Not sure how to ask this, but I'll give it a go. I've been shooting archery for 40 years or so. I used to shoot a lot of tournaments, but the drive to compete has just kinda faded away. These days I still shoot quite a bit, but mostly for fun. Hunting has always been number 1 for me.

My son and I shoot in a bowhunter league once a week. It's set up differently each week with 3-D targets. 10- 30 yard shots indoors. We use the 10 8 5 scoring system. My score is averaging 7.5 per target every week, with my total score per week being within 1-2 points per night. When I shoot at my own targets, I like to shoot NFAA 300 rounds. I feel this is the best way to work on my form. I average 270 points, give or take 1 or 2 points. I've shot these kind of scores for years.

My question is, how do I kick it up a notch and take it to the next level? I'm happy with my form and my equipment, so it has to be something to do with my head. Any suggestions? Just asking. Thanks, Barry

Not sure what you mean by "kick it up a notch". Imo it sounds like you need to have fun with archery again, maybe your shooting has become too much of a routine. If so may i suggest stumping or aerial targets?

My family and i also love to shoot 2 liter bottles and tennis balls with rubber blunts. My 7 and 4 yo love it

X2 what ky_hunter said Barry. Maybe keepin' score has got the best of your natural archery abilities. Some random shots at unknown distances at different types of targets will put the fun back in your shooting. A bit of relaxed roving and stumping will clear the way.

Deno

Barry at your level which is impressive to me I think it would take a lot to see any gains. I am no expert but I would suggest shooting at 50 - 60 yards a couple of times a week. Those long targets really help shave points off short targets in my limited experience. Please don't practice to much as I don't want your string making to suffer.....!

it not the next level. it figure out what went wrong on the not so go shoots, not focused bad release and so on when a shot goes bad think about what happened for it to go bad. and workon fixing the problem. may be slow down or block everything out or not totally focused on the sure easy shoot. you fix the mistakes and the score will go up.

In our minds to stay steady at the shot. We aren't machines so some days are better than others and some you stay in bed maybe? LOL

Your scores are extremely consistent. No ups and downs or whoops. Perhaps a professional coach?? good Luck. >>>---> Ken

Start shooting filed rounds if you have the opportunity. The different ranges add a new challenge t your thought process.

Tennis balls with blunts is a hoot. But dang they will go a looooong way if you hit 'em solid. Not as far as a golf ball though. :)

AVERAGE 270. That's friggin' incredible. Don't ask questions, give advise. I doubt there's another 2 or 3 that visit here that could do that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and maybe 10 15 that ever hit 270.

Bowmania

A very timely post. Watched a video by Wolfie just yesterday and the topic was "What Kind of Archer Do You Want to Be" and he addressed the very question to which you allude. I would suggest watching it for whatever it's worth to you. It's on Youtube. Sounds thought like it's not fun anymore. Personally, I shoot for the fun of it and to be the best I can as it relates to hunting. I'll quit when it ceases to be fun.

"so it has to be something to do with my head. Any suggestions?"

"but the drive to compete has just kinda faded away" - There's the problem. Some men go through a change of life period where they question their values.

Focus on each shot. Tell yourself every time, every shot, "You've done it before and can do it again."

Ability and desire are related.

Barry - I don't want to cause a debate but I am curious on how you would describe your sight picture/aiming method. Thank

I like what Wild Bill told you. It's easier to get to a certain level, than it is to get past it. Will and perseverance is a big deal.

Hey Barry, w/ avg scores of 270, really good, you will have to apply yourself in Olympic athlete fashion! Each person, is capable of a certain score according to his GOD given abilities, I believe, w/ normal interest and practice. But like in any sport or contest, w/out training like an Olympic athlete, which few of us are wont to do, your level of achievement won't rise unless super practice, unbending dedication, and professional coaching are involved. And even when the above discipline is undertaken, some just don't have the innate ability to achieve the best of the best! Golf is a great example of this principal. But, there are exceptions to every rule, and you might be one of them!;^) Wyatt

"some just don't have the innate ability to achieve the best of the best! Golf is a great example of this principal."

One's potential is much higher than most think. You mention golf, well for decades I struggled with the golf swing, but now that I finally solved the golf swing I can hit driver off cement w/o even teeing up the ball and that requires precision biomechanics. I can also demonstrate what I consider to be all the valid golf swing models, going from one to another within seconds and all shots are at a high professional level.

Yes it took a lot of work, but if I would have had this knowledge earlier, my learning curve would have been a fraction of what it was. Most people in golf and archery really don't know what the heck they are doing.

https://youtu.be/i4v6X-Xuat8

Maybe you just need better strings ;)

Shooting 270 means that you either arent focusing as well on the 3D or just that you havent translated it to other ranges. I doubt it is the latter. If you 'know your 20' that well, you be able to translate it for 3D.

What distances on your 3D? Do you keep the same shot sequence you do on your 300?

Ah, i see you said 10-30 yard shots. Is it the mixed yardage or the lack of defined bullseye that throws you?

I'd like to have your problems. For the 300 round if you are shooting your hunting bow you may want to switch to a dedicated barebow rig like all the guys are shooting.

I agree, add some NFAA field archery to the regimen to spice things up a bit. You can shoot field, hunter and animal rounds.

The next level? Hmmm...Do you mean with 3d specifically or in general? What is your setup for indoor? Same as hunting? Target archery is a game, with rules and limitations. A much different game than hunting. Average 270? That's a big deal, Bowmania is correct in that most guys who read this board wont ever shoot that let alone average it. If you have the mental and physical ability to average 270 indoor, in a properly measured and shot round, then you can easily do better than 7.5 ppt on 3d with a 30 yd max. I would imagine that equipment (read arrows) would get you up a point per target at least. Being successful at unknown yardage 3d has a lot to do with managing trajectory. Your arrow will reach it's apex at about 1/2 the distance to your point on. By manipulating your point on through speed, arrow length etc., you can get your apex of trajectory to occur at the range that is most useful to you. Before, at and after apex of trajectory, the arrow will cover a certain distance without any significant deviation in elevation. You need to get that apex where it helps you the most. Assuming that you can manage your windage, you can create a pretty broad range where you arrow will hit the 10 ring.

Hey every one. Thanks for trying to help, I really appreciate it. The 3D scores don't bother me, bowhunter league is more of a social event for me, time to BS with my friends and try to help my adult son shoot better, so yeah it's like John [JustSomeDude] said, the focus just isn't there.

It's when I'm alone in my own private shooting range [it's actually my feed and seed warehouse with pretty good lighting]. This is where I shoot the NFAA 300 rounds. I don't really know how to explain what I'm trying to get at. It's kinda like what Shane Falco said about quicksand, the harder you try the deeper you sink.

David A. I'm not real sure how you being a good golfer can help me out, but I'll reread your post. Maybe you're right, and I've gotten as good as I'm going to get, but I do feel I know what the heck I'm doing with archery.

Anyway, I was just hoping someone had a silver bullet that would light that bulb in my head and get me shooting in the 280's or better. Thanks again. Barry

Shoot more 5's. easy :)

Sometimes a "higher level" of whatever can only be reached by absolutely quitting for a while...quitting... restarting later, if you want, as a beginner. I can't confirm that with archery but I can confirm it about lots of other life activities. I think Jesus made the same point.

Most references to this on LW miss the point.

https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Mind-Beginners-Shunryu- Suzuki/dp/1590308492

Aim small miss small. Dont be happy until you hit the x ring every time.

You might try charting each shot during a 300 round and see when or if your missed shots come at a particular time during the round.If it is more toward the end of the round it might be a conditioning problem, more toward the front it might be a focus issue.At any rate you are shooting real well and those extra points may be hard to get to. At that level it will be small advances for sure.

Time to grab a quiver full of stump arrows and go out and shoot at things not targets! ,,,act like the ten year old that got hooked on archery in the first place! ,,,,it will recharge you,,,,,heck we all know the best loved posts here are of roving and stumping!! The ones with plenty of pictures too! Jeffw

I hunt and stump shoot with the Dog and thats top level for me occasional3-D

so much fun that I can hardly stand it

I do what Darryl suggested using the Target Tracker app on my phone. Im still developing my shot/fundamentals. But i can quickly see that the 8th (or 7th) end is my lowest score. And most of my bad hits are to the right (pluck) or low (short draw).

I also see that i average 10 'bad shots' in a round. So if i can get through the late- mid round slump and clean up my throw aways, I'll be in good shape.

Your pattern will likely be more subtle but there probably is one

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