Can a good hit be a BAD SHOT? Recurve and Traditional Archery Tips

[@calebleonard5714]

A technique I use to improve shot cycle is shooting blindfolded or eye closed. Move the target to about 3 yards so you don't miss; the goal is not to hit the target with any precision. When you are blind folded, all of your attention can be on the draw, anchor, release, etc without the distraction of focusing on the target. This will isolate your technique practice from your target practice. It has improved my shooting. Great video.

[@malachimatcho7583]

That sounds like an awesome suggestion man!! Sometimes when I’m just working on my shot sequence, after about 30 shots or so, I’ll catch myself aiming at my target instead. Shooting blind would detach me from some of those triggers that cause me to start paying more attention to where my arrows are going instead of focusing on my form.

[@embe9146]

I want to try this, great idea. Every day is an opportunity to learn. I don't know if I could go to the range and start shooting blindfolded though they might frown upon that. 😬

[@kenmargison9095]

lmao. i know now im not the only one that talks to myself and constantly put pressure on myself to do better. im 50 and been shootin a trad bow since i was 5. your right about the garden too. Good vid, thanks.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Ken

[@timvandusen4192]

What you said at around 4:30 is something of key importance in this video in my opinion. A shot can hit where it's aimed sometimes just by luck. But if the execution wasn't perfect, reproducing the same hit is unlikely, while reproducing the bad execution is likely, if it's not recognized as being so.

[@clayhayeshunter]

exactly!

[@zacharymanning5787]

Great words and reminders! Never. Stop. Learning

[@clayhayeshunter]

you know it buddy!

[@mattwhite9046]

Early in my career, we were told, “Professionals focus on their process. Amateurs focus on their results.” Words to live by.

[@laundrysauce234]

Reminds me of welding. You don’t check your progress, you’re gonna have horrible results. It almost forces you to stay in the moment and focused on the task at hand without worrying about the whole end product.

[@brotherscoyote]

Good advise! Read Lanny Bashem’s With Winning In Mind. It will change your life, regardless of how you apply it.

[@nearlynativenursery8638]

Superb instructions Clay.

[@jazzpunkt40]

Love it. I've been in my shop shooting until 2 or 3 am because something didn't feel right and couldn't stop and sleep until it did. I've been shooting 25 years and there's never a day where I feel 100% about all aspects of my form. Going back to traditional archery and that true form actually made me realize issues I had with the setup of my compound rig that could have cost me in the field.

[@embe9146]

I just want to say I am incredibly thankful for the knowledge that you share. I've only been shooting for about 2 months now and every day I go out, I try and keep your advice fresh in mind. Thanks clay.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Stick with it Matthew!

[@joshc6841]

Awsome video, I caught myself doing this with my heavier bow and then decided to go back to my 30lb and focus only on form again. My irst traditional hunting seasons in a month, thank you for all of the videos. They have helped me prepare.

[@scottsanders9090]

Excellent instruction Clay… The commitment to the quest for the elusive perfect shot execution must always stay at the forefront. Was shooting at a traditional 3D club that scores only 10’s, 8’s and 5’s. This challenging course yielded a banner day. I had 31 ten’s, 8 eights and one 5. I only had two shots that I would consider as perfect shot executions for me. If I hadn’t been primarily focusing on the shot execution, the results could just have easily been reversed or even worse. Even under the pressure and excitement of taking a shot on game, I focus on the shot execution which has served me well in significantly reducing anxiety, making poor shot executions and yielding consistent success.

[@Acroballistics]

I remember reading somewhere "it takes 300 reps to create a habit and 2000 reps to correct an old habit". The numbers are probably wrong and they will vary but the point is to practice consistently and to be focused. Same for every act, even for walking.

[@michaelh.weiser6502]

Thank you especially for this video. There's a lot of Zen in the traditional way 🙏 they say " an arrow never lies" , but you also have to honest to yourself, in archery and life Take care

[@stefanvanvuuren3931]

Oooo yes, you hit it on the spot today Clay! Hahaha, no everything you mentioned is exactly where I went wrong when I started. The first issue was I was completely over bowed and then carried on training with my bad form and habits. Today even though I can shoot an okayish group it's only on luck, cause I have no consistent anchor point and no back tension. The worst part is that SEED you mentioned grew to the point where I am now with full-on target panic where I am completely out of control over my shots. So the only way I know how to fix this is by buying a super light bow like 30# and then starting off shooting eyes closed into a blanket and just focusing on form.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Check out some of Joel Turner's stuff on target panic.

[@stefanvanvuuren3931]

@@clayhayeshunter thank you, will do.

[@mattwhite9046]

If you haven’t already, try a clicker.

[@filipbertilsson2240]

Hi Clay! It's funny that you have just posted this video. This is exactly what I'm fighting with. Developing a bad habit. I started to shoot very fast. The grouping is ok but after the shot I can't really say where I was aiming or if I was aiming at all. I suddenly felt that I started loosing it and now I'm on my way back to where I was many weeks ago.... And I takes ten times more afford to get it back then loosing it. Thanks for encouraging video! Greetings from Sweden!

[@clayhayeshunter]

No problem filip.

[@randyscott9034]

Spot on I started shooting with no reference to what it takes to make a good archer I have bad habits I cannot seem to over come

[@CerstveMleko]

Awesome skills, awesome channel

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thank you so much 👍

[@AbenteuerLernenNet]

Thank you for bringing up this topic. Let's work at our weak points or we probably get a problem. And as you mentioned it's like life itself: some people are satisfied with the results, some go father for character.

[@karlhagen960]

Great video, I hope most people watching will embrace these ideas and strive for continuous improvement. Not only becoming better archers but more ethical hunters. It is amazing the number of views in the first hour of posting. Looks like Covid has everyone sitting in from of there computer waiting for more archery content to pop up, I mean working hard at their jobs sheltering at home :) Regards and Shoot straight.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Thanks Karl

[@dillardwinters4882]

Thanks I thougt I was to old to remember my form one day to the next. It's good to hear a younger person has the same problem to, or similar problem.

[@jakerogers6562]

Thanks for the video brother. I am used to stacking all my arrows from my longbow in a a 2" or smaller dot at 20 yards. The past three days i have got all out of whack. I'm sticking 2 or 3 in the bull but the next couple will be all over the place. On average i shoot 50 to 100 arrows a night after work. Should i give myself a break to rest for a few days ? Any tips would be awesome. I love your videos man!

[@chrisjohnson38]

My target panic got that bad about ten years ago that through frustration I put the trad bows down for about eight years and only started to get back into it a couple of years ago, interestingly I kind of forgot alot of the bad habits I gathered and worked on better form and thankfully I'm back shooting Trad with confidence.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Excellent!

[@lesterdumm6477]

Ok, so try to go ahead and engage all of the back tension with a firm anchor. Then control your release. Get the fletching's on the nose right away. The shot at 5 was what I was talking about. That is why it felt so good. I, Personally, have found that if I wait to engage my back and then go through the "keep pulling" stage until the fletch touches my nose, it gets so hard to pull through the shot that my TP wants to take over. If I go ahead and get it all done, I can then concentrate on a smooth release. I can always go back in my shot sequence and pull through just to change things up, but it doesn't take long before Mr. TP takes over.

[@mikker32]

What is TP? English is not my native language

[@robsarchery9679]

Great video.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@philipsutton2316]

Wow - always love seeing you shoot Clay. Great video. How far off for the hunting season to start in your neck of the woods? Can't wait to see you giving some critters nightmares!

[@clayhayeshunter]

I shoot year round but really ramp up through the summer.

[@matstinnett7138]

Great info. I would like to know if you feel the oppisite is true too. Can you have a good shot process, but not hit exactly where you aimed

[@clayhayeshunter]

sure, there are other things out of your control that could cause you to not hit where you're aiming.

[@Amir__the__realtor]

thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I am a great fan of your videos. keep it up. i have a problem with shooting my recurve. when arrows hit the target, they are not parallel to each other and the penetration of arrows is way different from arrow to arrow. I always try my best to be consistent . how do you think i can fix this issue?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Just work on your form and alignment. Plus not collapsing on release.

[@anibalmasneri7994]

A while back, which I really enjoy. I am a lover of nature, hunting, and adventure. I am also a Father and I try to teach my people this. For this reason, and in order to continue sharing, I suggest that if you can somehow subtitle the videos in Spanish. thanks greetings.

[@unknown-archer]

very interesting ,,

[@DamonHowattHunter]

A solid shot process is always a good thing to have because day to day shooting feels different. With that foundation at least there is a measurable factor in each process of the shot to critique and reflect. Back tension and followthrough are probably more a problem than most people think; and most people will probably misidentify it as a poor release from the hand.

[@rickymathis7971]

Clay you have help me so much I shot the way you did but never consistent I copy your way of aiming and do well I'll get better bro I hope someday I can talk you out of one of your selfbows mine broke on the top after 11years I felt lucky it lasted that long it was the only one I ever built .I know this was kinda long.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Glad I could help Ricky, and get started on another bow! That's half the fun.

[@rickymathis7971]

Thanks buddy but I don't have that house or shop anymore it was one of those things that I couldn't control I got hurt and I they wouldn't work with me but it's all cool.I can still.shoot pretty good and I can hunt.

[@timormsby1722]

"Don't practice until you get it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong"

[@clayhayeshunter]

I like that

[@SolelyApalachian]

Hey how are you doing just wondering if you sell bows

[@aaronstrickland7461]

Hey Clay i love your channel. Very inspirational the way you run your life and family. I learn alot with all your videos. I notice after you built this new bow that you stopped using a clicker. Why?

[@clayhayeshunter]

I will still use a clicker on occasion. I like to be able to shoot without one though because they can be damaged in the woods. I don't like to depend on them in other words.

[@aaronstrickland7461]

@@clayhayeshunter that makes alot of sense. I just started with traditional archery about 6 months ago. I am thinking about putting one on my bow is why i was asking.

[@Artlioe]

Hey Clay! Have you ever experimented with the rotational draw? I started trying it out when I saw an instagram video from Tom Clum Sr. and it helps me enter my back muscles earlier in the shot process. Do you have any thoughts on it? Thanks for the video!

[@clayhayeshunter]

I’ll address just in an upcoming vid.

[@jonnyhatter35]

3:03 "this is beet juice! I'm a beet farmer. . . good *sir*!

[@officerfoxtrot3633]

Curious about the brand of Target. Been looking for a realistic size and look Deer target for awhile. Best I can come up with on size has been Glen del full rut but Rinehart’s professional series got the looks. I don’t mind spending the money but would hate to chew up a $500+ rinehart in a couple years due to occasional broadheads and extensive daily

[@clayhayeshunter]

I like the EZ Pull Big buck from bigshottargets.com

[@americanpatriot661]

I just had a custom 60" 2pc recurve built from a reputable bowyer. Everything was perfect and just what I asked for except one very important thing, the grip. He dropped the ball and my $1200 custom recurve has become a big disappointment. Its something I could overcome but could end up developing bad habits. Hand placement to me is important.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Grip shape is really down to the individual. You should still be able to make adjustments to it if you're willing to take the handle wrap off (if it has one) and add some epoxy to build it up. once it's built up you can reshape to your liking.

[@lesterdumm6477]

60 Years and still a work in progress.

[@thomcramer2213]

Well it all comes down to persistence, discipline, a huge bag of self-assessment/self-criticism, let's put our egos aside and straighten out what needs to be addressed and don't embarrass yourselves if you can't do it on your own simply 'seek for good help' (it's available around the world) And learn to....., Let your arrow do the job

[@theguyinmaine]

Do you talk about your shot out loud when there is no camera? I do. My neighbor probably thinks I'm nuts. Maybe he's right.

[@unknown-archer]

your perfect for is not anothers

[@puregameplay7916]

May I ask what wood that bow is made out of?

[@clayhayeshunter]

Osage orange

[@jjreno7843]

I have been bowhunting for almost 50 years and have struggled with target panic on and off for several of those years. One thing that I have found that really helps get my form back. First I tell myself that I'm just going to draw, aim, get my back tension correct and that I'm NOT going to shoot. I then let down and repeat, then after several repetitions with the full intention of letting down ,when it feels perfect I change my mind and release the string. Then repeat the whole prosses over again, after a few of these practice sessions muscle memory takes over and my problem usually subsides

[@richardquick826]

Full shot pandemic. That's me. For 73 years , I am still trying

[@lesterdumm6477]

One arrow at a time. Talk and think about it.

[@jerrycox2058]

I was shooting in a 3D tourament one time and had the highest score but to me it was very lousy shooting. Yes, I had a lot of kills that added up quickly but they were sloppy kills and I knew it. I knew that I was aiming over here in the kill and yet hit over there in the kill. still a kill but that wasn't what I wanted at all. When we accept the sloppy kills as good, then we are setting ourselves up for sloppy hunting shots. The difference between hoping that you can make the shot and knowing that you can.

[@clayhayeshunter]

True

[@michaelmcelhinney691]

So Clay made a video about my trad career. Ok. Lol lol

[@knolltop314]

Value of the clicker.

[@clayhayeshunter]

Yep, they can make things much easier!

[@unknown-archer]

your perfect shot is not my perfect shot...

[@scontzthompsonmusic9196]

Trade yer weapon in for a pair of binoculars.

[@scontzthompsonmusic9196]

And hug a tree.

[@Wolf-xu1fj]

In 20 years you haven't learned to put the arrow on the right side of the bow