[Ansteorra-archery] Fwd: Re: [SCA-Archery] Clearing the mind: was Olympic Trials (caution long)

[Harry Bilings]

Some things for thouse of use that have problems with clearing our "minds"
when shoting.
plachoya

Thank you for the compliment.  I have no problem with your cross posting
my message (I did put it out for public consideration), however, I would
like to mention that Evian has published (or will be soon) it as an
article in Bodkin and Bolt and I would like you to consider posting an
edited version with a reference to the published version.  It's only fair
to support our on-line publishers first.  I would like to receive a copy
of any emitted post and any replies it generates to evaluate new ideas.
In service to the dream,Carolus von Eulenhorsteulenhorst at juno.com

>From: eulenhorst at juno.com
>Reply-To: SCA-Archery at yahoogroups.com
>To: SCA-Archery at yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [SCA-Archery] Clearing the mind:  was Olympic Trials (caution
>long)
>Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001 21:53:05 -0800
>
>Thank you for your take on this, Nest.  It gives me a great opening and a
>caution.  First, the caution.  Never, ever say "Oops, lousy shot".  The
>act of saying it, even mentally, is like shooting it again.  Totally
>ignore the bad shots, compliment yourself on the perfect shots.  That
>shot you lined up and saw hit dead center in the target seemingly without
>effort is the one to remember.  Archery is 90% a mental game.  An
>excellent resource is "Zen and the Art of Archery" by Eugen Herrigel.  If
>everything is working right, the archer and his equipment become one.
>The draw of the bow is a fluid movement, the release simply a natural
>extension of the movement, and the archer soars with his arrow to the
>target.  I like to call it the existential art of archery.
>
>"Wiping your mind clear" is a goal which must be achieved by each archer
>in his or her own way.  I'll go over my process as an example.  Each
>archer will have to find what works for them.
>
>I begin several days before competition by going over all my equipment.
>Go over each arrow, clean it, polish it, check and repair or refurbish
>the fletching, check each nock to make sure they are identical.
>Disassemble my bow, clean and polish each part, make sure anything
>mechanical is clean and lubricated (note: this really doesn't apply to my
>SCA gear as sights, cushion plungers, and the like are removed), Make
>sure my string is in good shape and my backup strings are shot in and
>conditioned.  Reassemble the bow and test shoot it.  When everything is
>ready I pack it for carrying to the event.  At the event I set it all
>back up, retest it at the practice range, and leave it set up until the
>event ends (even if it goes on several days).  This obviously isn't
>possible with a wood bow because of string following but I will stay as
>close to this as possible.  After returning to the line after each break
>(lunch, end of the day's shooting, whatever) I recheck brace height,
>tiller, all fittings, and generally go over my equipment.  With this
>done, I don't have to think about my tackle while I'm on the line.
>
>On the line I take time to find my perfect position and mark it with
>talc, chalk, or any other appropriate method.  Before drawing an arrow I
>check my quiver and make sure my arrows are ready and loose.  I check to
>be sure my bow is comfortable and my grip balanced.  I close my eyes and
>go over all my gear, including my shirt, shoes, and whether my underwear
>is comfortable.  If not, I return to the preparation area and make the
>required adjustments.  I make sure I am aware of everything about myself
>before reaching for that first arrow.  I then follow a ritual which I
>have internalized though hundreds of hours of practice.  With my eyes
>still closed I check my balance, make sure I am centered and steady.  I
>reach for the arrow, nock it, and position it on the rest.  I then take a
>moment and visualize the perfect shot; sight picture, draw, anchor,
>release, follow-through, perfect hit on the pinhole.  I raise the bow and
>take my initial position to the target.  I then open my eyes.  If
>everything is right the tip of the arrow should be over the gold and the
>view I see should match what I pictured as my starting point.  If I'm too
>far off I start over.  With both eyes open, I concentrate on the sight
>picture as I draw to my anchor.  The sight picture includes the target,
>the tip of the arrow, the edge of the bow, any sights or sight marks, and
>the bowstring.  Focus should be on the target and other elements may be
>blurred but you'll know what looks right with practice.  I check my
>breathing to be sure I started with a full breath and let half of it out
>while drawing, that my teeth are closed, that my anchor point is right.
>Hesitate for a moment at anchor, finish drawing through the anchor,
>release, and follow through.  Check the position of all parts of your
>body and tackle when you hear the arrow hit (yes, you can even hear a hit
>at 90 metres).  Let down and count to 10, slowly.  Now the shot is
>finished.  Then I check the position of the arrow in the target - I don't
>try to follow its flight, I'll only mess it up.
>
>I begin the next shot by closing my eyes, counting slowly to 20 and
>resume with checking my balance.  If I have to let down early because
>something isn't right, I still start over with the count.  This builds a
>pattern and almost results in a trance state while I am shooting.  Be
>careful though, this is why marshals are necessary.  There on people on
>this list who can confirm this, they were there.  I was getting a sight
>setting for 70 metres in college when a jogger cut across the range
>between me and the target.  My concentration was such that I heard the
>people yelling at me and the jogger.  I completely blanked on it and the
>jogger ignored it.  My shot passed within a foot or so behind the jogger
>at ear level.  Now, I am aware of the cry of "hold" and it penetrates my
>consciousness but nonstandard noise is still blocked.  This is why
>mundane ranges use whistle signals for emergencies, they are short and
>distinct and make it through to the archer.
>
>If something starts to go wrong with my shooting I simply close my eyes,
>concentrate on the darkness, then bring up the perfect shot sequence.  At
>the end my mind is blank to everything except the shot before me.  This
>is what I was trying to get to.  Hope this helps someone out there and I
>didn't bore too many people.
>
>In service to the dream,
>Carolus von Eulenhorst
>eulenhorst at juno.com
>

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