CRUD!!!!! I didn't make the team......

I started off with a mediocre score during the qualifacation rounds, so I had to claw my way up to the top to have a chance during the round robins. I did a great job tightening up my score to a 594 during game 2 and that pushed me from around 7th to 3rd. I was feeling pretty strong. Interestingly enough, I felt a little mental shift going into the third round and I lost control of my game and couldn't pull out of it. The good news is I didn't slip below 4th and I am happy to have made up so much ground. However, I really need to get to the bottom of my issues. More to come later on what I am doing to fix the problem.

Eureka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello Watson!? are you there?

Watson! I think I have it. :)

What a great shooting day I have had. I have been changing my swing and really working hard trying to find the right feel, the right tune, and the right combination of all that plus execution. Today I added the final ingredient.

I have been adding weight to my stabilizers in an attempt to slow my bow movement down. I have had an unusual amount of jitter that has been plaguing me for months. I have finally found it.

Tension...

All the tweaking and shooting and weighting and tinkering had caused me to develop tension in my release hand and bow shoulder. This caused a soft float with sudden flicks to the outside of the ring. I could drop four big tens and shoot in the 580s or I could squeeze out something in the low 90s. I had lived with it long enough and was concentrating on other things for so long, that I didn't realize how bad it was.

So, back to my day... I have been taking advice from the folks at Hoyt and some of my Hoyt shooting buddies on tune and bow set up trying to get to the bottom of my little issues. I really couldn't decide if it was me, the bow, the arrow, or a combination of the whole lot. I have to say... It is amazing to me how helpful everyone at Hoyt was and they were spot on with their advice. It is also a testament to Professional Archery how my friends and competitors were so free with their best information to help me get my ducks in a row and my arrows in the ten.

Today, with a combination of the gear tweaks, arrow tweaks, and now my old school relaxed but steady flow of form and relaxed release hand, I had one of those days. One of those days that gives you a glimmer of what could be, or a tiny taste of how well your bow really shoots when you tell it the right things with your form.

WOW. What a great day.

119
119
120
120
120
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598! 300 28 / 300 30

some video time

Here is the results of my my form taping the other day. I thought some of you might be interested in seeing it. I shot a 593 during the taping, but I can see some small things that I should work on. I slowed down the actual shots so I could better see what is going on.

More later.


http://www.archerylive.com/Pic/Video/shooting_0002.wmv

You can't shoot a good FITA score with a baby on your back.

I was on baby duty tonight so the wife could have some needed adult time. So I got the big idea that I could carry on as usual with a baby on my back. Well... he was a total angel at the range and he didn't fuss hardly at all. HOWEVER, It is scientifically proven that you can't keep a 8X scope in the X while a seven month old kicks you in the kidneys.

I just resolved myself to the fact that I was out at WildWood for fun of it. Thanks to Keith, one of the owners, I was able to shoot my broadheads a few times to make sure my hunting rig is ready for the big hunt this weekend while he entertained the baby.

117

(I only could get in one game before G5 decided he was ready to go home)

It was well worth the trip.

Did a little taping today

120
118
119
119
117
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593 (299 27 - 299 26)

Average 118.5

I am still running down a few little hiccups in my swing, but I have settled into a feel and I have passed that invisible point of no return where you have to decide what you are going to do and what you are going to shoot and stick with it.

Some tiny changes to arrow spine through point weight changes and I went to the XT3500 limbs. The initial results are good and I am very excited for the new year.

Here is a close look at the rig I am shooting right now.

I also did a little taping of my form. As soon as I can get it edited I will post links to it today.

Be sure to check and change your nocks!

I have been having a heck of a time with my groups lately and I changed my nocks. My friend Jimmy Butts went from shooting crazy high x counts to missing 5 10s out of 60 arrows. We both changed our nocks and the issue that we spent a couple days on just went away. So, I declare today national scrap your nocks day. I plan to change all of my nocks often from now on. I think this may help my consistency especially when I get out on the road.

First shots with the new XT3500 Limbs

I have been tinkering with my setups trying to get more out of them and the guys at Hoyt have been a huge help. I just got a box in today with a new set of 3500 limbs and a set of Cam1/2 cams to match. I was hoping on some of the new C2 cams, but they are not ready in my size yet.

anyway... I set up the bow and used factory strings, eyeballed the rest and nock,
and just ripped off a round. I had to stop about half way through and retime the bow after the strings settled in, but It shot great.

the XT3500 limbs are well worth it. I feel like they are more forgiving and the bow seems to aim more stable that before.

Time to start a new practice average.

119
119
119
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117
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592 (300 27X - 300 25X)

avrg 118.4

Oh Crud! I almost forgot the baby picture :)

His Royal Highness

George D. Ryals V

:)

"Swing Thoughts"

I can't say that I use swing thoughts in the sense that you imply. I read a lot of golf books so I know exactly what you are talking about. I had heard Tiger talk about swing thoughts before and often wondered exactly what that was... I did a little more reading and ran across this.

"Rehearse the shot with a purpose, then execute it

Before my most recent swing changes I didn't realize the importance of practice swings. They help reinforce swing keys and promote good swing thoughts. Rehearsal swings have helped me with one of my main goals this year: to commit to every swing. Before, I would make a cursory practice swing without that full commitment, and it was mostly a wasted motion. I see the same thing among my amateur playing partners. I also see players make practice swings that don't fit the intended shot. That's a real waste of time and energy......

......If I've made a purposeful rehearsal, fully committed to the shot and executed it to the best of my ability, it's easier to accept the outcome."

Putt to a picture on big breakers

I had only one putting coach in my life, and that was my dad. His concept of putting was simple: Putt to the picture. Whenever I had trouble with my stroke, he would reinforce the early lessons, and I'd regain confidence in my mechanics immediately. That mental technique remains with me in the heat of competition, especially on breaking putts, where visualizing the break and putting to a spot at the apex of the break are critical. I get a picture in my head and stroke the ball toward what I see in the picture while keeping my head perfectly still. Alignment is crucial. A lot of amateurs set up for a putt as if it's straight, then push or pull it back toward the line. Set the face of the putter square to your intended line, then align your body to the putter."

snipped from: http://www.tigerwoods.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=338098&itype=6273

I think what Tiger is getting at here is a dual concept that is referred to in archery as well. mental rehearsal and Total commitment to the shot.

I use mental rehearsal religiously. I do it while driving, working, practicing, and any other time I can be mentally free long enough to shoot a perfect shot. My changes to my swing have really involved the feel of the shot, the actual manipulation of the release, and the memorization of those steps so I can streamline the shot process. I am a believer in the fact that the more natural your style or "swing" is the more consistent you can be under pressure.

While changing my swing I am working through the shot in a very tactile manner. I am using the Morin Trainer to carefully establish my hand feel on the release, my thumb grip on the barrel, and the proper relaxation technique that causes the hand deformation needed to activate the trigger through the pull.

I have almost settled on a feel. I am shooting hundreds of shots with the Morin trainer every day, all day. In the afternoon I go to ten yards with my bow and try out the feel. This give and take between the bow and the trainer is proving to be the perfect combination.

I have shot a dozen or so 600 Fita games from ten yards grooving in what I think is the perfect feel. Tonight I shot 2 120 matches from 20 and that was the first time in a month and a half that I shot from 20. I cleaned both of them and the last 6 shots were pure heaven. I wanted to shoot more, but I was tired and had to head home. I also didn't want to over do it and loose all the head way that I have gotten.

Getting back to swing thoughts.....

The mental rehearsal part is seeing, feeling, and tasting the perfect shot mentally and then doing it. I think of it as a plan of action. In golf you would decide what type of draw or spin you will put on the ball, make up your mind on the technique you will use to attain that goal, and then take a practice swing using the technique and feel that you intend to make the shot with. Then commit to that shot and flow through it with determination and direct every ounce of your positive energy through it.

Shooting a shot in archery is almost the same thing. Here is how I do it. I feel the draw of the bow, align the peep, watch the perfect sight float, and right in time - with the perfect rhythm, kaploop! the perfect shot. Then I put my release on the string and then just recreate it.

Another part of "swing thoughts" for me is the committment to the shot. I have problems with this during 3D or in a very tense shootoff. Negative self talk, doubt, or mental fatigue can cause you to "drop the ball" and the most crucial moment. Sometimes even a negative self image like "i have never cleaned the second day at vegas" can cause you to not be fully committed even on an underlying level.

My swing changes are adressing each of the points that I am weak in and I am totally returning to the basics. I am also dabbling a little in some form changes as well.

Untill next time....

Changed the settings

I was just told that you couldn't comment on blog items unless you are a member. I have chaged that, so post away!

Working on the new swing.

I have been working on shot execution issues for months now and I am zeroing in on a good consistent feel. Feel in the shot is such a fleeting thing, it is hard to grab a hold on it and internalize it forever. I follow golf to some degree and over the years I have watched Tiger Woods change his swing. I didn't understan why the sports announcers made a big deal out of what he was undertaking until now. It is a BIG DEAL to forget 20 year old habits and implant new ones. I have not had too much trouble eradicating the old swing. That sort of happened on its own when I lost feeling in my trigger thumb. Now I have to figure out a good consistent feel to build on.

It has been a while since an update, so here we go!

I officially declare Indoor Training season open!!!!

I am totally changing my swing this year. This is something that I have needed to do since I injured my thumb before the world indoor trials a couple years ago, but I have been in denial. :)

So now I am ready to go. I will be cleaning up my form, Changing my shot execution, and shooting more than ever to get ready for indoor season. I tried my new swing sort of cold turkey at the smackdown at wildwood and shot a couple great scores with tight groups, so I am on the right track, but I still have to think about it too much.

I will be working to memorize my new swing for the next month or so.

I love The Spiral Cams!

It took a little work and shooting, but I love the spiral cams! I am switching all of my bows over to them now. The hard wall and the stiff pull is a little hard to shoot at first, but it appears to be ultra consistent, and easy to shoot well with. My field scores have been bumping up in large chunks lately, so I am very happy with what I have working right now.

I can't wait to give them a shot with my indoor rigs!

See ya'll at the Nationals!

second time out with the Spiral Cams

I put my Spiral Cam bow back together after its sudden dissasembly the other day. I then sent an email to one of my friends at Hoyt and told him that the sprials were kicking my A$$. He clued me in to the fact that hardly anyone shoots the same weight on the spirals that they do on the cam and a half.

So... I turned the bow down a full turn and a half and didn't tune it or anything. I just eyeballed everything into place and shot 3 practice ends at 70M to get it sighted in. The bow held well but I was still having trouble with my dot fit at 70M. Just for kicks I got out my dot pack and and applied a circle with a dot inside. It seemed to work and my groups got more controled, centered, and predictable.

I ended up with a 350 and with the exception of a couple of wild ones. My groups plotted to be smaller than the 10 at 70M. WooHoo! I backed up to 9oM just to check the new aiming reticle and it looked good. I shot a group that even Deitmar Trillus would be proud of. :) (I will be emailing you a pic of that soon little buddy) hehe!

I have been watching the scores at the world cup and those guys are ripping it up! Go Martin Damsbo and Clint Freeman! It looks like they had a close one today.

Today was a little better...

I finally got to shoot my spiral cam UltraElite today. I started off very solid and was grouping very tight at 60 yards. However, when you are out of shape as I am, those spiral cams are a lot of work! I shot several ends at 70M to get an idea of how well it is shooting. I guess by that time I had gotten tired holding the low let off. My beautiful groups at sixty yards became lackluster spatter at 70 M. I will keep working with this one, because I think it has great potential to shoot well for me. It was holding like a rock until I got tired.

I pulled out my old trusty cam and a half UltraElite and shot a quick 36 arrow 70M round. I feel like I grouped well with a couple bad shots. My last two ends were not so hot. I was rushing because it was beginning to get too dark to see.

I'm Back! Well.... On my way back. :)

I set up my spiral cam bow and got out my X10s and blew the dust off of everything. Then promptly went to the range and broke the bow on the first shot. It lashed me almost to death, snapped and arrow in 3 pieces, and I lost my last small hole peep. DRAT! And I spent months trying to get the bow set up and ready to shoot in the tiny gaps of time that I have had since my son was born. After getting over apoplectic fit over my broken control cable, I investigated further to find out that I had the control cable off the track. It let me pull it back but the cam cut the cable when it mistracked on the let down.

Note to self...

Don't be a dummy and check your cables when you take it out of the press.

I was so disappointed I was ready to jump through myself. I went to the car and pulled out my backup and shot a score with it cold turkey. I also have been using TargetPlot. It is a great program for diagnosing scores and getting sighted in. I love it. You can get a test copy at www.targetplot.com

Here is my targets. I had Target Plot post my actual hits and score and my "potential score". The actual hits are in black and the potential hits are in red. It calculates your potential score by centering your pattern over the center of the ten.

I ended up with a 342 and considering the bow was not set up at all, I haven't shot in a couple months, and the weather was less than perfect, I am satisfied with it. I feel like with a little more practice I can get my actual and potential score closer together.

I have made up my mind that I will shoot the right shoots and jump through the proper hoops to be eligible for the USAT and the World Cup events. Those things look like a blast. I will shoot 70M for the rest of the summer and get my X10s set up perfect.

Ok, time for some shooting.

The baby is getting along great and my household is settling into the new routine without much trouble at all. Now it is time to cram and get ready for The STAN Open.

I got my hands on a half dozen X-10s and I will be documenting my tuning and setup procedure, so those interested can see how I do it.

Stay tuned...

G5 is here, happy and well.

Now that was the coolest thing I have ever experienced. I payed close attention to the doctors work. I was told that he was the best, but now I have seen the best in action! He was amazing and really showed me that birthing babies is an art form that requires finesse and careful care during the process. Sarah came through the experience just fine and due to the doctors care in delivery, she didn't experience any coplications.

We really lucked out to be birthing at the best hospital and with the best doc. Thanks for the referral Kim!

Houston!? Everything is Green for Launch

I am exited to report that Sarah's doc has taken her off of all meds and all bedrest restrictions. We are ready for launch! I guess time will tell. She has been having some tiny hints of progression but nothing solid yet. It is only 9:30pm so maybe tonight, maybe 3 weeks from now. Who knows.

If it rains, it pours.

ok, so here is where I am right now. I have a pregnant wife that is so uncomfortable she can't stand it and there is nothing I can do to make her more comfortable. I was just recovering from a severely twisted ankle that caused me to limp like quasimodo for 3 weeks. Just yesterday I ended up in the ER with a bulged disk pressing on my sciatic nerve. It was the most excruciating pain I have ever endured. I have been on my back in bed for the last two days, so there hasn't been any shooting. I am just praying I can get out of my crippled state before the baby comes. Sarah is really going to need me in fitter shape than this for sure.

The weather here is showing signs of breaking and I am really excited to get out the X10s. I have a test half dozed that I haven't touched yet and will go through the systematic process of divining the right cut of the back and working the bows tune around them. I have not had great luck with X10s in the past, but I know more now and hope to give it a good run this season. I have been taking tips from some of the pros that have them shooting great and hopefully I can put them to good use.