There is more to becoming an Archer than just shooting a bow. Anyone can use a bow to fling some arrows at a target. But to learn the skill and discipline of becoming an Archer takes some patience, effort and occasionally, a little advice.
Getting Started In Archery
As an Archer, I am not that good a shot, I would consider myself a descent shot on an average day and good on my very, very best days. A big reason for this is because I made ALL the mistakes I am cautioning you not to make. And it is hard to undo those bad habits of my past poor choices. Teaching others is actually helping me to overcome my shortfalls. Here are my 5 best tips for YOUR Archery Success!
Our 5 Best Tips For Archery Success
If you follow my best tips you are sure to have success as an Archer. Let’s get started with my top five tips below:
Determine Your Dominate Eye
You have a dominant eye that relays information more accurately to your brain, because it has more neural connections than your non-dominant eye. Determining your dominant eye is your first and most important step for Archery success. Be aware that your dominate eye can be different from your dominate hand.
It can be awkward using a bow with your non-dominate hand. But since you have never shot a bow before, you won’t know the difference. You are going to feel awkward anyway. But you are way, way better off using your dominate eye in shooting sports.
I am left handed and as a child everyone else was right handed. There was no one to teach me how to do things, like sports, left handed. So I was taught right handed. I could never quite throw a ball, hit a baseball, shoot a basketball or shoot a gun as good as my brothers. I just thought I wasn’t any good at sports. Looking back now, I believe part of it was because I was left eye dominate trying to do things right handed. It just doesn’t came as natural. I became right eye dominate over so much time acting right handed.
Do an eye dominance test and give yourself every advantage to be a successful archer. If you wear glasses or contacts, and plan to use them while shooting, make sure you have them on when do the test. It can sometimes affect the outcome.
Don’t Be Over-Bowed
Over-Bowing is when you use a bow that is too strong for you. When you are beginning, it is very easy to use a bow that is too strong for you. You order one online and instead of sending it back you keep it. You tell yourself you will get stronger. Someone gives or loans you a bow that is too strong and you use it because you don’t want to offend them. Or you think you are stronger than you are (this is common among the male of our species, author included).
Whatever the reason, don’t do it. You want to select a bow that you can pull to full draw and hold at anchor comfortably for a few seconds. This is key to being able to practice good form. And good form is what is going to help you progress to becoming a successful archer. You can’t practice good form with a bow you are struggling to pull or hold at anchor. You will get stronger and you may choose to use a stronger bow at some point, but the rule still applies.
Use A Shot Sequence
Use a shot or shooting sequence every time you shoot, for every arrow you shoot. A shot sequence is a progression of repeatable steps that take you through the shooting process from stance to follow through. This is what leads to good form. There are many to choose from. Every major archery discipline has one and they are all very similar. And for a good reason, they work.
Recently, I watched interviews with potential USA Olympic Archers. The question they were all asked was “What are you working on to prepare for the Olympics?”. Most of their answers were “improving on my shot sequence”.
The shot sequence is your road map to success as an Archer. Follow the steps each time you shoot and you will each your destination.
Start Close To The Target
When you shoot ,start close to your target. For an adult, 10 yards, for a child, 7-8 yards. Remember, at first practicing good form and using a shot sequence is more important than where you hit the target. You are using muscles and movement that are new to you. First shoot, using your shot sequence, until you are comfortable with this new process.
Next, pick a spot on the target, obviously the bullseye, focus on the smallest point in the center to shoot at. It doesn’t matter if you hit that tiny point. Do not change your aiming point. At this stage you just want to start to group your arrows together. The tighter the group the better. Once your arrows are grouping, then start to make aiming adjustments to hit your desired spot.
Stay close to the target until you can hit where you are aiming, or within a few inches, then move back another 3-5 yards and start the process again. As your distance progresses, occasionally go back to a shorter distance. This will help you make distance adjustments in your aim. If you feel yourself slipping, move back close again and perfect your form, build muscle memory.
Don’t Shoot Too Many Arrows
This is a common mistake (again, mostly in the male of our species). Don’t rush to improve by shooting so many arrows that your strength and focus start to diminish. You want to practice using your best form every time. When you tire your form starts to fall apart and you will see the results in your shooting.
Take a break when that happens! Don’t keep shooting, it only reinforces bad habits. If you can only shoot a 2 dozen arrows before tiring, that’s ok. If it is 1 dozen arrows, that’s ok too. If it is less than that, you may want to consider a lighter bow. It is better shoot a dozen arrows with good form, that “feel right”, than to shoot 50 with bad form.
DON’T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!!!
This is less of a tip and more of a happy outcome! Archery is about having fun and doing something that you love. As I have proven over the years, we don’t always have to be good at something to have fun doing it. Watching your arrows appear in the target , just where you were aiming, is exciting and addictive, bordering on magical. Archery is the most zen thing I have ever done. The process is calming and the focus is total. But, mostly it’s FUN!
Additional Resources for Archery Success
- Three Ways To Determine Eye Dominance
- How to Determine What Draw Weight Is Right For You
- Eleven Steps To Archery Success
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