This past week I dedicated time to continue working with putting the release behind my first or second knuckle. The results were similar to last week; the second knuckle method feels really good and even better than the first knuckle method. However, my shooting tells a different story with the first knuckle method leading to more consistent and accurate shooting.
One thing that I think is happening is that with the second knuckle method I haven’t quite figure out how exactly to locate the release and to keep my hand and wrist completely relaxed. I’m able to achieve good relaxation when using just the release and practice loop, but when using a bow my wrist feels more tense. I’m not giving up yet as I feel the second knuckle method has a lot of promise, I just have been able to tap it’s full potential.
The past Saturday when I should have been shooting my weekly score, we had three kids’ soccer games in the morning, one of which I coached, and then somehow I got talked into going fishing! It ended up raining most of the afternoon and would have been bad shooting condition anyhow (at least that’s my justification for going fishing over practice.) That left today, Monday, for shooting. Unfortunately after I finished coaching soccer practice, the clouds had rolled in and by the time I got home and had the kids settled, it was getting dark fast. I still managed to get in one round of blank bale shooting and a full Vegas score done before I couldn’t clearly see the target.
The good news is that I finished the round, the bad news is that I re-learned a valuable lesson. In my rush to finish shooting, I took several shots that I either rushed or should have let down on. There is no excuse for this and I would have been better off to take quality shots even if it meant not finishing the round. Each rushed shot usually consisted of barely settling on the target and punching the release. Yes, you heard it right, I punched it using back tension.
Many people mistakenly think that back tension eliminates punching. This is far from the truth and anyone that has shot much back tension will surely tell you it is very possible to pop your back muscles together in a quick fashion that results in a shot that isn’t so far from hammering on the trigger with your finger or thumb. It is extremely bad on your form and can result in doing more harm then good for that practice session. In my case, it’s very evident when I took a quality shot and when I rushed it. Lesson learned and guilt felt!
Other posts you may enjoy:
- 300 days to 300 – Day 21 update
- 300 days to 300 – Day 84 update
- Archery Practice Loop: Tool of a Thousand Uses
- 300 days to 300 – Day 14 update
- 300 days to 300 – Day 7 update
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been following your progress. I am not far off of your results. My best was this evening when I got the first 20 arrows in the ten circle and 27 out of thirty in the 10 circle. I have been putting as much time into strength training as archery practice and am seeing dramatic results. I am waling for 20 minutes about every other day with 6 lb weights held at arms length as long as I can stand, working out on a rowing machine almost every morning for 10 to 20 minutes, doing a little yoga, pulling elastic bands across my chest, pulling a 45lb fishing bow as many times as I can in a row, doing crunches, and push ups. All of this is helping me hold steadier. Holding steadier allows a proper release. I have gone to a low wrist potions per Bernie’s Idiot proof archery book and set my draw length according to his calculation. This has put my drawing arm at the proper angle which allows use of the back muscles for back tension. I have been at this game for two years, and this is the first time I have felt like I can really get somewhere and achieve a relaxed no punch back tension release.
-Patrick
Thanks for the comments Patrick. I’ve also been working on strength with a bunch of yoga thrown in. One thing I’ve found very useful is doing the yoga poses that put all your weight on your arms (plank, dolphin, downward dog, etc.) and hold those until my arms literally shake and I can not longer support myself. It’s all taking time, but it’s worth it!