So, what's been happening?

Well, it has been a long while since I last posted on my blog. This year has been a quieter year for me, intentionally so, as I changed jobs and did not know where that would lead me. As it turns out, I can pursue my archery just as much and with more flexibility around shooting time, so that's good.

This year has been actually pretty good. I have shot more PB's than ever before, even though I have not shot as much (through work and some by choice), and I really feel I am better than previous years not just in technique but understanding of bow setup.

So the highlights this year are:

• Re-qualified my EFAA SFM classification.
• Won the EFAA Spring Champs.
• Shot an EFAA national record for the Forester round.
• Shot numerous PB's for the Field, Hunter and 3D rounds in EFAA competitions.
• Came second at the SCAS Field Champs (with a FITA Field PB and my first MB score).
• Won the Surrey Field Champs and retained my title from last year.
• Gone back to a Mathews C3 as I think this is more comfortable to shoot, even though the PSE Supra was superb over the last two years.

What will I do for next year? I am going to focus more one FITA Field and get that cracked as best I can. I would like to get at least my MB next year and start to push for GMB, but its really down to what happens on the day and the course, but its a goal to aim for. but I will continue to shoot IFAA as well, time permitting of course!

Whitemark Bowmen 3D Memorial Shoot, a National Record and the EFAA Spring Champs

It has been a busy few weeks shooting wise. First, the Whitemark Bowmen 3D Memorial Shoot was cancelled and put back to the end of April. I had hoped having shot a PB on the Hunter round I would take some good form into this shoot. However I got sloppy on some targets; not coming down when I should do and gave away some cheap points. It was enough for second place though, with a score of 534 for the Precision round, but I take no satisfaction from that. I also had a few problems with the fibre pin on my new scope to sort out.

However, on the bright side I shot an EFAA National Record at Panther Bowhunters for the New Marked Forester round, upping it from 930 to 995. My form was much better and more like what I know I can shoot like. I received my certificate at the EFAA Spring Championships.

And finally, this weekend was the EFAA Spring Championships, comprising of a Hunter round on the Saturday and the New Marked Forester on the Sunday. Day one was a bit of a disaster, shooting under 530 for the first time ever with a 529. I could not get any form going and shot a succession of 19/20 throughout the day. It was enough for 3rd, and a place in the top group on the Sunday.

On the Sunday I headed for the practice range and did some blank boss shooting, with the hope I could figure out the problem. I worked out it was my rear elbow alignment, and as a result I shot a brilliant first 2/3 of the round. I hit a bit of a stumbling block where my arrows started hitting above the spot on the last few targets, and I fell short of beating my own record with a final score of 985. But, it was enough to win the FU class by a mere two points across the two days.

This was a pleasing result, simply because I worked the problem and dramatically turned it around to come away with the win, even with the pressure of shooting effectively head to head in the top group with the second placed archer, who on day one was way out in front. Not only did the blank boss shooting give me the insight into what the problem was, but also a comment from an archer I shot with on the first day. He was talking about his days as an international archer, and he said you have to want it so badly that you could walk up to the target and smash your fist through it. That stuck on my mind for the rest of the weekend.

Next up, the EFAA Bowhunter Champsionships, an un-marked 3D round over two days. This is going to need some serious practice!

EFAA Hunter round PB

I shot a Hunter classification round at Panther and put in a very nice PB of 544. It's my aim this year to be clearing 540+, and having narrowly missed out on my last classification shoot, it was nice to do it on my second of the year. That means I have also re-qualified for my SFM classification.

I started the round with a lowly 17/20, and other than the last few targets when the rain came down hard, the round was probably the best I have shot for a long time. I did finish the last target, a 70 yard walk-up, with a really nice tight group for a 20/20. I will need to learn not to cramp up when things get wet!

This form was attributed to my release aid grip more than anything else. Keeping a constant pressure across the whole hand mean't that my aim was not bobbing up and down so much. Often, the grip pressure is uneven and can cause, I think, the release aid to pivot, which transmits to the d-loop and ultimately the bow.

What has also helped is that the last few weeks indoors, I have been shooting on a blank boss to get the feel of the shot. The results are starting to now show so I will continue with doing this.

This weekend is my first 3D competition of the year at Whitemark Bowmen. If I shoot as well again, I should be in the running.

EFAA Field round PB

Today I shot an EFAA Field round at Whitemark Bowmen (classification shoot), hoping to get near the 540 mark. Rather than trying to get the minimum SFM scores (530+), my aim is to start hitting 540 and higher this year.

I nearly did it. In the end I shot 534, with the last arrow on the last target of the day missing the face due to a cracked nock that exploded on release. It was a decent shot on a shortish target so it was a theoretical 539, just short of 540.

I am not disappointed though. Despite dropping some silly points, I shot well overall. I have been working on my thumb position on the trigger, having been shooting with the tip of the thumb on the trigger recently. This has not been working, and so have gone back to wrapping my thumb around it and being positive with pulling through the shot.

What has also helped is putting a little more weight on the back rod, which has resulted in the aim becoming steadier, hence me being more relaxed, therefore resulting in better execution. A more balanced bow can result in shots being squirted upwards if the hand pressure is not right, but I think I gain more than I lose. No such problems today.

Whats next for 2013?

I have been considering what I want to do for 2013. I maybe changing jobs soon, and it may have an impact on my shooting time. At very least, I may not have regular shooting slots any more. So, I need to have a way of just being able to shoot with no frills.

Last season, I shot a lot of FITA Field, including un-marked, and is an area I need to improve to be good at it. However, I just need to spend my time shooting, so unmarked will take a step back this year. I will focus on EFAA shoots, as I enjoy the precision nature of the Field and Hunter rounds, and marked 3D. This way, I just turn up and shoot good shots.

I have also decided to make a "guest" appearance at the Surrey Target Champs this year as a one off. By the time the shoot comes around in July, I wont have shot a FITA in two years. I wont practice hard for it, I will just get some sight marks and maybe shoot a few ends at 90m in the weeks leading up to it. Then we will see what happens...

I did have a go at 90m today though on a 80cm FITA Field face. After getting a sight mark, which involved pulling the sight all the way in a messing around with the windage, I shot a rather nice group!