Steve Graf wrote: You are right to be worried about how your first arrow flies. In fact, I consider my practice session a success if the fist shot is where it needs to be, no matter what happens after that.
I allow myself one draw on the target and a let down. Then I take my first shot. If I don’t hit where I should, I spend the rest of the session trying to figure out why.
Cold stiff muscles are usually the problem. That’s why I draw and let down before I shoot. I do this in the woods too. Every 30 minutes to an hour, I discretely draw the bow and hold a few seconds.
I have found that it also helps to get into the mindset you need to be in when hunting. So I walk slowly to the target. Draw the bow slowly, and hold it for 5 or 10 seconds and then let down. Then I take a another pause and really focus on the target. Then I draw and shoot it like it’s a deer.
This really helps me make a good first shot. Sometimes, on my initial draw, after 5 seconds or so, I feel like I can hit the target, and so I go ahead and shoot. This works out about 75 percent of the time. But I should really go ahead and let down. Then go through the process of refocusing on the target and then shoot.
If I am really having trouble, I’ll make a day of first shots. I’ll go through the process just described and take a shot. Then leave and come back in an hour, and take another shot, and so on. This sometimes helps me identify a problem I may be having.
I hope this helps. I know how you feel about that first shot.
Steve – am happy to report on sample of 1 session after a few draws = much better! I can feel it. I was always fortunate to be athletic enough to skip “warm up” in my younger days. Now that I am ” good once as I ever was”, your advice hits home. Thanks again.
