When to Boneyard Archery Sunday. I wanted to shoot. I shot 60 arrows. The small arrow holes on the target are not mine, I had to use a used target. I shot will. Working on holding soft while not creeping. Keeping my elbow back and a soft release with follow through.

Shot the league Thursday evening. Was still not completely recovered from being sick but I wanted to shoot and I am glad I did. Not that I shot real well but it was good to shoot. This target is not bad bad. No red. But too many nines. I shot no triple tens or Xs. I shot a 284. Working on not holding too hard but also not creeping and improving my release while following through.

Well this is my Wednesday night target. I am confused and frustrated. Some of the low shots were from adjusting the sight but not even half of them. I was trying to shoot just like I have been shot for the last two nights at 10 yards now at 20 yards I am having trouble hitting the 9 ring. I really believe I and shooting just like I did the two previous night and I am a over the target. Some do hit where I am aiming them but others are way off what I am aiming at when the release goes off. I did notice that sometimes when shots were bad I had grabbed the bow instead of leaving my hand soft and not dropping my like I intended too. Once I noticed this and corrected it my hits got better. I will work in the along with the not to hard draw and keeping elbow back Thursday before league.

Again at 10 yards working to get use to a draw pulling back enough to get to the cable stop then holding there and not creeping. Also working on keeping my elbow back. I have high hopes for this for I am just pounding the X ring. This target has had 36 arrows shot at it. As part of the JOAD class I also shot 18 blank bailing. Tomorrow I will try 20 yards.

This is one of the videos they shot of me after the Shoot Wilde Workshop at Lancaster Academy - this is a pretty cool setup Thought you might like to see it. maybe make a comment or two.

George Ryals  

Jan 5

Take a look at the overhead view. Rather than moving the elbow back, you are moving your hand to your face. What was Reo’s comments on this?

Ashby Spratley  

Jan 10

I have studied the video and think I see what you are talking about. I will work on it and have an over head video shot to see if I can fix this. As far as I know Reo never looked at the videos. When I heard they were making the videos I assumed they would be reviewed also but apparently not.

Major breakthrough tonight. I learned why I was having what seemed like should have been a dead center shot would be two inches low or sometimes high. I had probably at least a dozen of those at the tournament Sunday maybe more and I just could not understand why what looked and felt like a perfect shot would hit low or high. Well tonight at JOAD I was shooting at ten yards working on my release thinking this must be the problem. I shot an arrow that looked in the sight and felt like a perfect shot and the arrow landed more than an inch low. I began to think it was the arrow so I had John examine that arrow and another one that landed true. He said they balanced the same and weighted the same. So he watched me shoot and told me that sometimes when I shot I pulled so hard on the bow that I was causing the cable stop to deflect the cable and other times I did not do this. He said this would cause me to miss like I was seeing. He asked if the SweetSpot was showing I was pulling too hard I said it was not. He suggested that I may want to lower the upper threshold. He watched me shoot several times and had me back down when I was pulling too hard against the stop. I adjusted the SweetSpot so that the level when the red LED would come on was much lower I had no trouble adjusting how hard I was pulling the bow back so that I was not turning on the red LED when holding and was immediately able to pound the X with every arrow shooting from 10 yards. I am assuming I got to pulling so hard thinking it would help me both get my elbow back and not creep. My SweetSpot will tell me if I creep and now tell me if I pull to hard also. Now I have to practice with it a lot set this way so I can shoot with the same feel when I am not allowed to use it like at USA Archery events.

We had a tournament at First Flight Saturday it was Lancaster scoring so Xs were worth 11 with a total of 330 possible points. I shot 12 Xs and scored a 301. Not bad but not great either. I did not have any 8s which was great. I feel like I am so close but just not there. Been shooting almost every day and enjoying it. Working on elbow and release. SweetSpot is back and I am working with it. I really wish I knew what to do.

This is the second end target from the Jingle Bell Rocks Tournament at Boneyard Archery Sunday. The first round did not go well. It shoot an of 8 in the second and third end then in the ninth end I somehow got my thumb on the trigger are released during my draw and shot over the target hitting the wall for a miss. I was able to recover and shot two 10s and a 9 in my tenth end for a score of 267. My second end was better. I was focusing on my shooting and shot a 282 unfortunately 3 short of the 285 I needed for the Silver but a pretty good end. I need to focus better all the time.

This is my target from practice before and shooting the league shoot. I shot my best score yet at league. A 291 with 12Xs. I believe this was due to what I did and learned the the Shoot Wilde Workshop. I should have done better but had trouble finding n the 9th end and shot a 27. I should have let down the first two shot. Next time I have trouble holding center I WILL let down. I still need to improve my right elbow and my release.

Score from league shoot. No 8s and only one end with more than one new nine in it. It unfortunately had three 9s.

Tuesday target. The SweetSpot was waiting for me when I got home yesterday. I spent a little time getting it configured while doing so the twist in the string that was making the pep sighted be misaligned annoyed me enough so that I cut the torque-less D-loop loose so I could retire it at an angle that would pull the pep straight when I draw the string to full draw. This worked well but I had moved the loop up slightly which caused me to have to adjust the sight. After the adjustments I was shooting well. My biggest problem now seems to be focus. When I am able to focus and release properly I hit what I aim at.

My target from the Sunday morning scoring round we shot at the Shoot Wilde workshop. I shot an 286 six better than I shot during our Saturday morning scoring round. I really enjoyed the workshop and learned a number of things. Was surprised to be told that my from was good, that I am getting my elbow back far enough. Reo said it could be a bit farther back but not to worry about it it is far enough back. He said my elbow does sometimes creep but not all the time. He said that I needed to move the upper nock point down so that my arrows nocks would always be at the exact same spot in my string and that he thought my draw length was too short. I bought some serving cord and retired the nock point and he put my bow on the bow press and unwound the string three turns. This changed the feel of the bow a lot more than I expected and it felt better - holding center is easier but my release feels strange. As I shot the release got better but I still need to shoot more.

Wednesday target. This is pretty good. I can shoot pretty well if I do everything correctly but I just do not seem to be able to do that every time. Frustrating! I took a video of almost every end today and watched them before getting my arrows. I will attach one or two of the here.

Tuesday’s target I am pretty happy with this. I am working very hard on getting my elbow back and keep it from creeping. I am making progress but still need to do better. I am also working on my release.Six time during my practice at 20 yards while shooting 69 arrows at full draw I had the feeling that hold the bow was very very easy as was holding center while aiming. These six arrows landed very well. All were Xs. I work all evening after the first to duplicate that way of shooting but only managed five more and I did not seem to be able to do it every-time on demand.

Got medal in mail today. Second place at Tournament I shot two weeks ago.

Monday target. Still trying to consistently do what I need to do to shoot well. Some times I can others not so much. SweetSpot die again sent back for repair.

Here is one video from Friday

Here is a second video from Friday

Saturday target. Was not feeling well by the time I got to the range but is shot a little while there.

Wednesday’s target. I am switching targets so I am use to shooting them all. I am sort of happy with this target I am hitting more Xs but not enough. Shot 75 arrows at 20 yards. Working on getting and keeping my elbow back along with my release. Also searching that feeling when everything seems to just be right. I spoke to John amour it and he believes it is from getting my elbow is just the right aliment. When that is right everything just feels easy. I was able to do it about two dozen time during practice. Would really like to know what you think about this George.

With the range closed Monday having the floor resurfaced I was at a bit of a lose as what to do. I usually shoot so I played bagpipes a bit watched some archery on YouTube and spent a good bit of time visualizing my shot routine with the recent changes. Tuesday I had a successful practice at the range with its new floor which does look a lot better. I have switched to my indoor bow with the 2315 arrows and had to remove some weight from the front stabilizer so it felt right and more like the outdoor bow. The JOAD class was to shoot several practice rounds the two official practice rounds then shoot a 300 round. I shot 291 Vegas 300 round. Pretty sure this is a personal best. I went back and converted it US Archery and it would be 281. Then they had a shoot down I beat three other archers and went to a one arrow shoot off with an 18 something kid who finally beat me in our second round of shoot off with an X to my 10. Sort of pleased with this. I still need work I n my release and need to get elbow the go to the right place without having to think about it. But is is progress. Thoughts?

I shot the NC State Senior Games Tournament Saturday. It was a 900 round. I shot pretty well. I did shoot nine 8s but five of those were in the first two end at 9 AM with the Sun right behind the target. I could barely see the target. It got better after that. I took second place out of three archers. This was my best target.

Thursday evenings target both practice and league. Had a good coaching session with John and was able I make a change to my elbow and shoulder position. This has helped. My group was better most of the time. I expect the times it was not I was not doing the changes correctly. I shot a lot. More Xs and more 10s. Feels like some progress. John advises videoing my self. I will do more of that.

Target from 11-14. I am again pleased with what I feel is progress on this target. My group is still too large but I really shot the center out of this target. I had to repair it several times. Shot 69 arrows at 20 yards no SweetSpot it is still off for repair. Again I feel like I am almost ready to take that next step but still cannot quite do so. Working on anchor, holding and follow through. I shoot the NC State Senior Games this Saturday after which I will be able to go to my indoor bow. I will likely take both my indoor and outdoor bows to the Shot Wilde workshop.

Tuesday 11-12 target. I again feel like I am improving. My group is still too large but it seems to be getting better. I shot 72 arrows at 20 yards. Working on anchor, release and holding. I feel like I am so close but just cannot make that next step yet. I wanted to let you know George I am doing a workshop at Lancaster in early December wot Rep Wilde and his brother.

Friday 11-9 target. I feel like I am improving a little but I am still shooting in the red and 9 rings. At 20 yards without the SweetSpot I am working in anchor, release and follow through. I shot 63 arrows.

Wednesday nights target is pretty good, the two 7/8 liner shoots were some else’s arrows that hit my target. I feel like I am making some progress. I am hitting the 10 and X ring more but still too many nines. I shot before and during both JOAD classes tonight. 75 arrows and am a bit stiff this morning but not really sore. I will just keep in building myself back up. Worked on anchor, release, follow through and reaching last night.

Tuesday target Olympic Recurve JOAD pin shoot. I am still not shooting this bow well. Most likely because I almost never practice with it since I almost always shoot my compound bow. Well I can get a pin with this bow but cannot with the compound. I was at one time shooting it better than I am now. I shot a 230 for the 5 star pin but needs a 250 for the 6 star pin. Last night I only shot a 179. I while back I was convinced that I needed to change my form to be able to improve in the Recurve bow so I have been attending to go from my self created form based from watching Brady Ellison to what I leaned at coaching workshop is NTS. I must be doing a lot wrong because I have not gotten close to 230 since then.

Monday target. Still working on anchor and elbow. I still need to improve but feel like this is progress.

This is the Friday target, same one I shot at league night. I was working on my anchor and keeping my elbow back. All arrows were in the outer ten ring except for one nine. My anchor and elbow work seem to be helping.

This is my practice target Thursday evening. 30 arrows at 20 yards working on release and follow through. I may have figured something out last night. I realize I was not always holding the angle of my anchor hand at the same angle at least I was not aware of what angle I was using. I started making sure the back of my anchor hand was against my face at the same angle. This seemed to improve my shots.

My target from the Thursday night league shoot. I cannot it usually do these shoot due to my bagpipe band rehearsal in Thursday evenings. But rehearsal was canceled last night so I shot the league shoot. Making sure I consistently used the same anchor hand angle seemed to improve me shots. I still did not do very well shooting a 279 with Vegas scoring. I came back in next to last. I do think the anchor position helped.

George Ryals  

Nov 6

That group does look tighter.

Wednesday nights target. Halloween so we had a light turn out for JOAD. No one showed up for the second JOAD session so they closed early and I only got 48 arrows shot at 20 yards working on release and follow through.

JOAD night she had everyone blank 30 arrows the shoot 15 aiming at our target then 15 scoring. I shoot 13 down out of 150 points seems poor to me. My SweetSpot has died so I am shooting with out it. I am working on release and follow through.

Last nights targets. I have been shooting like this for a week. I shoot six arrows then go collect them. One to the three spot then one to the 40 mm single spot and then back and forth. I shoot the 40 mm a bit better than the three spot. I have no idea why. In the tournament I shot last weekend I opted for a 40 mm due to this. I still was thinking only able to shoot a 269 & 270. Not terrible but not good either. I have gotten poor about posting here because you never talk to me. I am disappointed I really wanted a coach but fell like you are just not interested.

JOAD pin night. I shot my Olympic Recurve because I cannot get pins indoors on my compound bow. I felt like I was shooting well. The target disagrees. I needed 250 for my next pin, the blue one - 6 stars but shot a 196, not even close. Maybe next month.

Could not shoot Tuesday. Went to the range, during setup of my bow I found the bolt for the front stabilizer was frozen. I could not turn it. I will get one from one of the extra bars I have. It is not cross threaded because I never take it off.

Monday evening practice. Again just fair. I am at 15 yards and cannot hit the ten ring every time. I had to cope tonight because the JOAD students were shooting for pins. I will shoot my Olympic Wednesday for a pin.

I cannot even shoot the Vegas ten ring much less all the inner, the center 10 and I am only at 15 yards. Feel like I am just wasting time.

Not improving have trouble holding tonight. I cut my practice short.

I am just not improving.

Monday practice. I did not shoot Saturday I was sick. Short practice got there a bit late and had to shoot with the JOAD students.

Friday night target. Good practice. Working on the same things and I am doing ok just not betting better

Friday afternoons practice. It was a good practice at 15 yards, 42 arrows. I was working on form/routine with the SweetSpot while following through.

This is my finial target from Wednesday evening practice. Not quite as good as yesterday but still good. One of the coach’s at the range says my form looks real good and he thinks I should start the walk back. I will get a video sent to you soon to see if you think so. I guess I will start the walk back but unfortunately they are closing the store at 5 pm Thursday due to the storm and not opening until Monday. I am pretty annoyed I do not think it will be that bad. Also they have canceled the tournament Sunday which I also think is premature but I guess that is just me. Will find somewhere to shoot Saturday and or Sunday if I am able but looks like I am SOL for Thursday and Friday.

My GOAL!!!

My first three arrows today. This is my goal. This is what I am working for. I am doing the same thing I have been doing for weeks but now it is working and if I am doing something different I do not know what it is. I only care about what the difference is so I can keep doing it.

Tuesday night target. 60 arrows and only one outside of the Vegas ten ring. So ok yesterday was not a fluke. I am still not sure why I am doing better but I am pleased. Today I just did what I did yesterday working on form/routine with the SweetSpot. Any thoughts George?

My target from Monday evening. This is with my compound bow at ten yards. I have an outdoor 50 meter viral USA Archery JOAD Tournament this Sunday weather permitting. So I wanted to shoot a single spot. I was making sight adjustments both down and left during my practice. I was doing what I have been doing, working on form and routine with the SweetSpot. I am not sure why this target was so much better than the three spots I have been shooting but I am glad to see some improvements. I know it does not look like it but there were 42 arrows shot at this target.

Only made it to the range Tuesday of last week and it was pin night so I was shooting my Olympic Recurve bow because I cannot earn any more pins indoors except at a tournament. I needed 260 but only shoot 210. I guess I need to practice on this bow more.

I made it back to the range yesterday, Friday evening. I only shot 30 arrows intentionally because it was the first time I had shot much I two weeks. I did well. No problems no pain. I went back to 10 yards thinking maybe I need more time here because I am not making progress at 20 yards.

Thanks for your comments. It means a lot to me when you take time for me. Well I am taking a break from Archery but it was forced on me. Monday morning after I returned from the level 3 workshop I slipped on some water on the stairs in the parking garage on my way to work. I landed on my left butock and slid down five steps on my left side. I’m OK but very very sore. I tried shooting last Saturday but it hurt a bit so after 12 arrows I went home. I plan to try again tomorrow which will be Tuesday.

George Ryals  

Aug 27

Take care of yourself. Save the stair surfing for the kids.

I am at the Easton Archery Center in Newberry FL. I was able to shoot 27 arrows after class Monday, class ran long so I only had 30 minutes to shoot. I found out they were going to be here at 8 and class did not start until 9 so I came in early and shot for forty five minutes. Between the two session I got in 60 arrows. Feel like I am miking tiny bits of progress I was at 20 yards practicing form and routine with the SweetSpot.

Longer practice time on Wednesday so for the first JOAD session I practiced and adjusted the sight and where I a-line the bow string with the riser. I made some progress. For the second JOAD session is got for score and shot pretty well. I shot a 240 and needed a 230 for the pin. I guess all the changes I made to the bow helped. I have been shooting for this pin for five months. Now I need 250 for the next on.