Developing a Shooting Plan Pt 1 & 2

[Bow Walker]

Here are some thoughts from George Ryals 4th (Griv for short) on Developing A Shot Sequence. This is applicable to all styles of archery.

The purpose is a shot sequence is twofold; first, to help the archer analyze in a systematic manner what exactly they are doing when they are shooting their arrow. Secondly, it provides a "plan" that the archer can follow while they are shooting their arrow. In a training journal the archer should first write down what they think their shot sequence is, and then verify that they are in fact following the written shooting sequence. If the archer has a coach, the coach should be able to read the written shot sequence and be able to roughly see the archer hit all the points in their sequence. When in a training session the archer should be conscious to a point that that they are following their shot sequence, and that comes from spending time learning and verifying they are following the defined shot sequence.

The shot sequence shouldn't be set in stone; it should evolve as the archer learns tasks, progresses and recognizes problems. When an archer first starts archery the shot sequence should be quite short, as a person can only coordinate and concentrate on so many tasks when they are learning a new complicated task. As the archer progresses their shot sequence evolves, they can accommodate coordinating and concentrating on more aspects when performing complicated tasks. The archer can also incorporate recognized ongoing problems they need to pay attention to, into the shot sequence.

So as an example, a new archer may have a shot sequence like the following:

- Assume Stance
- Check to make sure feet are even
- nock arrow
- attach release
- extend bow arm
- put sight pin on center of target
- draw bow into target
- aim/put thumb on trigger
- trigger release
- follow-through with arm up
- end

It is simple, it explains sequentially what the archer is doing in a manner that makes sense to him/herself. It also keeps the archer thinking about the steps they should be accomplishing and thereby providing consistency in how tasks are executed.