Add a turn to your bottom limb and call me in the morning.

WOW! I can't believe how long it has been since I posted on the blog. Time flies when you have an arm baby and a two year old to wrangle. So what's new here.... I live in Atlanta now. Finally sold my house and escaped NY! Now I have a nice place and I can actually shoot at the house.

On the archery side of things. I have been putting a lot of time into the ArcheryLearningCenter and getting my household set up here in Atlanta. I have big plans to open a shop with a full on archery school here, but so far the credit crunch and put the kibosh on my dough. So for now I am waiting for things to settle out.

I am cooking up a new recipe for the 737s right now and have been shooting fletched and bare shafts trying to find that X drilling combination. So while tinkering with tiller tonight. I totally change the hold pattern of my bow through tiller adjustments. I ended up with a full turn on the bottom limb and reset my nock point and peep. MAN! this thing holds even better. I didn't shoot a score but I got more inside out Xs in one round than I have had in a while.

I have had a terrible time with stability because of all the moving and working, I haven't really kept up on my shooting like I normally would. For a while there I was beginning to wonder if my solid hold was gone forever. Well its back and I sure did miss it! I will start keeping averages in a few days. I have to re-string the sticks and finish tuning them up.

OH! and I am expecting a new Vantage Elite soon too! I hope that thing rocks the hizzy!

Until Next time...

It's a BOY!!

Well there hasn't been much archery going on the last two weeks. I just had my second son and I am spending most of my time hovering over the kids and trying to get everyone settled in.

[PICS] www.leodublin.archerylive.com

I have a brand new bunch of X10s on my desk next to the fletching jig begging to be fletch and aired out at 70M. I have just the spot to shoot them.

I am also working on my latest DVD centere around Shot Execution technique, I expect it to be ready in about a month.

So I am coming off of a back to back seminar tour, one in Seattle, WA and one in Bismarck, ND. I always have a great time giving these talks and I always meet many new friends. Many of the people I see in the seminars I actually recognize their faces from the national shoot tour, but never had the opportunity to actually meet them.
Though my seminar material and outline is always the same, it always amazes me how different each talk is. Such as is this situation; Bismarck and Seattle were completely different. Seattle was a smaller group with a larger sampling of styles represented and we dwelled mainly on making form consistent and using my techniques to draw, anchor, and address the target in a consistent manner. The were many in the crowd that showed immediate improvement with just a simple refresher in the basics. We also covered the full array of tuning techniques and special form and draw length tips to increase stability.

The Bismarck group dwelled mainly in the shot execution area. A large sampling of the group was interested in learning new release techniques and solidifying their approach to shot execution. We concentrated on techniques centered around stability improvement, and the separation of shot execution from sight movement. Most people are completely unaware of what that is doing to their game. We all worked together and took a step-by-step trip through my shot building routine and The Ten Yard Exercise. We shot two ends at each distance extending from about 3 yards to twenty in two yard increments. I also worked with each individual on their own specific release technique, and gave each one the tools to work out their own feel. I have high hopes for several in the class. If they stick to the program through to the finish they may realize their fullest potential quickly and next season may be their best yet. I can’t wait to see who reaches a personal best first.

Now about my own shooting. Because I have been traveling with the seminar so much. I have spent all my free time with Sarah and Quin. Quin and I made it to the range for some shooting and I have been working on my new 737 and considering what to do for outdoor season. I don’t think I will be able to shoot too many national outdoor shoots this year, but I will have my rigs set up and rolling at least for local outdoor matches and some alone time on the fita range. I am working on my FITA Field setup an I have a great scope power and dot combination to use on the unmarked section. I have a great field of view and a good fit at all distances. (I think) ☺

I am still shooting a hinge and have settled on a good clean technique that is working. I can tell that I have every thing working as I need it because the shot is getting faster and faster these days and it feels like it used to. Now all I have to do is practice hard and work on a little physical conditioning to increase my stability. The Pro38 and the Seven37 is holding well and I hope Hoyt leaves them unchanged for next year. I would like to try some 3000 limbs on the Seven37 and make it a Seven41. I bet that would Kill indoors with the big 2712 shafts

National Indoor

Well it has been a while since I changed my swing and I am proud to report that it is working fantastic. I am beginning to internalize the groove and I swung a great 60X on the first day. It was smooth, relaxed, and it felt easy. I started a tad rough but went inside out for the bulk of the game.

I learned a lot while shooting this shoot. It always amazes me that I have been shooting the Nationals over 20 years and I learn like a newbie every trip. I rocked the pro-am. Though Nathan and DIDIpoo shot 30X I feel real good about my 27X game.

I am liking the click feature of the release more and more. I think I am beginning to get comfortable with teaching the idea. I always advised that shooters avoid the click because it is too easy to shoot it twice. By that I mean - aim, aim, aim, CLICK! jiggle wobble, re-aim, aim, aim, DUFF. Total waste of time. However, I am using a method that seems to be working great.

As I reach full draw and align myself with the target, I allow my hand to relax and stretch into line. Once I reach that perfect spot... CLICK - peep aligns and dot settles Bam! just in time. I am loving it like ranch on a hot wing.

I missed a few on Sunday. I would like to say that it was through no fault of my own, but things happen. I got a little too loose with my first scoring arrow and misfired. I managed to keep it in the white but it was waaay out of the X. It took a couple ends for the disappointment to subside, so I dropped another in the second end for good measure. I went inside out and was strumming along when I sat down next to Jim Despart late in the game and he was scanning for dead soldiers with his binos and said, Ooh! someone missed one! who's that on target 20 bottom left?" I thought for a second and snapped to the conclusion that it was me! I couldn't believe it. I cruised through those five shots and they were so perfect that I didn't even look at them.

I was totally bummed but not mad. I was actually happy that my shot is coming along nicely and I am beginning to feel like my old self again. Wooohooo!

I got my new 737 in today and am excited to put that together and see how it does for me. I am thinking it is going to be an outdoor driller! I bet that bow would be killer with 3000 or 3500 limbs for indoor.

I didn't get to be in the shoot-off this time but I got some nice photos anyway.

Another great day

I just got two boxes of assorted hinges in today. Any day is a great day when you get a wad of new toys to play with. It seems that the word is out that I am shooting hinges. I am flattered that they care. :) Anyway thanks to those that sent and I will be sure that I send back what I don't need.

I shot a 59 today and the inner score would have been in the 90s. The good thing is that I am really feeling that smooth confident flow and I LOVE IT when it is working. Interesting though I was forced to take a break today with two ends left to finish the game. It was long enough for me to totally cool down and loose my train of thought. When I got back to shooting. I wasn't aiming right nor did my shot work. It was weird. I dropped my fourth arrow of the last end because I was just out in left field and thinking about something else. My release woke me up when it plopped. Something in my head was like, "aaaaaaHHHHH~! what are you doing"... the dot wasn't even close.

It was kinda funny. I was flailing about trying to swing it back into the center as I came to my senses. I bet I looked like I was having a apoplectic attack with a sprinkle of epilepsy.

BUT! :being as positive as I can: :)

It was another great day. Shooting a 59 with a dozen different hooks was an interesting feeling and It was cool to have a huge sample of releases to play with. If you live near wildwood and happen to catch me up there. You are welcome to play with them too. I share well with others. :)

:climbing up on my soap box:

Elliott Spitzer (my governor) got caught today with a $5000 hooker. How stupid does a guy have to be - to be who he is, and get caught with a high dollar hooker. I don't want him running my state anymore because hes a dumba$$. Besides the fact that I can't figure out what a hooker could do for me that would be worth $5000, maybe paint my house after I was done with my 15min. :) well... anyway thats all I have to say about that.... :)

I got a taste of the good stuff today

After a couple days off, then a trip back to the basics, and a good hard look at my bow setup I did a couple things. I shot my trainer like a fiend to convince myself that I have my hinge technique just like I wanted it. For some strange reason during my short range shooting I had a nagging feeling that my bow felt short. I thought it was just tension from apprehension over the new release. As it turns out I somehow got my bow nearly 3/16" shorter than my baseline draw length. No wonder I couldn't get it to settle in Georgia! I grabbed my trusty marked arrow out of the box and drew it back, and reset my bow to the baseline draw length. I marked that arrow some time ago when it was shooting its best.

I shot at 7 yards just because I didn't have the time to go to the range for a couple days. Today was the first time I was able to shoot from 20. I had my son with me and he had a blast running for arrows and shrieking from his stroller between ends. :)

I shot a 60X on the NFAA target and it was relatively trouble free. I had a few quick shots, but due to my new pre-aim procedure I managed X rings on those.The FITA Score would have been somewhere around 594 or so. All in all I was very pleased with today and feel like I am beginning to feel it again.

ready!? Aim! Fire!

Well I started off like a house on fire then started trying hard. Well you know what happens after that... the wheels come off the cart!

I ended up with a 580 during my first time at 20. It could have easily been a 95, but those little shots were just out. I still am very inconsistent in my form or at least my alignment. My zero was wandering all over the place. Thats a sure sign that something in the back half wasn't right.

We took a 10 min break at the half and that was enough to really blow any feel and momentum that I had going. I shot with Jedd today and he even blew it almost as hard as I did on the second half. We both were not happy with our scores.

Oh well there is always tomorrow. I will hit it with the same approach and take care to keep my hands soft and keep the back half tension free.

I figure I have about two weeks of hard work to lock this feel in. Hopefully I can get it working smoothly in time for nationals. I dropped two big tens today so I don't want a 58X round at nationals foshizzle.

Oh so nice when it works

Day three of the new swing and I am still trying to work out a few feel things. I went down to the shoot and got registered for the NAA Nationals. I shot a few practice ends while I was there and the shot still works even at 20 yards. The basement is only 17. (I actually measured it)The lighting is a little more dim in the shooting hall than it is in the basement, so the lack of detail in the X-ring is a little more comforting. My hold actually looks a bit more stable.

I was still having some inconsistencies in my shot timing today, but I was zeroing in on the right feel. I don't have my release trainer here with me so I am just having to shoot in the feel with the bow. A solid string trainer isn't working for me. Make sure it gets in my bowcase for the next trip for sure. My last several practice ends were feeling great and I stubled in on a technique that is working better.

I draw the bow, tighten, slip into anchor, stretch the line and relax my wrist. Just as the yellow comes into view, my stretch hits the click stage of the release. I fine up my aim and begin the inline pull and stretching my wrist straight. Bam! thats all it takes.

The feel is still more complex than I like, but I will continue using it until I can memorize the feel and commit most of it to automatic. I shot about 400 arrows today and my dads old rotten Morrell is holding up pretty well. Its and easy 10 years old and it has the old burlap bag on it. I tried to keep it rotated but I split the bag when I picked it up, The sun has rotted the burlap to the point that it cant be picked up without a bear hug.

Today at 17

120
120
119
120
119
-------------------
598

Now I know that its only 17 yards, but it feels great to have a flashy round. I shoot at 5:00EST so I will get to try it out for real then.

Until later....

GRIV

Oh one more thing.....

Mike I don't care what they say.... They are not right. There is way too much pressure on my release mechanism. With a rope on the release I could cut that pressure in half and my release would work even more slick.

Tim - Good to hear from you buddy. Get that bow out and shoot some.

Ok...Ok... I've learned my lesson

Mike Leiter came up to me in Vegas and wondered if I was ever going to post on my blog anymore. Well, I am back and I have some stuff to talk about.

First of all I am a little upset at the NFAA. I hear that the NFAA directors, during their annual meeting in Vegas, ruled that 23 size shafts were the largest allowed. I thought this would be a good idea. Getting in line with FITA rules, or at least a little closer would go a long way to standardizing archery for the world. Well... The rule was rescinded at the eleventh hour after a meeting called by Bruce Cull. Now I don't know any details first hand, and I won't presume to explain what happened, but something did happen which prompted the meeting and the subsequent hacking of the ruling. I have also heard that the rules passage went through the process virtually uncontested and passed with an overwhelming majority.

Now let me start by saying I don't care what size arrows we are allowed to shoot. Everyone will shoot the largest the rules allow, So the playing field is always level. The idea that smaller shafts save target butts is a little lame to me too. because the best pros drill one hole regardless of the shaft size anyway.

What bothers me is the fact that some outside interest has sway over our governing body. The directors made a rule that they thought was for the betterment of the sport. By the way... I am all for placing limitations on equipment to preserve the intent of the game (ie. Golf, Motor sports, etc.) This rule was thought to be a mistake by someone and Bruce thought it best to convince the Directors that it would be best to rethink the ruling.

OK, so here is what I think should be done. Number one, no outside party should have sway over a ruling - ever. If the NFAA can't accept donations from outside sponsors and then continue to govern themselves they way they feel is best for the sport, they shouldn't accept money from pressuring parties. In this case it seems the die is cast. Number two - Keep the rule but implement the rule with a longer lead time to allow proshops to rid themselves of stock and manufacturers to retool for the new ruling. So - Hear me NFAA... Keep the rule but don't enforce it until 2010.

:climbing down off soapbox:

Now about my abysmal performance in Vegas this year. I shot a miserable 895 with a ridiculously low X count. This weekend highlighted what has been wrong with my archery for some time now. I have been running under the basic assumption that once you figure out shot execution, it is yours forever. I was totally wrong on that one. It seems that we just borrow it for a while. If you let it get rusty or don't maintain it. It runs away from you. I think my shot has had one foot out the door for about two years. I have shot mediocre for about 3 years with enough of the little shining moments to keep me believing that everything is OK. Well - somethings rotten in Denmark. My shot groove totally left me high and dry. I probably shot 5 well executed shots all weekend. On the last day I shot with Jorge Jimenez The El Salvadorian World Cup King. I would have loved to have had a normal shooting day that day in hopes to ward off any embarrassment, but is wasn't to be. I struggled all day and Jorge could see it. I had one good end and as I turned off the line he nodded and mentioned that this end looked right. :) I was totally embarrassed. I was also so angry at myself for having to watch the "good shooters" from the other side of the room. Being accustomed to standing on or near the top butt for so many seasons really makes it sting when you find yourself all the way over on the other side. I was in good company. I was shooting with my buddy GillingHammer, Chris White, and Stevie Stark. They were also pissed to be so far away from the action.

I was glad to see Dave win. I think it has been ten years since he beat me in the shoot-off in the old sands building for his first win. I think it was '98... oh well it was somewhere in there. I have been trumped at the last moment in Vegas so many times now it all runs together. :)

So the good news is I have a plan..........

Here's the problem.

My aim is stable, but my shot execution is patchy. It is smooth one time and it rough the next. It almost feels like I am timid on the trigger or I am varying my grip on the release handle causing an issue with the right pressures. My release technique has been the same and stable for 15 years, but lately it seems harder and harder to catch the groove and do it with consistency. I think this is all stemming from my thumb injury in 2005. That dead patch on my thumb is right on where I hold the barrel. I have been tinkering with my swing ever since. I did win the world championship that year, but had to shoot off for it because I shot a crappy x-count. I should have cleaned it. Anyway... I digress.

Instead of continuing to tinker with the old thumb button and continuing to limp along... I have decided to take drastic measures. I switched to a Hinge Tuesday. Not only that... the hinge didn't have a rope knot so I am having... :gasp: to shoot a D-Loop. I hate D-Loops partially because I have to use the Hyphen when typing the word, but also because of the extra pressure exerted on the release mechanism, the nock tuning hassles, and the little tuning anomalies that are caused when it pinches or causes rise in the shaft. Theres more, but I don't want to bore you anymore with all of why I hate D-Loops. I also tried Tuesday to shoot a truespot lens. That was the most angering thing I have ever done. I actually got so frustrated on one end that I kinda hucked my release. yes... I did.. I hucked it. I took a second to calm down then did the walk of shame down range to go pick it up. Next I pulled out my good ol' dot lens. Too much changing in one day. Today (wed) I hopped a plane with my son G5 and jetted off to Atlanta. We left mom at home so she could have a break for a while before baby 2 is born. And I will shoot the NAA Nationals on my old home turf. I haven't shot a tournament in GA in 15 or so years. It felt great to get down in my old basement and fling a few at 19 yards. :)

Today my shot was waaaay better and the timing actually matches my aiming curve. OH! I almost forgot. I am shooting the hinge with the click! some of you who have talked with me about the click are dying right now. I have been the most adamant hater of click releases mainly because I never see anyone use the click correctly. Well I am no saint for sure and I am still trying to figure it out, but it is giving me an added layer of security that I need right now. Today I shot a 594 FITA I don't have my 120 breakdown and I am too lazy to go downstairs and look at the scoring stippling and figure it out. You'll have to wait until next time.

So what am I working on tomorrow?

I have to figure out how to raise my comfort level with the release. My back half is way too hard and tense. I have to develop a better face anchor to slow the sight down and work on the flow. It feels nice now, and I am getting arrows off with a consistency that I haven't seen in a great while. So, a little more water under the bridge and lets see how this shakes out.

If anyone is reading this... Feel free to comment so I know you are out there. :) or am I just talking to myself? ;)