I was aiming at a wall for the sake of the photo ;-)
| Name: | Jim McPhail |
| Nickname: | -Mac |
| E-mail: | mac@jmcphail.freeyouknowwhattodoserve.co.uk |
| Newsgroups: | rec.sport.archery, alt.archery |
|
| I'm gonna get you, window! I was aiming at a wall for the sake of the photo ;-) |
It may sound like I'm creeping, but I think the Sagittarius forum is *the* place for serious archery chat/info exchange.
However... I have found the newsgroups to be entertaining, helpful and a constant source of amusement. Most of the people there are well informed and great to chat with.
Hoyt Avalon Plus 25" riser in Fade Blue/Black
Border XP10 Evolution limbs (68" bow length) 38lbs @ 28", 43lbs on fingers
Plastic medium grip (wooden one has too big a throat for my liking)
18-strand FastFlight string with cotton top nocking point
Easton ACE 570 arrows (29")with 95 grain points (no inserts)
Beiter In/Out nocks (12/2) day-glo orange
Yellow SpinWing 1.75" vanes
Arten Olympic sight
Arten 2000 parallel carbon longrod (30") with doinker
Arten 2000 v-bar
Arten 2000 parallel carbon twins (10") with doinkers
Cavalier FreeFlyte Micro magnetic rest
Shibuya DX pressure button
Limb Savers
Cavalier finger sling
Wilson tab (no platform, no finger separator)
For indoor 2001/2002: Easton X7 Eclipse aluminium arrows (2114) with Beiter nocks (white, 12/2). Same SpinWings as for my ACEs. Already destroyed 3 out of 8 X7s from Robin Hood-ing them :-( Jan 2003 - down to 4 arrows :-(
Started shooting at school (aged 12) with 12lbs draw weight fibreglass bow. Shot for 2 years then stopped for 7 years (until 1991). Bought a wooden take-down bow and some Easton XX75s and shot for 2 more years. Stopped again. Started again in 1997 and have been shooting regularly since then. Bought a Marksman KG1 in 1998 then switched to the Avalon+ in 1999.
*OLD STUFF* Currently 1st Class (GNAS) but very, very near getting Bowman. I would have got it this year, I think, if I hadn't been working too hard and not been able to shoot very often :-(
*OLD STUFF* Achieved Bowman status fairly early on during the summer 2001 period and managed to shoot one Master Bowman score at the end of the summer. Got my first GNAS Rose award (900/black) and my first FITA Star (1100/black). On course for 1200 FITA Star in 2002 if I can maintain (or improve) my form.
*OLD STUFF*
I am now (as of 20/1/02) the Gloucestershire Archery Society County Indoor Champion (Portsmouth round/577/40 golds) :-)
*OLD STUFF*
I finished in 2nd place at the Grand Western Archery Society Regional Indoor Championships (10/2/02). It was a FITA 18m (my first ever) and I scored 549/46 golds. I was beaten by 2 points - grrrrr! ;-)
*OLD STUFF*
I recently became a member of the Gloucestershire County Team :-))))))))
I shot my first 1000 point York round on 31/5/02 (1004)
*UPDATE*
Just won (19/1/03) the Gloucestershire Archery Society County Indoor Championships for the second consecutive year (despite very nearly not turning up because of a cold) :-) Scored 570/35 golds (and a few 8s).
Is it just me or is the importance of where to put the string blur overlooked? I often meet archers (at competitions) that have shot for years and don't know anything about the concept.
Clickers - aaaaaaarrgggggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!
Why isn't everyone *forced* to use them from the start? ;-)
When shooting in the evenings and the light is fading...
Use the Force! I've shot some of my best 80 yard ends in very low light - just wish I could shoot as good the rest of the time.
To unlimited compound shooters without valid medical reasons for shooting them: STOP CHEATING AND GET A RECURVE!!!!!!! ;-) Scopes, indeed! Tut tut! ;-)
;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)
BACK TENSION
I recently (Winter 2001) discovered that I've been using the wrong back muscles for the last 4 years! Aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrghhhhhhhhh!
Fortunately, I've settled into the correct technique within 2 weeks and I'm already shooting personal best scores again :-)
Here is the best description (from one of my coaches) that I've ever heard about learning the "feel" of correct back muscle tension:
1) Stand up straight (but relaxed), look ahead, arms hanging loosely by your side
2) Raise arms out in front to shoulder level
3) Keep arms raised and use your back muscles to pull back your shoulders
4) Keep shoulders back and swing your bow arm towards the target
5) Turn head to look at target
6) Raise drawing hand to your normal anchor/reference point
If you do it correctly, you'll feel tension between your shoulder blades. Try to capture this feeling when you shoot.
A huge thank you to Graham Williams and Chris Kemp for coaching me.
