My Basic Shot Sequence

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Apr 24, 2013
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Hawaii
Aloha Guys,

Over the past couple weeks I've been asked to share my shot sequence. I had some time today, so I put together a quick video. Please keep in mind that there are many ways to shoot a stickbow. This is just my preferred method at the current time.

[video=youtube_share;H5x3Iw29joA]http://youtu.be/H5x3Iw29joA[/video]

Thank you!
Ryan
 
I never thought about your back being a "first anchor"...thanks for your breakdown. I think a consistent shot sequence kills me as far as accuracy and arrow flight.
 
You're welcome Halleywood.
For me the back keeps everything in "control". It's like the "base" or "foundation" to my shooting. This shot sequence has been working well for me in the field.

Ryan
 
More good stuff Ryan.

Having a sequence does make a difference, as opposed to just "taking a shot".

Also, making a video of your shot sequence is very informative.
 
Thank you LostArra.

For myself, I need a shot sequence. It's easier to breakdown when my shooting is suffering. I'm able to just change one thing in the sequence to see if it helps. A shot sequence also helps to keep me consistent. Once I find a sequence that works for me, I'll keep repeating until it's second nature or ingrained.
 
This was great. I also never thought to so consciously use my back.Should certainly help my struggle with traditional shooting. You mentioned seeing the "gap". Would you say you gap shoot or shoot all instinctively? Anyway will certainly check out the rest of your videos.
 
This was great. I also never thought to so consciously use my back.Should certainly help my struggle with traditional shooting. You mentioned seeing the "gap". Would you say you gap shoot or shoot all instinctively? Anyway will certainly check out the rest of your videos.

Bear with me as I'll try my best to explain my aiming system. I've tried all types of aiming systems in the past and so far this has been working the best for me in the field, but it has decreased my effective range.

I'll try to first explain a few things of how I understand them.

Gap at the Bow: Think about compound sights and how the gap at the bow's riser increasingly get smaller in relation to the arrow and the sights as the shooting distances increase.

Gap at the Target: This gap is different. At a close range, the gap will start off small then increase and then decrease until there is no gap or your arrow is point on. For example (this is only an example, I don't have any correct numbers at the top of my head) let's say at 5 yards your arrow is pointing 6" below the spot you want to hit, then at 20yds, your arrow is pointing 18" below the spot and at 40yds, your gap at the target is again 6" below the spot and maybe your point on is 45yds. This gap will vary on speed, arrow length, anchor, etc...

Instictive From what I understand, guys explain it as "throwing a ball", just look at your target and shoot. Some say that you never see your arrow. I've never been an instinctive shot by this definition.

For my aiming, I start with a pre-aim. I use my arrow to set my windage. Once that is on, I do set a gap, but this is where it gets weird. It's not a dedicated gap where I'm holding off target so many inches, I'm almost going by feel. The gap just looks right and feels right. I guess you could call it an instinctive-gap. LOL! I did have to learn this gap though. To learn or get a feel for this so called gap, you'll have to practice this pre-aim regiment. Set the pre-aim, go through your shot sequence, and you'll find if your elevation was too high or too low once your arrow hits the target. First I try to practice at dedicated yardages, then once I'm comfortable I'll only shoot one arrow and constantly mix the yardages on every shot. I also use really bright feathers, I'll set the gap, shoot the shot, then track the arrows trajectory until the arrow hit it's intended mark.(This is one reason that once I get a bow set-up, I don't like to change, unless I can get a very similar trajectory.)

Now back to my aiming process. So I pre aim, set windage, set my instinctive gap, then I'll continue to my shot sequence. All the while, I'm looking at the intended spot. Once I hit my face anchor, I start to refine my aiming. This is where most of my focus turns to the spot itself. Although I see the arrow, it's only in my peripheral vision at this time. If I let off a good shot, the split second before I release, my focus is 100% on the spot.

Sorry if this got confusing. I just took the fun right out of traditional bows... LOL! :D
 
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Ryan, what you are describing is gap shooting, but you've done enough repititions, that you've essentially started to shoot what most folks like to refer to as "instinctive".

Rod Jenkins teaches essentially the same thing in his classes, learn your gaps, and then eventually, they'll become second nature. His shot sequence is also similar to your's, and I agree, that without an ingrained shot sequence, I'm not sure how anyone could accurately shoot a longbow or recurve.
 
Thank you for the clarification Eagle.

Can you tell that I watched Masters of the Barebow? :D Rod Jenkins is such cool guy. He helped me a few times with the tuning process when I first started out. I also got to meet him in Michigan at one of the trad events. He's been very influential in my stickbow shooting and I'm thankful for all the things he has shared!
 
Nice sequence. I'm going to put some more focus on my back as an anchor. I think I have been shooting more along the lines of instinctive thus far. I try to line up my pointer finger knuckles with each other and the the target. It seems to work good to about 15 yards if I get a good release and follow through. After that I think the arrow drop starts to really come into play. Putting more technique and sequence into my shooting should increase my consistency at longer range.
 
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