All Sunday Sessions are planned for outdoors-the weather is predicted to be beautiful!!
Back to basics. String release-relax! Tournament basics.
Last week we worked on some basics in fundamental equipment
tuning, including checking brace height. We worked on the draw hand in set
position, and raising it up.
This week we will again address the draw hand- the fingers
on the string, and getting them relaxed by working with paint can- drop
training.
We will also put a focus on basics in a tournament,
procedures, what to wear, and how archers are assigned to targets, as many
tournaments are going on this month.
Our new Wednesday sessions have begun, and the 4:30 JOAD youth session is doing great! The 6:30 open training session is small, and we were shooting distances outdoors last Wednesday in the wonderful weather. Join us!!
Image Courtesy: Fundamentals of Recurve Archery, Ruth
Rowe
Courtesy: Fundamentals of Recurve Archery, Ruth
Rowe
September
2: Make it Personal!
September Sessions begin! Tournament Listings.
Last week we
had our new split Sunday sessions, and it worked very well. The weather
cooperated, and we were outside all day. Parker Bows set up inside and let
folks try out crossbows that were attending the big anniversary sale at Big
Woods Goods.
Several students worked on some distance shooting for rank, and preparing for
upcoming tournaments .
The balloon shoot and nock out games demonstrated some tough competition, and
some very skilled archers, and we finally had winners in the hot soda rounds
!!. Make it personal. When students set up their own equipment, there are
various ranges offered. A brace height on a 66" recurve bow may have a
range of 8"-9.25". Each archer "tunes" their equipment to
their shooting style. With time consuming, methodical brace height adjustment
testing, the correct brace height has been reached when the sound is quiet at
launch, and the group is at it's tightest. If an archer numbers the arrows, and
shoots them in order several times, noting an errant arrow as the same numbered
arrow each time, the archer can know the equipment needs adjusting rather than
wondering "what did I do?". If shot in reverse (6,5,4,3,2,1-and now
#1 is always out-the archery may be fatiguing.
Many champions create their own grips by using an epoxy putty, better suiting
the hand position, and, they may wrap their grips to keep better control of the
grip in the rain or sweaty heat. Slight adjustments in a nock, or changing to a
string nock or metal nock can change the flight of the arrow by making the
string cause the arrow to be stiffer, or weaker, flying more left...or right.
As students begin to consider tournaments, "personalizing" their set
up becomes very important.
Set This week, we will work on getting the string pulled back
and in position, before "riding the string hand up the pole." To participate this
Sunday, Existing students: please reply with Time and days selected in the subject line, and your name, right or left handed, and if
adult or youth via learnarchery@yahoo.com if you have not already done so, so we have
enough equipment and staff available 11:30 Session:Outdoors; Head to the back parking lot and outdoor range
to check in( do not access outdoor range from inside of building.) 3:00 session: (closed to new September orientation
students)Please go
the rear of the store to the archery range at Big Woods Goods to sign in, and
gear up.(Weather permitting, we may shift outdoors.) 4:30 Wednesday youth
session : Please go the rear of the store to the
archery range at Big Woods Goods to sign in, and gear up. Must be a JOAD member
to participate. membership
application 6:30 Wednesday session: Please go the rear of the store to the
archery range at Big Woods Goods to sign in, and gear up
News: Reminder: Sunday Morning & Wednesday eve sessions We now have an OUTDOOR session scheduled at 11:30 am on Sunday mornings. Existing Students:To participate in Sunday sessions, please note which time is selected in your subject line: 11:30 OR 3:00 New Students from September:Please advise if attending Sunday morning, or Wednesday afternoon or evening September 5: Wednesday afternoon youth and evening mixed classes begin . Wednesday afternoon after-school JOAD program starts at 4:30. Please register interest at doodle link, . New early evening 6:30 pm mixed youth/adult Open Training Session, similar to the Sunday drop-in session format, please email if planning to attend (same as Sunday-RH/LH etc). Mid-week sessions provide an opportunity to add more practice time, and keep skill levels consistent.
Note: For any outdoor sessions: Please, DO NOT use the side door of the parking lot for access to the outdoor range or for entry to the building. Staff Access/emergency exit only!!
Upcoming Tournaments:
September 8 South Eastern 720 Part I Regional, Lavonia, Georgiaregistration
September 8 or 9 Huntsville, 8th annual Fall 900 round, Huntsville ALregistration
Sept 22, 23:Conyers GA State Target Championships, FITAregistration
Last week members of the JOAD and SOAD programs scored and earned rank and pins, and awards will be presented on Sunday (everyone did GREAT!)
This week, we will have the balloon shoot game along with the "knock-out" game. Everyone, please stretch out, get your gear set up and select 1 balloon to blow up and put in the big bag with your symbol or initial.
We will have a few warm up rounds of "knock-out"and start the games.
Knock-Out: Strategy and skill as a warm up game... 3 arrows. Blue and better scored arrows are kept to shoot for the next round. Next round: red and better are kept. Next round "8" and better are kept (arrows are getting down to one or two in a quiver ,and usually only one or two competitors are still standing. Down to Gold!!!(with what's left in your quiver) (those Knocked-out, may begin practice for the balloon games)
Balloon Shoot:The idea is shoot YOUR balloon first, before your competitor pops theirs.They then step off, and you shoot for theirs. If you shoot theirs first accidentally-they win and they move to the next round.You will be out a round, but can restart shooting, independent of the game,with others to create an underlying game. Strategy is important.Timing is important. Use the skills we've trained for in these games
News: New Session Added! We now have an OUTDOOR session scheduled at 11:30 am on Sunday mornings. To participate in Sunday sessions, please note which time is selected in your subject line: 11:30 OR 3:00
Upcoming weekday afternoon and evening classes posting soon. If you are interested in a Wednesday afternoon afterschool JOAD program starting at 4:30 please let us know. We are also seeing how much interest there is in an early evening 6:30 pm mixed youth/adult Open Training Session, similar to the Sunday session format. Mid-week sessions provide an opportunity to add more practice time, and keep skill levels consistent.
Note: For any outdoor sessions: Please, DO NOT use the side door of the parking lot for access to the outdoor range or for entry to the building. Staff Access/emergency exit only!!
Tournaments coming:
August 25-26, 2012 THE 16th ANNUAL NATIONAL TRADITIONAL ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIP, Lansing, Michigan 48910
September 8 South Eastern 720 Part I Regional, Lavonia, Georgia
September 8 or 9 Huntsville, 8th annual Fall 900 round, Huntsville AL
Sept 22, 23:Conyers GA State FITA
To participate this Sunday, please reply with Time selected in the subject line, and your name, 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 11:30 Session:Head to the back parking lot and outdoor range 3:00 session: Please go the rear of the store to the archery range at Big Woods Goods to sign in, and gear up.
recurve bow and all safety equipment. Continuing, ongoing instruction , accommodating various skill levels,covering: refining form, understanding equipment needs, equipment purchasing options, tournament rules, timing, string alignment, concentration, back tension.
Class fee for open sessions as posted at the Canton location is $15.00, check or cash ·Put your sight on the bow to learn where it is set based on the distance you shoot, and check the left/ right position of the aperture. Wear snug fitting, layered clothing, wear CLOSED TOE SHOES ( must have closed toe shoes for out doors or can not shoot), tie loose hair back, and remove jewelry that may interfere with string release (usually bracelets, necklaces). See you on the range!
AHHHH...what happens to all the well
trained-in "form" when a tournament comes up?
How does your routine work when the need to make the high score, or beat the
other competitors and take home the gold medal, trophy or the coveted "hot
Soda", comes into play?
Each month, on the third weekend we score.
New students begin to learn the ins and outs of what each ring is worth, the
power of the lines that edge the rings, and what arrows may help in a strategy
to gain points . Archers keep score and may keep the scorecards to have a log
of their own progress. If students are a member of the JOAD/SOAD program, they
can turn in cards for rank and pin awards. This continual "dry-run"
makes scoring at an event more comfortable and into a no-brainer.
When an archer concentrates on score, or outcome, they give themselves a
disadvantage. Keeping the mind on the process, each step...each piece...one
after another, gives the most composure, and best results.
We will score as we have in the past,
shooting the outdoor rounds - 36 arrows (12 ends - 3 arrows each, or those with their own arrows: 6 arrows x 6 ends) , or, indoor rounds - 30 arrows ( 10 ends -3
arrows each -or 6 for those with their own arrows), and all participants must be on the appropriate target face at appropriate distance.Two (+)archers scoring and checking together.
New archers will learn how to score, the meaning of the rings and appropriate conduct and procedures. JOAD/ SOAD may turn in scorecards for achievement awards. If not
thunderstorming, ALL students, please head to the pavilion at the outdoor range from the back parking lot to check in.
Please DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING FROM THE SIDE DOOR of the parking
lot!!!!
Everyone has been working hard at acquiring new tools and
techniques in training during the 2012 Olympics. Sunday, August 12 we tried a few
variations on focus and score. We had a large turn out, and divided into 2 groups: advanced/seasoned JOAD/SOAD went outdoors, and the novice/ new students were indoors.
Before each round, we announced the instructions from a
sheet, which determined the value of the rings and scoring.
Examples:
Normal
scoring applies
Reverse
scoring
Ignore all
golds
Whites
score 20
Two or
more arrows in the same color score nothing for those arrows
Negative
scoring (you lose the number of points that you have scored)
July 29,we split into rotating groups and worked on several
training techniques, just like athletes use to train at the training camps,
including the SPT timed draw and hold, blank bale shooting, and understanding
"holding" with pressure points.
August 5th we practiced several mental exercises, which can prepare an
archer to not only handle nerves if they choose to compete, but to maintain the
focus on the process in any type of shooting. Centering silence, breathing, and visualization are key to maintaining composure and progress. We coupled it with some
simple physical techniques of stretch band work to aid in muscle memory, and followed the training
with shooting.
Last week we had "competitions"
with the balloon shoot game along with the "knock-out" game, and,
JOAD Achievement awards were given during class from the previous weeks scoring
rounds.
It was a tough competition, as the final balloon was not taken-it was so small
that many of our shooters tried, and it remained on target-intact!
The games, soda rounds, and monthly scoring- all are designed to look at
training in
different ways. Changing the focus from "gold", to colors, or even
balloons, resets the thinking, reminding us to always keep focusing on the
form, the next step.
Several typical training techniques at Olympic Training camps involve
repetitive
practice routines.
In many sports, training is built one element upon the next...a
"chunk" training. Whether it's karate,basketball, boxing or football,
certain movements or activities occur repeatedly while executing the sport, and
those elements are broken down and given as a single piece to add into the
whole process. This Sunday, we will break down several elements and
practice those "parts". Keep up with the games:http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/archery/ And ongoogle
For training on the 26th, we
split into rotating groups and worked on several training techniques, just like
athletes use to train at the training camps, including the SPT timed draw and
hold, blank bale shooting, and understanding "holding" with pressure
points.
We put the blog on the back burner for about a year, and have been using our mail program to reach students. Several students have said they are not receiving the mail blasts for upcoming classes so we will post the plan for the classes and reviews of events on this blog. The link will be sent to those on the student list. Please check for updates if you do not receive an announcement-particularly gmail and mindspring accounts. The filters often stop our Mailchimp program. If you place learnarchery@yahoo.com on your address book or add yourself to the newsletter, it should help.
The Awesome Adventures team came into Atlanta to find new and exciting things to do.
They visited a lot of landmark spots, and came to Learn Archery at the Canton location at Big Woods Goods, for a "basics" lesson.
The Atlanta Show aired Aug27, 8 a.m. on Fox 5 Atlanta.
Great group of talented folks-a delight to work with!
Basic equipment fundamental-how to apply a nock to the string, use of a bow square for the measurements. Types of nock locator's-string, . Using one...or two? what difference does it make?
Had a great turn out - 12 new students,and several really good shooters . For our "soda Round" we had a head to head competition, as the" three in the gold standard" was met by 2 students.
One winner rose to the challenge!
July 30 : balloon shoot/competition. Everyone, please stretch out, get your gear set up and select some balloons to blow up and put them in the big bag. The idea is to form teams, and shoot YOUR balloon first, before your competitor pops theirs. They step off and you shoot for theirs. If you shoot theirs accidentally-they win and move to the next round. Slowly one champion will remain.
This Sunday, we will score. Those that know how to score will do a complete round of 30 arrows for a base score. New shooters can do several ends to learn the process.
Please arrive a few minutes early, and remember to do the warm up exercises. Put your sight on the bow to learn where it is set based on the distance you shoot, and check the left/ right position of the aperture. Begin to know your distances and target face size by putting them on the appropriate target, and distance. (new students are at 9 meters, seasoned , or students hitting red or better 3 times in a row, move to the 18 meter distance. 60 cm face for youth. 40 cm, compound, tournament youth, adults.)
To participate this Sunday, please reply with your name, right or left handed, and if adult or youth via learnarchery@yahoo.com if you have not already done so.
Please arrive a few minutes early, and remember to do the warm up exercises. Put your sight on the bow to learn where it is set based on the distance you shoot, and check the left/ right position of the aperture. Begin to know your distances and target face size by putting them on the appropriate target, and distance. (new students are at 9 meters, seasoned , or students hitting red or better 3 times in a row, move to the 18 meter distance. 60 cm for youth. 40 cm, compound, tournament youth, adults.)
Wear snug fitting clothing, wear CLOSED TOE SHOES, tie loose hair back, and remove jewelry that may interfere with string release (usually bracelets, necklaces).
Class fee is $15.00-
Sunday. we will focus on the mental aspect of training. We have used the training log sheets before to check our grouping, but what are we thinking about and how do we get to that "Zen" relaxed moment to release?
An excellent book: Lanny Bashams, With Winning in Mind: The Mental Management System: An Olympic Champion's Success System
We also took time at the July 10 class to look at and compare a handmade self/barebow, a tournament bow, and compound bow, and discuss brace height and the common element in shooting form for all this equipment.
Sunday July 10
Hope everyone had a great 4th!
We will be back at training, Sunday. Class starts at 3 p.m.
Bring a shoelace-wide , long (can be colorful or with a pattern if you like) and you can make your own bow slings, sized to fit your hand.
To participate this Sunday, please reply with your name, right or left handed, and if adult or youth via learnarchery@yahoo.com if you have not already done so.
Training: “sit dog”
We started with “halt dog” to get the proper “v” in our bow hand position. Depending on the type of bow and style you shoot, gripping of the bow and dropping the bow arm creates errors at the last moment of the shot, and the idea is to shoot the bow and arrow at the same time…so the hand holding the bow must be relaxed, but purposeful ,so the sling can do its job as the bow seemingly “jumps” from the hand toward the target and rotates as the sling catches it.
From the wrist-“sit dog!” with the sling doing the work to catch the bow.
A motion design to give forward direction and release to the bow. Bow arm stays STEADY. Only the wrist breaks with purpose, and it is a downward wrist motion. Slight tension in the open thumb of the bow hand.
Look at the difference between Olympic athlete Brady Ellisons “8” and “10” with the sit dog controlled bow hand http://youtu.be/quM_nJZ1DGQ
Sunday:
As you arrive and sign in, remember to do the warm up exercises. Put your sight on the bow to learn where it is set based on the distance you shoot, and check the left/ right position of the aperature. Begin to know your distances and target face size by putting them on the appropriate target, and distance. (new students are at 9 meters, seasoned , or students hitting red or better 3 times in a row, move to the 18 meter distance. 60 cm for youth. 40 cm, compound, tournament youth, adults.)
This one hour class allows students to gear up & continue with training basics in safety and form .
Coach supervised training includes recurve bow and all safety equipment. Continuing, ongoing instruction , accommodating various skill levels covering: refining form, understanding equipment needs, equipment purchasing options, tournament rules, timing, string alignment, concentration, back tension.
Wear snug fitting clothing, wear CLOSED TOE SHOES, tie loose hair back, and remove jewelry that may interfere with string release (usually bracelets, necklaces).
Class fee is $15.00- cash or check to Learn Archery (sorry-no debit cards).
We have 11 participants and will hold the training session July 3. (BWG may still be cooking hot dogs at the front door for the July 4th celebration!)
We had a great 1st Saturday Orientation Saturday the 2nd with lots of really good shooters, and closed with a 3 person, 3 in the gold, shoot off for the "hot soda". Winner scored 30 ! Wow-what a score for a newbie!
Training: Arrow Patterns We will continue with specific training tomorrow working with "blue tape". Where are your arrows landing? what quadrant? We will section targets off with the tape and as you shoot , rather than focus on the Gold, focus on process, and you will see the pattern and how they reveal what to adjust in equipment or form. I will have sheets for you to record patterns over various ends.
Numbering arrows, shooting them in order This process gives indications as to arrow errors, or form errors, and shows up in the patterns. It's easier with your own set of arrows because you begin to notice groups forming within the dozen arrows you shoot, but still very effective with the program arrows. Shooting 1,2,3,4,5,6 then 6,5,4,3,2,1...if 6 is always out no matter which sequence you shoot, it is not you. Arrow nocks can be off just a hair and cause variations.
Please arrive a few minutes early to gear up, put your sight on the bow and sign in. Begin to know your distances and target face size by putting them on the appropriate target.
This one hour class allows students to gear up & continue with training basics in safety and form .
Coach supervised training includes recurve bow and all safety equipment. Continuing, ongoing instruction , accommodating various skill levels covering: refining form, understanding equipment needs, equipment purchasing options, tournament rules, timing, string alignment, concentration, back tension.
Wear snug fitting clothing, wear CLOSED TOE SHOES, tie loose hair back, and remove jewelry that may interfere with string release (usually bracelets, necklaces).
Class fee for open sessions as posted at the Canton location is $15.00- sorry-no checks or debit cards.
To participate this Sunday, June 26, please reply with your name, right or left handed, and if adult or youth via learnarchery@yahoo.com so we can be sure to have enough equipment.
Please arrive a few minutes early to gear up, put your sight on the bow and sign in. Begin to learn your distances and target face size by putting them on the appropriate target.
This one hour class allows students to gear up & continue with training .
We have been working on scoring and understanding the ins and outs of the process. We have also been fine tuning the form elements and breathing.
Breathing Breathing should be as consistent as the other elements of your "process". Timing is a big part of the steps you are going through. If you take a deep breath and hold it, then pull back the bow string, you will find that you are "up in your chest" and loose the flat back and center core stability. The sight will jump and beat with your heart, making aiming challenging, and you may release the string prematurely because you simply can't hold your breath anymore. Breathing should be timed to bring air in as you open the bow, and slowly let about half of fit out as you come to rest at full draw anchor. Practice this at home with a string or stretch band, and when ever possible, practice in front of a mirror so you can see the results of the changes you make in your body position.
Ongoing Sunday Training Sessions continue:held in Canton at Big Woods Goods archery range on Sundays from 3-4 p.m..
For those that have completed the orientation session on June 4th at "First Saturday":
To participate this Sunday, please reply with your name, right or left handed, and if adult or youth via here: learnarchery@yahoo.com so I have enough equipment.
We had a hot soda winner last Sunday!
We had three from the beginner orientation all hit "3 in the gold" for the hot soda competition on June 4th.
The 10, 10, 9 took the soda!
Many are getting quite skilled and are out at the 40 cm /18 meter distance-we have several bare-bow shooters that are really grouping out there too.
The close distance remains for our new shooters, and for those that are working on a specific skill using "blank bale" close training.
Come in a few minutes early to gear up, put your sight on the bow if using program equipment ,and sign in.
Winner from June 4
Orientation
Begin to know your distances and target face size by putting them on the appropriate target. This one hour class allows students to gear up & continue with training basics in safety and form .
Wear snug fitting clothing, wear CLOSED TOE SHOES, tie loose hair back, and remove jewelry that may interfere with string release (usually bracelets, necklaces).
Class fee for open sessions as posted at the Canton location is $15.00 ( sorry-no credit or debit cards.)
Session will be back open tomorrow. Sessions start at 3:00.
Once you have completed the orientation session, and perhaps further training, join the group for Ongoing Training Sessions held in Canton at Big Woods Goods archery range on Sundays from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
To participate this Sunday, please reply with your name, right or left handed, and if adult or youth here, via learnarchery@yahoo.com ,so I will have enough RH and LH bows.
Training Tip:
If you have your stretch bands- look in the mirror and practice form and release. If you don't have a training band yet, you can still stand in front of a mirror and place a piece of tape on the mirror as a target point to laser point your eyes to, and go through your shooting sequence.
Setting up a list of your steps is important. Get a piece of paper or a small notebook and begin with "stance"; make a mental note of how your feet should be placed on the line and under your shoulders-are they at the same angle? Feet parallel? and continue from there.
If in front of the mirror, look at your form and how your feet are positioned
.
You can make a string band from a luggage tape or thin rope so you have a "stop" when you pull back on the loop and anchor under your chin.
If you have your own equipment, you can do the same training , except for string release part, but hold under your chin and time it as long as you can hold in correct form.
Rest for twice the time you held.
Repeat.
This training builds strength and ability to hold steadily those few (3) seconds you are aiming.
