Realistic target for Bowman?

[PorlyP]

Originally Posted by Flying Whale

Now in my second season and made Bowman. I made it to 2nd class in my first season, then took a real slump half way through the indoor (only made 536 Portsmouth, and that was before my problems).

I Started this season unable to make 2nd class score and depressed. One really well targetted piece of coaching and my next score was easily first class (my target for the year). The other 1st class scores took a little time, but the Bowman followed about 6 weeks later.

Keep the targets realistic, but don't get bent out of shape over them. The main thing is to work on the form, and the scores will come.

In terms of poundage, I am sure 40# would be usefull for flatter trajectory, however I shoot 36# limbs, and only about 34# on the fingers. I have no problems at 100yards, and the sight bar remains most of the way out (no need to bring it in, and definitely no need to reverse it). ACE's however did make a big difference for tis over XX75's

Good luck with it.

Cheers, that's really useful to take on board, scores are only ever benchmarks for me, rather than chase them I try to use form to get them, so hopefully it'll help me on my way!

[grantwomack]

Originally Posted by PorlyP

Have you had any coaching, Grant? Just wondering, as right now I could never imagine me being bowman by next summer, but it's not being down on myself or anything, I just thought it would take longer for some reason.

I have had coaching, but not from the word go. I never saw a qualified coach until three days before I got my MB the first time (and even then it was nothing to do with what they said that helped me to get MB). It had a lot to do with arrow volume and learning about consistency. My form wasn't great at the time but it was very consistent and I repeated the same shot all the time. It also helped that I was shooting 3-4 times a week, for a couple of hours each time.

[PorlyP]

Originally Posted by grantwomack

I have had coaching, but not from the word go. I never saw a qualified coach until three days before I got my MB the first time (and even then it was nothing to do with what they said that helped me to get MB). It had a lot to do with arrow volume and learning about consistency. My form wasn't great at the time but it was very consistent and I repeated the same shot all the time. It also helped that I was shooting 3-4 times a week, for a couple of hours each time.

Cool, cheers, shooting often is my main worry really, well, if you take away the bad habits!

[moo-mop]

I'm much like Grant, it took me a few months to get bowman, without a coach and with terrible technique, the next year was the first year I did MB. Nine years later (as of Sunday) and I've done GMB, although one score is quite close to the boundary. However, there was a gap when I got stuck at about 1210, then I gave up archery "forever" (in fact 4 years). When I came back to it then I got some coaching, and that helped me get over the barrier I'd got stuck at before, but you can do MB scores without great form.

However, I strongly recommend you don't use the classification scores as your score goals, there really is no difference between 1258 and 1259 (or whatever classification you are near).
Set your score goals at something you want to do, and make sure you include weather conditions in them. Try not to let them be imposed by any system or badge. I can tell you my “best” score of the year is a 616 FITA 70m.
Also as the best way to do the classifications is to do lots of competitions you also may find yourself entering too many comps to get the required scores, and not doing enough practice. This is especially true if your practice, like mine, is mainly limited to weekends.

[nfinite]

well, for me.

Managed to get my 1st class in my first outdoor season ( last year )
shooting herefords and albions. ( could not get 100yrds/ 90m early in the year )

managed to get the distance at the end of last season. ( started shooting yorks / fitas )

Made bowman this year without too much problems, shooting about 3 / 4 times a week.

Scores dropped when I was not able to pratice due to work
But came back up again just recently.

[nfinite]

I was given the advice when i started that,

start at 20 yrds, when you can keep most of your arrows in the red, move the boss back a distance.

I used this method as my own goal and it took me all the way to 100yrds / 90m

I found it great and a super buzz when I was getting my arrows on a boss at 100yrds.

Looked impossable and so far away when I started, but it came along with pratice, pratice, pratice

[PorlyP]

Thanks Moo-Mop, nfinite. Both really useful replies

[robbo]

it's definately do-able porly. I've made bowman in just over a year, if you'd asked me this time last year whether bowman was a goal for me i would have laughed as i was struggling to get 2nd class scores in.

experience & confidence is IMO a major factor in shooting well, if you have the self belief that you can do it then you probably will. My self belief and confidence have grown over the last few months and so have my scores.

I was at a tournament a few weeks back and my first end was about 30 points below were it should be, rather than fall to pieces like i might have done 6 months ago i told myself i can do better and should do better. I quietly and calmly got on with it and finished with a new pb for that round and my first competition bowman score.

just keep practicing and you'll be surprised how quickly it may come for you

[Little Miss Purple]

I made bowman within my 1st year of shooting, then my life fell apart. Now the close of my 1st full outdoor season is nearly on me, my form has returned and brought a bit more with it - those Mb scores are but a handful of points away!!

I have tried to shoot everyday, even when things were really tough and I thought about packing it all in - I kept on shooting

[PorlyP]

Originally Posted by robbo

it's definately do-able porly. I've made bowman in just over a year, if you'd asked me this time last year whether bowman was a goal for me i would have laughed as i was struggling to get 2nd class scores in.

experience & confidence is IMO a major factor in shooting well, if you have the self belief that you can do it then you probably will. My self belief and confidence have grown over the last few months and so have my scores.

I was at a tournament a few weeks back and my first end was about 30 points below were it should be, rather than fall to pieces like i might have done 6 months ago i told myself i can do better and should do better. I quietly and calmly got on with it and finished with a new pb for that round and my first competition bowman score.

just keep practicing and you'll be surprised how quickly it may come for you

Nice one robbo, ta!

Part of me wants to race to further distances, but I'd rather nail the rest as I move up, I'm currently focussing on 60, and after only trying the distance twice, I'm getting them all on, and have splashed the custard, so it's onwards and upwards!

Just wish I'd started at the beginning of the season, not the end!!

Oh well, I'll have my first full season next year