Tag Archives: field archery

episode 106 cover
Dec 19 2024

Episode 106 – health update and a New year resolution

In this episode I recount how the start of December has floored my completely due to ill health and resulting in a trip to Accident and Emergency. I would like to offer a huge heartfelt thanks to all the staff there who looked after me. Thank you.

I talk about the damage storm Darragh has caused to the clubs archery woodland, with several trees down.

fallen tree across archery target

I would also like to give a shout out to my friend Rich at Archery Geek Outdoors, We are all wishing him for a speedy recovery. If you get chance have a listen to episode 67 with guest Maddie Hammond. ⁠

Lastly and somewhat seasonally I invite you all to consider an archery themed New Year resolution for 2025. I am not normally a big fan of New year resolutions. I have the view if you want to change something in your life then why wait to the New Year. this year though I would like to propose one for all to consider and think about for 2025.
As the new year approach can we as an archery community should think about how we can open up to other classes and styles. Lets be even more friendly, reduce the animosity sometimes seen, reduce the them verse us mentality some have, reduce the gap v instinctive, compound v trad.
Many of us don’t care and are happy to be out shooting whether others are using a longbow, recurve, crossbow, compound or whatever.
We are all archers.
So lets try and make 2025 more about the fun of archery, no matter what we shoot.

Thanks for all the support that has been offered to me over the past 12 months and may I take this opportunity to wish you all safe travels over the festive period, along with a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for the New year.

image of Christmas tree
Happy Christmas and good luck for next year

If you have any questions or queries you can drop me an email on ⁠offthearrowshelf@yahoo.co.uk ⁠or via the contact me on this website.

There is my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@offthearrowshelf if you enjoy the content please hit the Like button and consider subscribing to the channel.

Most of all remember to enjoy your shooting and as always thanks for listening, watching and supporting.

episode 104
Nov 21 2024

Episode 104 – Poll results are in

Over the last few months there has been a fair amount of talk on various NFAS Facebook groups and in clubs about what slows down an open competition down. What factors play a part, along with lots of myths and rumours.  I wanted to tackle this head one and gather some actual facts and data.

There have been general assumptions quoted by some archers as to what slows progress. These include taking excessively long tea or lunch breaks, the use of binoculars, searching for missed arrows etc.

For reference binoculars can only be used in some shooting classes in NFAS. Though there is a proposal that is has been muted and will be voted on next year to all allow all classes the option. As they say that’s another story. The vast majority are not allowed to use them. The feeling by some is that by expanding their use would result in slowing things down even more.

To gather some facts I created a simple poll on a Facebook group and invited people to vote on the options, add other options and comment if they thought elements were omitted.

The feedback has been great and I’d like to thank all those who contributed. I received 215 votes and over 50 comments. In the podcast episode I dive into the details more offering some thoughts on how the top aspects can be addressed.

Here are the results. I gave respondents the ability to add additional options as I felt this might highlight topics I had overlooked. They were also allowed to vote on more than one thing.

The core question was “What makes it a long day, and detracts from the enjoyment?”

Question optionsPercentage result
archers searching for missed arrows44%
time spent on the peg preparing to shoot, distance judging, etc19%
discussions / scoring at the target16%
group size I.e. large number in a group6%
poorly thought out shot, (multi targets predator/pray)6%
taking long tea / lunch breaks5%
people blaming other people2%
Fully subscribed shoots1%
People taking photos/videos of themselves to add to their social media1%
announcement before the shoot begins0%
navigating difficult or challenging terrain round the course0%

I’d encourage you to listen to the podcast where I unpick some of the above points, offering some ideas on what can be achieved or changed to improve the situation.

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think.

Nov 8 2024

Episode – 102 car accident, roof repairs, shot sequence guidance

The latest episode is now live to wrap your ears round and as the title says, there have been a few stressful events. the important thing is we are safe, pretty shook up but unhurt.

In the episode I spend sometime discussing shot sequence in reference to some recent coaching with a student who is continuing to recover from injury following a motorcycle accident several years ago.

We focus on identifying the element of the shock sequence, how easy it is to skip or miss parts out. As you know I have over the years spent a good deal of time offering guidance and advice on this topic and you can read this material in past posts.

Let me know if you have any questions.