Now that winter has started, how do we train to keep the archery conditioning we have or try to recover some of what we used to have when spring arrives?
CDFingers recent posts inspired me to try a variation of his “Walkback Archery Game”.
The goal is to develop a simple, easy, bow & arrow training habit that is fun.
I have a 20 X 20 cabin next to my house that I can shoot in. Last week I hung a Walmart archery target bag on a shelf bracket bolted to the steel entrance door. The longest distance inside I can shoot is about 14 ft. So I started at 10 feet and did a trial run.
It was a shock trying to shoot left handed. First time! My mind hit the ditch. My arrow hit the door. I should have started 3 feet away from the arrow tip.
My bow of choice for this is a 72” Trad bow by Rudder Company, a Flat bow, 37 Lb. draw at 28” modified to 25 Lb. at 30” draw. To reduce the pull weight I spent several hours with a block plane covering the floor with wood shavings which reduced the pull weight. Now the bow is fun to shoot.
With this setup, it’s just plain vanilla traditional. The only accessories are an arm guard and a Damascus 3 finger glove.
The objective here is to develop strength in my arm and back muscles equally.
Along with the strength building, work on my form, draw and release.
Distance; 10 feet
Practice Frequency; Every other day or shoot then wait until the soreness almost quits.
Shoot 5 arrows right handed then 5 arrows left handed. Do 4 times which equals 20 shots.
So far I’ve done this twice. It took 4 days for the soreness to fade to a dull ach. But I’ve got some numbers to start. Now it should get easier until I shorten the number of days between sessions and / or increase the number of shots.
Comments? Suggestions?
Brain droppings by,
Pointfocus
Thanks to CDFingers for your experience and advice.
Archery Winter Training Program
1I remarked, I was trying to keep relaxed, the Zen Master replied: 'That's just the trouble, you make an effort to think about it. Concentrate on your breathing, as if you had nothing else to do. (Quote modified to fit.)
Zen in the Art of Archery.
Zen in the Art of Archery.