Nov 28, Tournament prep, 5:30 early start session

Wednesday Nov 28,JOAD & SOAD
6:30 indoor session.
+ 5:30 early start for those interested in tournament prep


Pleasereply with Wednesday , and the time attending in the subject line, and your name, and if right or left handed,
and, if adult or youth via learnarchery@yahoo.comif you have not already done so, so we have enough equipment and staff available .(must have completed orientation)

We will be indoors for Wednesday sessions.
New students may blend with the 6:30 regular,and SOAD and JOAD training class.
JOAD/SOAD:membership application


November 28

As so many students are considering tournaments, and many are attending the Dec 1st competition in Conyers, we will offer a 5:30 start for those wishing to shoot a 60 arrow run. This is an opportunity to test your endurance.
Students may also attend at 5:30 and leave at 6:30, or drop in at 6:30 at the regular time, what ever schedule works for you. We just wanted to offer this support to students as we were closed for the holiday on Sunday.

For those students that can not attend the Wednesday session, we encourage you to work with your stretch bands , and "holding" with equipment in front of a mirror, noting form elements that need correction, and time your holds. Start with no more than 30 seconds in best form (or less).Rest for twice as long. When your hold becomes deteriorated in form, stop. Don't practice bad habits. Keep the focus on form:hips and shoulders at different angles,head in a box, front bowarm shoulder down,alignment, back tension and use of back tension, and endurance.

For new students attending on Wednesday, we will practice basics and review basic elements.

Closed, Sunday Nov 25

Sunday Training Sessions, Closed for Thanksgiving.


Sunday Training Sessions, Closed for Thanksgiving.
Learn Archery will be closing for the Thanksgiving holiday and will not hold classes Sunday November 25
Classes will resume Wednesday, Nov 28 for the 6:30 session.
Thank You to all of our archery members and friends !
 We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!!
Coach Jefflyne
Coach Rip
Coach Zac

Nov 11: "Set", to "set-up"

Nov 11, 2012

Set-to “set-up”

The process from fully positioned body, hands and mind, from “set” to “set up, is a fluid, scooping , sweeping motion. The previous decisions for hand positions, draw and bow hand are “on purpose” and placed. The decision on what to aim at has been made. Keeping the shoulders low, the draw hand is held at position but raised up along the imaginary  “pole” near the arm pit, arms simply sweep up and finish “opening” the bow… “expanding” the bow. (thinking expand –NOT pull against), as there is no shift in foot balance, no leaning back to offset the weight the archer is pulling- it is an expansion. Bow Hand moves up above the target. Eyes remain focused on the target aim point. The bow is slightly left of the target, the arms at eye level. After the arms are at eye level, turn the shoulders toward the  bow arm (which is pointing to the side of the target) keeping hands in position, all at shoulder height, eyes focused on point of aim., wrist is near nose. Draw will start from THIS point.

November 4 2012: What are you aiming at?

November 4 2012

We had a great Pumpkin shoot last week-cold and windy, but the pumpkins , ghosts, and zombies were pummelled!

Eye focus-what are you aiming at?

Seems so simple, doesn’t it? Just aim at the gold and release!

Then why don’t all the arrows land in that sweet spot in the center?

Yes there are many factors in form that need to be addressed, but learning the technique for aiming can add improved results. The goal is to hit the target…so, be sure you are aiming at a very specific point on the target-not the aperture, not toward a target area, but a very specific point. Aiming is not done until the archer reaches “hold”. Aiming before that, produces inconsistent results. Aiming requires just a few seconds- but does require the few seconds, and we teach the basic 1,2,3 timing from the beginning.

Look around at trees, flags, items moved by wind. Feel the wind on your skin at “set”. The decision to aim at the x, or slightly off, is made at this point, not at full draw. Consciously getting to hold, then allow  the time to focus through the aperture to the point you are aiming at (and if windy, that point may be a little left, right, above, below). For barebow shooters-although there is no focus through the aperture-the training is the same.

A common break in eye focus is watching the arrow in flight-a quick turn of the head results in a change of eye focus right at the last second, changing the aiming point. Eyes should remain on the target at the chosen aiming point –“laser pointed”; head remains steady, fingers are released by the last rotation of the scapula to the spine.

We will review some focus drills students can do at home and in practice, to gain a calm, relaxed “moment of stillness”, and avoid the natural incessant scanning of the eye.
Take a look at Brady Ellison and how his eye focus remains at the target after the release of the arrow.