Archery

TRADITIONAL ARCHERY IS A MARTIAL ART FOR ME

Traditional archery is growing very quickly for the first time in many years.  The fun in archery is being rediscovered and so is the natural skill.  No extra equipment to help frees us up and allows natural skills to surface, much like the natural skill for throwing something or hitting a ball.  Much of what I am talking about is present in the extreme sports that are being done.  Timing and judgement are displaying fantastic abilities we never thought possible.  Some of this extreme approach is moving in instinctive bare bow shooting as well.

This blog is in place so I can express and share my thoughts in this great activity and you can add your comments as well.

My first focus will be on shooting a bare bow based on what I found works well for everyone just follow the a,b,c, of the following system.  Any questions or wanting first hand lessons contact me at 905-410-1141.

Stay tuned guys and gals

Fred Walker

THINGS NOT TO DO WHILE SHOOTING

Here are TEN things to stop doing when shooting instinctive.

Do not shoot groups. It is best to change targets at ramdom to create a "natural" ability to place your bow hand at the exact spot to launch the arrow.

Do not second guess your bow arm.

Do not snap shoot or release the arrow as soon as you reach your face, or when the impulse encourages. It is best to hold for a couple of seconds to stablize your bow before release.

Do not tell yourself to release, allow it to happen naturally on its own.

Do not think about anything when target shooting.

Do not think or evaluate your success by where the arrow lands when working technique.

Do not talk to yourself before shooting or during the process.

Do not look down the arrow to "aim".

Do not use the tip of the arrow to gauge the "gap" . Although many shoot well using this system, it is usually limited to target shooting under controlled environment.

Do not concern yourself over the posibility of loosing your arrow. This the biggest reason archers mess up. I speak from personal experience.

Hope this helps guys and gals. Any comments welcome pros or cons.

HAVE A PROCESS FROM BEGINNING TO END

All serious archers must have a shooting system and process that is repeatable and user-friendly.

  Over the years of shooting I searched and tried many systems promoted by serveral well know archers and when getting mixed results I changed equipment several times because it had to be the equipment if the celebrity archers were right.  I continued on this path until target panic started from doubting myself.  I was ready to quit because it was stressful at every turn.  I looked at the best shooter in North America and still was not getting it so for my last attempt I phoned Rick Welch and as asked if I could come down and take his two day private one on one instruction program.  He did what he could to make it affordable and I went to Arkansa.  This turned everything around for me.  The results and system was great and archery was saved which meant KTAC was founded and built at my home for every traditional archer to enjoy.  I am telling this story so you can understand why and what I have to offer to you.  Rick Welch won 50 National/World championships and over 200 state championships.  No one I am aware of has matched this including the great Howard Hill.  What I teach has been proven over 20 years not by me but by Rick Welch and therefore this is all I teach.  Take it or leave it, this is the best instinctive shooting system available.  Many are copying put not giving credit where credit is due. If you want to learn first hand contact Rick Welch and go to him for a couple of days, or come to me and I will share all for a fraction of the cost.   Now lets get back to some good useable advice.

You must have a repeatable system and repeat it every time without fail.

Start with stance with bow in hand and relax both mentally and physically while taking some deep breaths.  Do not look in the direction of your choosen shot. Your breathing is going to play a very important role as you develop your process so paying attention to it now will be a smart move.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2zGnxeSbb3g

THIS IS AMAZING AND INTERESTING AT THE SAME TIME AND ONLY POSSIBLE WITH INSTINCTIVE SHOOTING.  Go to "Guest" tab to make comments please. What you are seeing in the utube above is NOT what I am sharing, but does demonstrate the extreme level of shooting skill possible.

PRACTICE ROUTINE

One needs to set aside a time to practice shooting both for form and technique or targeting. NEVER DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

When working on technique repeat every detail never taking short cuts trying to develope a "feel" for the complete process.  Make everything as natural as possible.  This way you will identify what went wrong should a shot not be on target when shooting to hit where you are looking and how to fix it next shot.

One of the biggest mistakes I made and I watch others doing the same is to constantly change and adjust their shooting technique trying to fix what went wrong.  When things start going wrong don't change equipment or search out yet another system of shooting.  Do not learn a system and right off make changes even while learning the system.  This is another mistake I see very often and have done myself.  This shatters the process or system offered.  Instinctive shooters seem to think all they have to do is keep doing what ever they want and eventually they will master it.  This will lead to frustration and variable results which in the end will lead to target panic if not addressed.

I'll be back FW