We had the second of three seminars with my coach today -- about eight archers out at Ben Avery. Coach said we would start with the pyramid exercise. I won't give the full details as I believe this is one of his own exercises that he doesn't want published, but basically it is a stepped series of holds. We only did the first level, hold for 8 seconds before executing the shot. I was nervous and curious to see how I would perform, as I only recently started shooting with my heaviest limbs (34 lbs), and way back in March of 2007, when we did this exercise, I did terrible even though I was shooting with one of my lightest bows (30 lbs). After that lesson I went back to what my first coach calls "The Static Exercise" and is also one of the SPTs from the OTC.
Anyway, I needn't have worried -- I did just fine! Yay!
Then we did a timing drill. We were shooting 3 arrows at 50m. He started us out at 2 minutes, then cut the time 5sec at a time until we were down to 20sec total. It was very interesting to observe how I actually spend my time in my shot routine! Then another timing drill, this time your bow is back behind the white line, you are on the shooting line, and when he says go, you have to run back, get your bow, return to the line, and shoot one arrow. Again cutting and cutting the time. When we got down to the shortest interval, 20sec, I couldn't do it! And it's funny, once I did this reflex thing where I move my quiver further back on my belt, and I'm thinking, WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? Finally, we did a "Last One Standing" with the same timing exercise. Mackenzie won, Gary was second. But I was happy with how I did.
Coach was in his element. It totally warms my heart to see him enjoying himself so much.
One of the archers was having trouble with her clicker, and Coach suggested using a stick-on clicker. I suddenly remembered I had one in my extra-equipment bag, and I gave it to her. She insisted on paying for it (it cost like $4) and was absurdly grateful. I hope it works out for her, I absolutely hate equipment problems.
One of the students is a real hot-shot, recently moved here from Florida -- partly to train with Coach?
A fun day! It's incredibly enjoyable and motivating to train in a group.
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