Needing a Pep Talk... :(

[Witchie Poo Cat]

Thanks guys, your kind words are greatly appreciated.

I think my problem is that when it comes to academic or knowledge type things I can pick things up very quickly, I'm a fast learner. However, put me in a practical situation such as archery (or driving, have never completed a course of lessons yet and have started MANY times!) and I get frustrated very quickly when Im just not picking things up as fast as I do in other situations.

GreenSteve - you are right, it is half the battle when you know whats wrong so you can work on those things. Whats worse though is knowing its wrong and trying, but failing, to get it right!

Geoff - yep, i get the analogy perfectly and can certainly relate to it!

Rachel - thanks for the reassurance. I learned very quickly on here that you cant get away with anything - if there is inuendo to be found in a post, someone will find it!

Dave - thanks for the reality check. I think perhaps I should lower my expectations, maybe that would help?!

Ruth - I totally understand what you are saying. I was just surprised that different arrows could make a difference at 20 yards! Cant imagine at this stage ever getting my arrow to fly 50+ yards!!

[Mufti]

In the grand scheme of things no one would expect fantastic results after only 4 lessons.

No need to get depressed at all - hitting the target is a major step forward from lesson number one I bet

Take a mini break if it gets you down when you are shooting, watch the other archers and take a coffee/tea break, think about life's grand scheme.

Then go back and "have at it".

I often find myself taking a step back and thinking about things more than actually shooting these days. So much of the shot is inside my brain that the physical side is slowly becoming automatic (at last).

[Old Bloke]

Witchie poo Cat, a little word in your ear.......as you are an absolute beginner, I have to inform you that, by chance, you have probably started in the hardest sport of all........ARCHERY.
Like I said in the e-mail to you...learn your skills, learn the art of archery......this is a career sport and above all and I know it is difficult..DO NOT BEAT YOURSELF UP.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Witchie Poo Cat

Dave - thanks for the reality check. I think perhaps I should lower my expectations, maybe that would help?!

Don't lower your expectations - just work towards them a bit at a time

[FlightyRachel]

Originally Posted by Witchie Poo Cat

Rachel - thanks for the reassurance. I learned very quickly on here that you cant get away with anything - if there is inuendo to be found in a post, someone will find it!

That's my trouble, I'm too innocent for this world, really.

I've just changed arrows and am finding my shooting really..um..sucks at the moment, so I can identify!

Rachel

[numpty]

Dont worry WPC. I've being shooting for nearly 2 years and I'm still c**p at it. But I love the sport. So no need to worry we all go through those " Why did I ever start this sport" Moments. All I can say is enjoy it . Dont worry about things as time goes by you'll get better and you'll look back in 6 months and laugh at this. So Chill out sit down and have a Hot Sweet Cuppa.

[clickerati]

Instead of beating yourself up, revel in your crapness. I do. It makes it a lot more fun!!

[General Dogs]

I too am four weeks into my beginners course and found myself shooting good groups consistently at 10 and 15m. At 20m it took several ends to get it anything like right.

At 30m it all went horribly wrong.

What I found was that at the shorter distances, the arrows do not have time to splay apart on their flight so you get a slightly misleading impression of how well you're doing. At the longer distances, minor errors in your form make a much larger difference. For me it came down to two principal problems - I kept tilting my head back, thereby moving my anchor point; I had a lazy string release, so the arrows all left the bow a different speeds.

Once these two issues were pointed out to me I noticed a marked improvement at the next session.

Don't worry about minor blips - it'll all come good with practice

[phillc]

Hi wpc when we run a begineers course we discourage people buying there own gear until they have shot for at least three months better six this gives them a chance to go up to a realistic bow wieght using club bows we dont charge them for the use of this kit and saves them either over bowing or buying lots of kit on there way to shooting competitions also saves flash in the pan people storing a bow in their loft for the rest of their lives.so don't worry a county level archer shot like a monkey the other week as his clicker had moved 2 mm so a new bow could blow your mind ps( no insult to monkeys some of my best friends behave like them)

[PaulT]

Don't worry about Carolyn, you are still very new to the whole thing, I have been through many periods when I have wanted to throw my gear through the wall (hard). Come on sunday and i won't let either of you quit!