GR8atta2d

I tell you, this is my first time shooting 5 spot. I've always shot vegas 600 round.

Since this is so much easier..it really becomes a mind game. You throw 1 early, say in the 1st 10 arrowsand you start thinking &^%$ that's gonna be a 294 (average miss 1 out of every10)..and then it compounds itself.

Like Sunday I was hitting 5 's with a very poor X count ..thinking man this is gonna get me eventually..Once you think it..it happens!

Perhaps shooting with someone would be better, at least you have the concentration in actual face to face competition.

I shoot way too fast by myself.

RDHunter

Yea ... I know what you mean , when first started four weeks ago I didn't think much of it.
To me it's like shooting at a 3D range , just standing so many yards away and shooting but with the five spot I find myself concentrating on the X's alot more.
Shooting outside when it's cold makes you want hurry up and get it done but I learned to pace myself and concentrate more on my form.
I shot better last week than I ever did and with a little luck and more mind control , I hope to do better for the last four.

Primitive Weapon

My biggest challenge is keeping my concentration level for 60 shots. I'm easily distracted at times and my mind will wonder.

KodiakArcher

Yep, it's all mental after a while. I've developed target freeze this week somehow... (It's the opposite of target panic.) I get the scope settled in on the 'x' and the shot won't go off, I either try holding out for it too long and shank one off into the '4' or (if I'm smart) I let down and start over. I need to get up and do some blind bailing and get my stuff back together again before shooting this week's round or RD is going to tan my hide!

Rick James

Shoot each shot for what it is.........it's only an arrow. Don't think about shooting 4's, and don't think about what that last arrow was scored as.

Think about the arrow you are about to shoot, and actually build the visualization of that arrow hitting an inside out X into every shot. Easier said than done but writing that shot process down is crucial. If you can't see that arrow hit the X in your mind it probably won't happen. Myshot process is as follows, and this is printed on a sticker that sits on the back of the top limb on all my bows used for competition. Each line item isobviously abbreviated on the sticker so it fits, but I do each step before each arrow.

Rest bow arm (Stab on foot)
Foot position
Nock Arrow
Hook up release
Set bow hand
Align core
Aquire target
Visualize proper execution
Visualize lack of bow arm tension
Raise bow/set front bow shoulder
Draw/breathe
Anchor
Feel wall/set tension in back
Relax - no bow arm tension
Commit
Aim
Finish shot to reference/touch point

Find out how long it takes your perfect shots to break. Have someone sit behind you and time your shot sequence. You will begin to see a pattern, 99.9999% of your perfect shots all break at the same time. Train yourself to build a sequence that is repeatable so that your execution happens at the same time and your scores will go up.

My perfect shots happen exactly 4.5 seconds after hitting full draw. If I wait past 5.5 seconds I rarely hit the X ring on a 5 spot target.

Rick James

Also, out of curiousity what are you scoring on the vegas face? Are you shooting large 10 rings, or baby X's at 10's? I shoot a lot of vegas, if you are shooting 575+ (large 10's) you should easily be in the 300's on a 5 spot with mid 40X count.

GR8atta2d

Rick..thanks that's quality stuff I appreaciate it. I'd love to have an actual lesson..but they may tell me to take up darts..lol

Baby X's at tens on the vegas...I wish I was a 575 Shooter My average thus far this year through 4 weeksis 560 I've never broke the 570 mark with 568 being my best! Another mental block!

I shoot bowhunter class.. no mods to my hunting set-up except some fatter shaft arrows. I don't even turn down the poundage I shoot at 65 lbs...I probably should dial it down huh?

mobow

I think every bowhunter should shoot a spot league.....You're exactly correct...It is a mental aspect that you don't get w/ anything else. It really keeps you sharp.

RDHunter

Rick James

a k a ( ob rick canknowbow )

TFOX

5 spot is a mentall game above all else and then it becomes a form game.

Rick gave an excellent example of how and why it is a mentall game.If he deviates from his shot sequence,the result is less than favorable.


This is why I never liked 5 spots.I am a bit hyper and settling down for 60 arrows at 20 yardsjust bored me.I wish I could have enjoyed it because serious shooters need this kind of discipline to be better at whatever type of archery they choose.I loved 3-d because of the mobility and various types of shots it offered.I did get quite good at it but never to the level I could have if I would have enjoyed 5-spot.