Practice Right For Fun, For Success. By Alexis Seibert
Jul 17, 2007 - 7:36:33 AM
Wow, the ASA tour has been keeping me very busy! Over the last few months I've been to Gainesville, FL., Hattiesburg, MS., Paris, TX., Augusta, GA., London, KY., and in 2 weeks I'll be heading to Metropolis, IL. I would like to thank Jeff Eastburn from Bowtech archery. I am so happy to be a part of the Bowtech team.
Good practices = Good Tournament shooting.
I've traveled to many different shows and along the way I've shot many different bows. Although there are many great kid bows out, over all I like the Bowtech Equalizer best.
In my opinion, Bowtech makes the best bows out there for kids. Whether you shoot the Equalizer or the Diamond Edge, you can be sure that you are shooting a great bow that will shoot well for you. When you draw it back it has a solid back wall and a slender grip making it shoot consistently, not to mention that at a 26 inch draw and 40lbs draw weight it was shooting at 277 feet per second out of the box!
I know that when I started shooting it I gained at least 10 more points to my score card as it shot so fast and flat. If you ever get a chance to shoot a Bowtech don't pass it up. I'm sure you'll be glad you did!
The main point to my monthly column here on bowhunting.net is to give an archery tip each month to help add a few points to your score card. The thing that I want to write about this month is that one of the most important things about good archery is 'good quality practice time'.
Following proper steps keeps practices valuable time spent.
I like to practice around 4 days a week, 3 days at the least and 5 days at the most. It's always good to have days off to do other things you like besides just archery. This gives you a chance to rest and not get burned out. But practicing isn't just about going outside to shoot 40 arrows. Going back to my past article, you should use the 11 steps to good archery to make good shots.
Every shot you take you should think these steps over in your head.
Stance,
Nock your arrow,
Set your release hand,
Set your bow hand,
Pre-draw,
Draw,
Anchor,
Aim,
Shot set up,
Release,
Follow through and reflect.
Soon these steps should come natural to you as you go through each and every shot. Once you are done with one of the steps you should forget about it and move to the next one. You don't have to shoot 60 arrows each time you step outside to practice.
Even if you only have time to empty your quiver once, it is better than no practice at all. You shouldn't think that you have too practice every day of the week either. Pushing yourself to shoot more than what you want to will only cause you to become frustrated and make the sport less enjoyable. And remember, enjoying archery is the most important reason to shoot. If you're tired it's ok to put the bow down.
To add some fun to practice time, Alexis competed against her dad.
The most you will shoot in most competitions will be only 20 to 40 targets for us kids. Before, I was shooting once or twice a week shooting well but not as well as I wanted. But now that I'm shooting 4 days a week I've gained more points and am shooting much better than before.
Practice also has it's rewards as Alexis is now on the BowTech Shooting Staff.
Always be proud with any big or little improvement you make with your shooting. Never pay too much attention to where you placed but how much better you shot than the last tournament.
And always make archery fun! Until next time keep shooting the 10 ring.
