 331
Average = 55.12
Rating = 77

Total = 1149
Rating 75
Average Rating = 76

• Better focus today - Keeping the dot on the target after release helps keep the arm up
• Not rushing the shot, letting the shot through on its own time helps not pluck
• Keeping the regular breathing pattern

New PB (Personal Best) by +15 points!

Monthly Total for November 2006

60 + 6 +60 + 54 + 12 + 90 + 60 + 84 +144 +24 +72 + 30 + 161 + 12 + 144 + 144 + 90 = 1247
Average weekly = 311

Slightly higher than October. Still not anywhere near 1000 a week though.

28th November 2006

Mild weather, clouds, started to rain during the session

90 arrows @ 90m, 122cm target face

• Switched to Green Large X10 Insert nocks from Beiter
• Had to increase the nocking point position gap
• Need to stay relaxed
• Need to have a strong grip on the string
• Kept arm up reasonably well
• Consistant 1-3 arrows in the gold-8 ring, rest not so good.
• Pinky Contact!

25th November 2006 - QRE @ Homebush

QRE @ Homebush

Hot, some wind gusts

90m:
24 30 25 (miss) 26(miss) 40 36 = 181
Average = 30.16
Rating = 59

70m:
34 37 47 42(miss) 41 41 = 242
Average = 40.3
Rating = 62

50m:
49 46 43 53 50 33 = 274
Average = 45.67
Rating = 71

30m:
50 52 48 50 53 57 = 310
Average = 51.37
Rating = 64

Total = 1007
Rating 63
Average Rating = 64

24th November 2006 - Practice FITA for 25th QRE

Some clouds, ~25C, Sunny late in the session

Practice FITA

12 arrows practice @ 90m, 122cm face.

90m:
42 29 31 33 37 42 = 214

• Average = 35.6/end
• Rating = 67
• Forgot pinky contact for first three ends
• Still difficult to maintain through the clicker

70m:
44 53 48 45 47 45 = 282

• Average = 47
• Rating = 74
• Much better focus
• Some wild bowarm actions

50m:
53 48 45 46 50 50 = 292

• Average = 48.6
• Rating = 78
• Interruption 1/2 way through distance due to membership inquiry
• Unusual high shots possibly due to low string arm elbow position
• Starting to lose focus

30m:
56 57 55 57 57 54 = 336

• Average = 56
• Rating = 82
• Taking much longer to get through the clicker
• Much more shake if not resting enough between shots
• Focus good, some arm drop
• Still keep within the 8 with arm drop

Total = 1124
Good score, only 90m not really being where it should be
Rating = 73
Average rating = 75.25, which would be an 1140 score

Points to remember are:

• Pinky alignment
• Relaxing
• Keep elbow up
• Keep bow shoulder down
• Holding bow arm up steadily

21st November 2006

VERY HOT 34C+

161 arrows @ 10m, 30m, 50m, 70m, 90m on 80cm target face.

Switched Stainless Steel to Tungsten points in my 450 spine X10's
Refletched arrows also.

Shot in the points and got sight settings for the QRE (Qualifying Ranking Event) on the 25th November 2006.

• Moved the clicker in as the Tungsten points are shorter than the Stainless Steel.
• 30m and 50m were satisfactory
• Kept within the rules
• 70m and 90m were not so good.
• Reasonable, but needed to keep bow arm up, especially at 90m
• Relaxation times required!

17th November 2006

Windy and Warm

? @ 30m, blank and 80cm target face

• Tried 600 spine X10's with Tungsten points
• Shorter arrows, can't use easily
• Too weak, going 4-5 inches right of fletched arrows when bareshaft tested.

Tried playing the Gold Game @ 30m (where you shoot only golds, in a row, if you miss a gold, the count wipes)
Took 1/2 hour to score 10 points

• Difficult weather
• Poor concentration

Changed V- Bars to 15 degree down.

14th November 2006

72 arrows @ 90m, 122cm face

• 1 shot missed only
• Best end = 9 9 9 6 1 1 => 3 9's!
• A deep grip gets through the clicker easier
• Deep grip also plucks a scatter
• Normal grip is harder to get through but still a better cleaner release
• Also easier to keep the arm up
• Less scatter
• Still difficult to relax
• 50% shots inside the 6+ rule, so still work to do on it.

30 arrows @ 70m, 122cm face

• Fingers sore from pulling arrows
• 3rd finger pressure from 90m also quite sore
• Much more relaxed shooting this distance
• ~70% inside the 8+ rule, much better than 90m rule.

Rememberance Day 2006

• Change bow hand positions
• Promotes better center pressure on the hand
• Vertical Drop
• Controlled bow arm so push is only up and down on the bow, no left/right motion
• Still have to work on keeping the arm up
• Focus on pushing forwards more to control the bow
• My release is still good so not need to worry too much on it.

Strength required

• SPT normally and shooting SPT
• SPT (specific physical training): Draw, hold for x seconds until you can't hold with good form, rest y seconds where y= 2x, rinse, repeat. X will decrease with repetition.
• Shooting SPT is where you hold x seconds with good form, then take the shot. Typically 10 seconds +

Mental imagery of the connection between both hands, like a bungee cord

10th November 2006

144 arrows @ 30m, blank butt

24 arrows @ 90m, blank butt

• Found a sight setting for 90m using the new lowered bow weight
• Possible on the current settings but very much low down and had to bring the rack in.
• When a good release was used, was able to keep inside the center insert portion
• Poor shots dropped very low and scattered left badly

It is still difficult to keep concentration on 2 things at once.

7th November 2006

Wound in my bow + 1/2 turn on both limb bolts (now 5 1/2 turns out from all in)

60 arrows @ 10m blank and 80cm target insert (the insert only has the 10, 9 and 85% of the 8 ring on it)

• A little bounce was still seen
• Maintain a realistic all gold shooting
• Managed to keep the rotation of the bowarm
• Generally good at this close distance

84 arrows @ 30m, blank and 80cm target insert

• Not satisfactorily!
• Very hard to concentrate, needed effort to keep arm up and rotated
• Much more difficult to have a relaxed release
• Focus problems between the target sight pin and the target itself
• Really had to push my concentration to shoot acceptable shots

Having a target to aim at is a major distraction compared to shooting good form on blank butt.

4th November 2006 - Northern Club League Canberra, Ratings Tables

Wet with rain, occasional gusts of wind kicking about

12 practice arrows @ 60m

30 arrows @ 60m, 122cm target face

• Score: 221 = 44.2/end = 61 rating

30 arrows @ 50m, 122cm target face

• Score: 259 = 51.8/end = 72 rating

30 arrows @ 40m, 122cm target face

• Score: 265 = 53/end = 66 rating

Total: 745 = Rating 66
Rating Average = 66.3

• The rain made it difficult to concentrate
• Complete loss of back tension and showed a lot of collapse
• It was difficult to get my finger position correct
• Very bad followthrough from the shot
• Could keep the rotation during hold, lost the rotation on the shot
• Needed to stay relaxed
• Too tense, raised shoulders made shorter draw and very hard to pull through the clicker
• Still setting up reasonably
• Keeping in mind the pushline method

As it was my first 'shoot' since starting the new method, was not expected to do well. Supposed to take about 6 weeks before any signs of improvement is expected at all.

An exercise suggested:

• Shoot 3-4 arrows on a blank butt, then 1 arrow on a target face (on the same or separate target doesn't matter. Rinse, repeat.

Assists in getting the same execution without too much concern regarding the aiming part.


My last five FITA's for an average rating
1029
998
1047
1134
1080
Average comes to 1071 = Rating 68, which meant the Canberra round was below what I am capable of shooting on average.

Goal setting 1200 requirements
Breakdown of the scores for 1200 Goes as such

• Only need to score:
• 90m : 270
• 70m: 300
• 50m: 300
• 30m: 330
• Total 1200

• Breaking them down into individual rounds, on average, it means
• 90m: 45/end
• 70m: 50/end
• 50m: 50/end
• 30m: 55/end

In order to shoot those ends, the normal distribution for each distance is then

• 90m: 45/end = 9 8 8 7 7 6
• 70m: 50/end = 10 9 8 8 8 7
• 50m: 50/end = 10 9 8 8 8 7
• 30m: 55/end = 10 10 9 9 9 8

And by examining the rings (Gold, Red, Blue, Black, White), we can further break them down to

• 90m: Keeping all within the Red, but am allowed 1 Blue every end
• 70m: Keeping within all the Red
• 50m: Keeping within all the Red
• 30m: Keeping inside the Gold but allowed 1 Red every end.

So, instead of thinking scores as such, think reducing the lowest scoring arrow as much as possible and everything else according to a random normal group size will fill in the rest.

Learning to control the minimums makes it much easier, and mentally you just think, at 90m I only have to shoot inside the red.

Rating Tables are used to determine your shooting level.
A score is correlated to a rating in a table, but it is consistent across different distances and target sizes. This means if you shoot a 77 rating on a FITA, in theory, if you shoot a FITA900 your score will be also a 77 rating equivalent.
Rating Tables are very useful to look at progress because as you get better, your ratings should increase. The rating I am aiming for is a 80 rating across all distances as that will get me a 1200 FITA score. At the moment, I am capable of 80 rating at 30m only on a good day.

3rd November 2006

Very high winds, blowing from in front of the target
Shot some sight settings for the Northern Canberra Round (Club league event).

60 arrows @ 60m, 122cm target face

• Able to keep in the center of the target if I kept a reasonable release, a clean release
• Comfortable to shoot, a little better than 70m

6 arrows @ 50m, 122cm target face

• Sight settings for 50m were perfectly fine
• Reasonable Group size

60 arrows @ 40m, 122cm target face

• Happy with the group size if I can still keep a release going.

54 arrows @ 4m blank

• Still not getting 100% rotation!
• Need to remember to push the bow hand out
• Position of thumb pressure as an indicator of good hand position
• It is currently possible to do one thing at a time, but still not enough inbuilt process of sequence to do everything.

Monthly Total for October 2006

My shooting progress is advancing slowly.

It has been said that I should shoot about 1000 arrows a week, or at least 3 times solid training a week. However, as it is not likely I can do 1000, but I can do 3 times a week, I'm tallying on a monthly basis to see how much I shoot.

72 + 144 + 72 + 160 + 48 + 135 + 102 = 733
733 / 4 = 183 arrows a week on average.

Of course, this is not a exact estimate as my logging only started on the 22nd October so the numbers are not very accurate.

31st October 2006

Very Hot
102 arrows @ 4m blank

• Was able to obtain much more consistent arm position today
• Need to remember to push down before lifting
• Release hand position is still not correct
• Still lifting from the face and losing contact points
• The pushline setup is beginning to work (The pushline is where I push into the ground, down, outwards, lift etc)
• Attempting to start scapula movement much earlier, as part of the draw sequence and not only at anchor

Use of the form master seems to place more stress on my string shoulder than hands straight on with the fingers.

28th October 2006

135 arrows @ 15m blank

Working on building a sequence

• Pushing shoulders down first as setup phase
• This helps keep the bow arm control better
• Keep the bow arm totally rotated
• The use of a Breathing Pattern
• Exhale fully
• Lift
• Inhale fully on draw
• Exhale half
• Hold
• Execute the shot
• Focus on the target
• Pushing out with the hand towards the target from the arm and wrist, but not the hand
• Balance of stance and hips
• Standing on thin bricks to feel movements
• Must be able to place a even pressure and weight across both feet.

27th October 2006

160 arrows @ 15m blank
48 arrows @ 30-70m blank

• Still failing to maintain 100% arm rotation.
• The lower new lb is harder to maintain the good hand position and release at 70m as the angle change is different.
• The string angle and finger pressure on my 3rd finger is different and causing some finger pain.
• 30-50m shooting was more consistent with the bow arm rotation.
• My arrows are obviously too stiff at the lower bow draw weight.
• This means that the further distances my bow shots are quite badly punished with poor releases.
• The shots end up going left quite considerably.

24th October 2006

Wound down my bow from the starting weight
6 full turns out on both limbs
Tiller and brace height still maintained fine
Dropped from 46lb to 41lbs


144 arrows @ 4m blank

• Worked on rotation of the shoulder, making the rotation over-rotate so that when in not concentration mode, it will still be rotated.
• Discovered that the rotation meant hitting myself further up on the forearm than before so my arm guard was moved up

72 arrows @ 30m, using a 80cm target face

• Discovered I still need concentration to keep the bow arm rotation
• Attempting to control the bow arm drop/bounce (I can hold it up, but if it drops and I yank it back up, it is a bounce.
  
• The object is to not let it bounce and to either control the drop to a very slow drop, or not let it drop at all.)
• In playing with my hand position against my face, I strained my right pectoralis major muscle, indicating obviously not a suitable position.

22nd October 2006

My first proper coached session.

72 arrows shot @ 4m blank target (blank butt is where the target has no target face on it, so you just shoot at empty space. It is generally to work on form so you do not focus on aiming on a specific point).

Points worked

• Pushing my bow arm down, outwards and then up
• Doing so assists in keeping the bow arm up with the pushing action

• Having a corkscrew action mental image, the rotation of the bow arm twist
• Assists in the rotation of the elbow and shoulder

• Hand contact on the face and jaw
• With pinky on the throat as usual, the contact along the face all the way to the webbing between my thumb and fingers, full length if possible

The most important things identified was my bow arm was dropping way too quick. Being able to maintain the bow arm and keeping it up means that my stance and core strength is working properly. It also means that I won't be dropping shots due to my arm dropping either.

It was also seen that I was obviously shooting too much draw weight due to how much I shook. I could shoot it, but it would not allow me to shoot at my best unless I got much stronger.

First Training Session

The dates on the posts won't actually match because it depends on entirely when I actually get around to blogging the stuff in my training diary, but I don't think it's that important about the dates but rather the content.

The only issue is that I can't include diagrams easily. I can draw them, but I don't have a really decent stable server space to upload and link to ~shrug~. I'll probably get around to it.

As a first post, the purpose of this blog.

When I started archery, it was for enjoyment. To this day, I still enjoy it and I dedicate a very large portion of my time, finances and mental capacity to it. It is actually one of the two sports that I have done for a long period of time, and unlike Fencing, it looks like I will be able to and quite happily continue for a time to come yet.

Last year, I was fortunate to finally find myself a coach. My coach is one of the nations best archers with consistent placings on the state ranking table, and also consistent placings on the national ranking table in the higher echelons. I really appreciate that he has taken the time for me to provide me with opportunity and support to grow. In a way, it is beneficial for me and him as I learn and grow with his knowledge and experience and he reinforces his own training and gets to work on new techniques in his own bank of skills. I personally think he actually quite enjoys coaching because I know he also really likes to help people out as long as they make it worth his time. Since I travel to see him, it doesn't put him out of his way, and our training method enables him to do his own training without me disrupting as I shoot on the same target as him, and he just watches me between his shots, and makes comments and adjustments as we go.

In order to actually get anywhere, a goal was required, so, we set me a goal to achieve. Goals must be something realistic, achievable in a realistic timeframe.

My original goal was to score 1200 in April 2007 at the 2007 Archery Australia Open National Championships. However, this blog is called the road to 1220 because my goal has been upgraded to 1220 since then, and I figured that it should probably start there. So, with that goal in mind, everything has been geared accordingly to that goal.

I hope you enjoy the journey of how far I get towards that 1220.