Reaching your peak

[stikshooter]

I have been shooting for about 15 years,I shot a lot during the early nineties and started shooting heavy again the last year or so.I would rate myself a pretty decent shooter and can hold my own at the bigger 3d shoots,but I am by no means Fred Bear or Howard Hill,and can nearly bet you I never will.

I was just wondering do we ever peak out?and what seperates the average shooter from the great shooters? I think that it is a lot more than just practice.I wanted to hear from all of yall,and see if after years and years,there is improvment or you reach your peak and that is it.

I think after getting back to shooting a lot,I am at best as good as I used to be,but not much better.


Eric

[Buff]

I have no explaination for it but it seems most folks (excluding Chris) shoot better as they get older. it dosn't make any sence as I was much stronger, steadier and could see much better when I was a teen ager but I just never seemed to be able to shoot consistantly. I go to alot of 3-d shoots and it seems most of the high scores are shot by old folks. I seem to get a little better every year. of coase by starting out poorly I have left myself plenty of room for improvment.

[Lefty]

I would have to agree with Buff (about Chris) but I believe that the seasoned shooters have more patience than some of the young folks. But if you look at the young trad shooters that shoot good, most of them have shot trad bows since they were babies (Chris) and have a lot better hand and eye coordination than we have at our age. Also most of the young shooters like the pin point accuracy that the modern compound offers with less effort. They seem to come over to the trad bows later in life, like myself and some of the others on this board. With them they bring the good shooting form and a working knowledge of how to shoot and they will pick up the trad shooting style faster than someone who has never shot a bow before. With all that said there are also folks that are just natural shooters and don’t require a lot of practice once they learn the flight of the arrow. IMHO

[Chunky]

Well, I probably should just stay out of this thread all together, but you know I can't.

I will agree with those above about Chris being good an all. Buff is a pretty fair shot and I wouldn't want him shooting at me.

I do not feel like I am better now that I am older. My eyes have started to go and I think it has effected my shooting to a degree. Not that I was winning any shoots or anything anyway. I do understand about being relaxed and focused, something that is easier with maturity, but physically I think I am past my peak. Maybe the other old guys just can't remember.

[TradAg02]

Sorry for the long post/soapbox sermon. I hope someone comes away with something of benefit.


I believe many individuals mistake age for experience and knowledge, not just in archery, but in every day life as well. I (as well as other “younger” shooters) often receive unwarranted criticism from individuals who do not know my back ground and have never seen me shoot. They automatically assume that you must be older to shoot well. Though I am only 27 I have been shooting as long or longer than most “older/experienced” shooters. I was born with a bow in hand and a recurve at that. I shot my first 3-D tournament at age 11 and my father always required me to shoot from the men’s stakes unless it was a state shoot. I shot more arrows under professional coaching in college than most people shoot in their entire life’s. So regardless of my age I consider myself experienced.

My theory on why individuals seem to improve as they age is that they quit worrying about what others think. I feel that younger shooters and those just starting out feel they have something to prove and that all eyes are watching their every shot (I have certainly been guilty of this). As shooters mature, I think they come to realize that no one really cares; they simply shoot their shot, have a good time and move on.

I also think that part of the answer lies in what Lefty said. There are simply more older shooters in traditional archery.

To get back to stickshooter’s original question, “I was just wondering do we ever peak out and what separates the average shooter from the great shooters?” I personally believe that there is always room for improvement. I believe that what separates the average shooter from a great shooter is the constant pursuit to improve.

In college I was blessed with the opportunity to shoot with and be coached by some of the best shooters and coaches in the world. The thing I quickly noticed when around these individuals is that they are never satisfied and they are quick to try recommendations that may be awkward and uncomfortable.

No one likes to try things that are awkward or uncomfortable, but these individuals realize that something must change in order to improve and that change is normally difficult. It is not uncommon to see a traditional archer who has taken their current shooting form/style to its potential and though they have a desire to shoot better they simply refuse to make any changes. Besides they have gotten this far and the change and “well, it just doesn’t feel right.” I am not saying that there is one specific shooting style that is superior, but when you have reached your potential the only way to improve is to make a change.

As with most change, you often must take several steps backwards in order to end up ahead. It is often difficult for shooters who have elevated their shooting to the highest point it has ever been to make a change that will cause them to take a few steps back. Many shooters will try something new and then revert back to their old methods when they see their shooting initially decline.

Personally I attempt to find an area of my shot to focus/improve on every time I shoot. In most of my practice sessions and even at local tournaments I am always working on something and my score often reflects this (negatively). However when I attend a large shoot or it is time to hunt, all of the pieces seem to fall into place and I feel I am better for it.

For those of you who do not know me, please don’t misinterpret this. I am not one to shout from the mountaintops about how great I think I am. I just felt I should respond after being mentioned in the previous posts.

Chris

[LostHawg]

You responded well Chris.

I can relate to not being patient with decline.

[Lefty]

The man has skills beyond his age

[LostHawg]

Yeah, Kavin, but until he admits longbows rule, I'll just take it all with a grain of salt.

[Lefty]

If we both can make it to the Hill Country shoot I'm bring my RECURVE and my old longbow and we can shoot around together. – Unless maybe you’re chicken.

[mitch]

can we watch and learn?

[broken arrow]

Good read Chris, I'd like to hook up with you sometime for shooting instructions. Some people also do not know how many hundred shots it takes to ingrain one single shooting change. I like to compare archery to golf, good practice habits, practicing good form, and the properly fitted equipment, will help make the shots much better......

[Javelina]

Peak::
According to all data and my wife I reached my peak 20 years ago:-)

[BowBuddy]

We're better cause we need medication!!!!

[LostHawg]

Who, me? Chikkin?

Hold on, I see's a cricket!!!!!

[Lefty]