In this very special episode, I am delighted to welcome back Kristina Dolgilevica as a gest to the podcast.
Those of you who have been listening to the podcast for a few years might remember Kristina’s first guest slot back in episode 80. Then she had only just taken on the role of Editor for Bow International magazine. Now a couple of years on we discuss how the role has developed as Bow International celebrates its 30th year in publication, a huge milestone for any magazine.
Throughout the episode we discuss various coaching topics, focusing on the concept of Developments having no limits. thought the main focus of the discussion surrounds the World Traditional Archery Federation and the formation of the UK Traditional Archers’ International Association (UK-TAIA), contact detail of which are below.
We chat about her hopes and aspirations for UK-TAIA in promoting not just competition but also the cultural heritages of the differing forms of traditional archery across the globe. The goal being to promote the association and the potential it has for highlighting the potential for engagement across countries and continents.
If you have any interest in traditional check out the website and reach out to Kristina
UK-TAIA – UK Traditional Archers’ International Association
Sadly we did encounter some technical issues when recording this episode due to a power cut part way through and subsequent Wi-Fi issues, but we got there in the end. I have to say a huge thanks to Kristina for her patience.
As always the podcast is available on Spotify and Amazon music.
As always thanks for listening. I hope you all have a great Christmas and New Year.
The is no doubt that the last few weeks have been very exhausting, with my Mams funeral in Wales, helping at a weekend long scout camp, half term with associated childcare and more. To finish it all off with an ambulance journey to the local hospital accident and emergency department. Why? Well, it was thanks to knocking myself out at the archery wood, when I fell and hit my head on the car park tarmac (asphalt). So in all it’s been very tiring. Anyway, back to the topic of this post.
Before I dive into the main context of this article, I’d like to mention I have recorded a video and uploaded it on YouTube giving a review and my thoughts on the SRT wild boar target. Feel free to check it out. I’m hoping to do more reviews of this kind so if you find them useful let me know.
Onto the main focus of this episode of the podcast and this is a question which could be at best a hugely contentious issue or at worse a downright explosive one.
Here are links to Amazon music and Spotify versions of the podcast can be played below.
Is it time to license bow ownership in the UK?
I explore this question, offering my thoughts on the matter and consider what possible alternatives are available. So you might wonder why I am posing this question.
Well at my Mams funeral I got talking to my cousin who is a police officer and the subject of knife crime and licensing of bows come up in the conversation. This got me thinking and hence this episode.
I try to approach the topic from a pragmatic view point of what is practical or realistic. If you listen to the various media reports you could believe that all bow ownership whether longbow, compound or crossbow is in some ways unnecessary and they should be licensed as firearms are in the UK.
I don’t think licensing is an option, as those who wish to use a bow for nefarious reasons aren’t likely to register ownership. I do think there are some practical steps that could be taken such as limiting the sale of bows to archery shops or recognised sport shops, where people can be given advice on what is suitable. I go into more details in the podcast.
In an ideal world there would not have to be any thought of restrictions but we don’t live in a perfect world and there are people who will use bows inappropriately. Sadly this is likely to always happen. There is one other factor to consider and that are the current media stories and style of reporting, which can be quite sensationalist in some cases and in turn can greatly influence government policy and the general publics view.
Let me know what your thoughts are on the subject. Thanks for reading.
In this episode (episode 130) of the podcast, I do my best to answer a question from a follower. The question is about how you go about tracking your progress and monitoring your improvement in archery over time.
I break the process down into tracking progress when shooting at your home club grounds and when you venture out onto competitions. It’s a tactic I have used for several years and the process works well.
I’m not going to be giving advice on how you improve your archery in this episode, it’s solely about tracking your progress.
Home club
The difficulty with shooting the same course is you don’t always focus in the same way, you can become a little complacent resulting in a lack of focus in the same way. I’ve used this phrase in the past ” You learn to shoot the coach and targets, you don’t learn to read the shot.”
In NFAS the goal is to shoot as few arrows as possible when at a competition, as your first arrow will score the highest being 24 pts / 20 pts / 16 pts. If you take a second arrow this will score 14 pts / 10 pts, with a third arrow scoring 8 pts or 4 pts. Remember in the most commonly used course round in NFAS, the Big game round you only get to shoot a max of 3 arrows. If you miss with the third and final arrow you blank the target i.e. score 0 points.
There are other rounds but the Big Game round is by far the most commonly used.
The first thing you will be wanting to track are the number of blanks you have when you are shooting. Chances are when you are starting out you will be getting quite a few of these. As I explained earlier a blank is when you shoot all 3 arrows but fail to score. You obviously want to try to reduce the number of blanks and over time as your skill improves you will, replacing them with a successful hit.
The next this you will want to track are the number of 3rd arrows which are scoring. Note down what you scored, was it a 4 or an 8. Ideally an 8 means you have learnt from the 2 previous misses, compensated and produced a good shot.
You also want to track the number of 2nd arrows and what you scored, was it a 10 pts or 14pts . A 14 normally means you have been able to correct you mistake or misjudgement, nailing it the second time.
The final step is to track the number of 1st arrows and what you scored, was it a 16, 20 or a 24. You goal is to increase the number of first shots that hit.
Over time you will see your arrow count reduce and scores gradually improve, but it may take time. So please be patient with yourself and kind to yourself. Its also worth noting any other variables, like different arrows, or if the weather such as strong winds or rain impacted your shooting.
At open competition
When you start going out to competitions you still want to continue to track your blanks, 1st, 2nd and 3rd arrows as a point of reference as this can indicate how things are progressing over time.
The other method of tracking progress is to identify a base line as a comparison. The thing to remember is that NFAS courses can vary greatly, this means no 36 or 40 target course can be identical to another. Even if you shoot the same clubs course on multiple occasions chances are there will be differences, whether that be 3d targets used, peg positions or even the weather.
Therefore, it’s a good tactic to identify someone act as a baseline. Ideally the person chosen should be someone who shoots consistently. Not like me who have good or bad days. If you can track their scores and compare it to yours you will be able to judge how challenging the course would have been.
Lets say the you scored 400 and your baseline person Mr Smith scored 600, a difference of 200. Next time you shoot you get 350 and Mr Smith gets 550, still a difference of 200 you know it was probably a more challenging course.
Then on the following course you score 500 and Mr Smith scored 600, you know you’ve probably improved.
My Archery Experiences 