Archery Shot Sequence: part 1

When I first started shooting a bow, I didn't really think about anything except firing the next arrow, hoping it would be better than the last. Naturally, my arrows rarely hit where I was aiming because I wasn't being consistent. For each shot, my feet were placed a little differently, I was holding the bow slightly differently, etc.

The key to being a better shot is consistency, and having each step in your own shot sequence memorized will help you make progress from a fair archer to a good archer in a relatively short time. The shot sequence is a critical foundation for taking your archery beyond simply flinging arrows.

Every time I am shoot an arrow, I say each step in my mind right before I execute it. It is amazing how a shot sequence can improve your accuracy and confidence.

If you don't have one, a shot sequence is easy to make.

Below is the sequence I came up with for myself. It's working for me now, but may be modified if I feel the need. Yours may be similar. You can word it differently, add steps, or eliminate steps as you like. Experiment a bit, but keep in mind that the real value of a shot sequence is that you have it memorized and internalized so well that you can do it on autopilot, if needed... so don't make too many changes, or you'll never memorize it.

I'll add a brief description for each step in an upcoming post.

1. Nock up
2. Posture up
3. Hook up
4. Set hand
5. Visualize on target
6. Pre-aim and level
7. Draw to anchor
8. Center sight
9. Commit
10. Start back tension
11. Aim

Laser Guided Arrows

In archery, arrows have a tendency to go where you're looking, no matter what your bow's sight tells you. It's like throwing a ball. Traditional archers who shoot longbows and recurves know this, but it also applies to compound bows and target recurves with sights.

From the time you reach anchor, to the time the arrow hits the target, your aiming eye should be completely focused on the center of the center of the bullseye, or whatever target you want to hit.

The problem is, it's difficult to keep your eye totally focused on the bullseye, especially when you release the arrow. I've found that my eye tended to wander at the exact moment of release. This would make me miss.

However, you can eliminate small flinches that can scatter your arrow groups by using laser guided arrows.

Militaries all over the world use lasers to guide missiles and bombs with incredible accuracy. Infantry on the ground shine a laser spot on a target, an aircraft fires a missile which homes in on the laser and hits the target with precision.

I imagine that my arrow is a laser guided missile. I project a laser beam from my eye to the aiming point and keep it locked there until the arrow has hit. The arrow simply follows my eye's laser beam right into the bullseye. Simple, right?

It's especially important to keep your eye (and mind) totally focused on the center until the arrow has hit. Even if your attention wanders off the center of the bullseye for a fraction of a second, or your vision drifts an inch, that's probably where the arrow is going.

The First Shot at Practice

Since this is my first post, it's fitting to talk about the first shot that we all take at practice.

When I go to the archery range, I take my first shot with my eyes closed at a large target that is VERY close, only 5 yards away. Why? It takes the pressure off, lets me relax and really pay attention to how the shot feels. You can feel your body alignment and reaction to holding your bow at full draw MUCH better without any visual distraction. This not only builds confidence in my shooting, it really helps to get my mind in the right frame for the rest of my practice session.

Of course, I follow my usual shot routine that starts with nocking an arrow, checking my stance, etc., but after the sight settles on the target, I close my eyes until the shot goes off. I don't care where exactly the arrow goes, as long as it safely hits the target bale.

I'll usually shoot about 8 to 10 arrows with my eyes closed to get in the groove. Then I'll move to shooting with with my eyes open.

Try this out the next time you shoot your bow. By making it a habit, it has helped me tremendously with improving my form, increasing my confidence, and making me a better shot.