any tips or hints on the best way to shoot a compound?

[Adam]

Seem to have gone off-topic a bit.

So, to bring things back in-line, maybe the best way to shoot a compound is to shoot all your arrows at the correct target!!

Adam

[jadlem]

Mini, back on topic:

Get your position relative to the shooting line and target correct. If this takes a couple of practise runs then so be it:

At full draw the bow should naturally be on target. Any arm movements or twisting will have an effect when you release, normally by the body reverting back to it's natural relaxed state. I first established I shoot with an open stance by drawing up and closing my eyes for 3 or 4 seconds. When you open them you will see your natural point of aim. Adjust this by shuffling your feet not moving your arm or twisting your body so that when you draw up and relax you are bang on target.

Pick an anchor point and stick with it!

Adjust your draw length so that your bow arm is slightly bent in both vertical and horizontal planes. This prevents the effect of locking your arm and having a small movement at your shoulder exagerated at the bow.

In addition to this you should aim to push the bow towards the target when you release: not up, not down or sideways straight towards the target. This cannot be done if your arm is fully extended.

A release aid should be used in the same way as a rifle trigger it should be squeezed consistently while you are aiming. If you do this the release should be a suprise!

The release aid shouldn't pull the string to one side or another. It should release back away from the bow in a line directly with the flight of the arrow. (or rather it affects the flight of the arrow in this way, so if it is pulled to one side the arrow will travel in this direction!)

Aim constantly by looking at the gold through the sight. Most compound unlimited archers use a big dot, this is bad news as the subconcious is better at getting rings concentric then puting a dot over something. Make sure you concentrate on the gold. The subconsious should do the rest for you!

Aiming really is the key.

A well balanced bow should help with follow through after the shot. Keep your eye on the gold till you hear the arrow hit. Don't drop your bow arm. This is quite hard work as most fully kitted unlimited compounds weigh a ton!

Practise all of this in your mind too without the bow. It all needs to happen without much thought when on the line. If you have to think about it, your not concentrating on the gold.

Hope this helps. Most of it is self taught but has been reinforced by some really experienced compound archers.

PS I used to shoot target rifle. This has been the biggest help to my compound shooting.

[Max]

Originally Posted by jadlem

PS I used to shoot target rifle. This has been the biggest help to my compound shooting.

You know, this really illustrates the importance of aiming. One thing has been very noticeable to me on talking to some very good archers - a lot had rifle shooting experience and were very good at aiming. Despite the totaly different feel, of (say) a recurve, the experience transferred well and got them high scores. Cheers for the observation Jadlem - good post.

[doubletop]

i agree with jadlem i shot in the army and being able to aim well has helped me shoot my bow confidently if not as well as i want the hardest thing to do ive found is to get a natural position if its not naturally aligned woth the target you are always forcing something to where u want it not letting it point naturally once you get a good position it is probably one of the biggest factors in my opinion to good shooting

[PaulT]

I agree, aiming is what this game is all about - but... aiming is not just lining up sight and target but rather about lining up your entire shot exactly the same every time. The sight and target is just one of several reference points.

[Marcus26]

Buy a book from a 'decent' coach, such as James Park's Mastering Compound Bows.
http://urbanarchery.com.au/product_i...roducts_id=315

Adam's advise is actually pretty good. It's not hard to shoot a compound bow well, it's just that many overcomplicate it.

[tel]

Adam's advise is actually pretty good. It's not hard to shoot a compound bow well....

...or any bow come to that. I didn't mean to sound dismissive of Adam's checklist - apologies if I did - I wish I could apply it as well as he does!

[joetapley]

but was going a bit better during the afternoon until I shot an arrow on the wrong face

Just modify the checklist

3. put the sight in the middle of the correct target

[Adam]

Originally Posted by joetapley

Just modify the checklist

3. put the sight in the middle of the correct target

Thanks for that bit of invaluable advice Joe.

Adam

[Max]

Originally Posted by Marcus26

Buy a book from a 'decent' coach, such as James Park's Mastering Compound Bows.

Marcus - thanks for the pointer towards this book. I had no idea it existed. I eventually managed to track a copy down in the UK (Archery World), along with James Parks 'Mastering Bow Tuning' which looked an equally valuable book. Cheers.