3D archery preparation

by John Dudley
3D archery preparation
It’s nice to finally see 3D archery
becoming popular in certain parts of
Europe. It is growing quickly in
certain areas and I have noticed that
the UK is one of the countries on
this list. 3D is the biggest part of the
competitive archery in the U.S. and
has been for well over two decades.
3D is also responsible for getting
me hooked into competitive archery
and was the beginning to
introduction to shooting in a club.
I remember making self made
animals targets with my father for
shoots that we had at our archery
club almost twenty years ago. The
targets then were fairly primitive
being only 2 dimensional and
constructed from insulation foam
and shaped by hand. Our club had a
2D animal target shoot every year to
prepare for hunting season. Back
then a shooter would be happy just
to hit most targets let alone score
inside the scoring ring. We didn’t
have range finders then and the
scoring ring was very big, still
scores were low and top level
archers were limited. It was only 10
years later that there were 3D
targets that were lifelike and had
molded scoring rings. The sport has
really increased in popularity and in
the level of archers. It was a very
fun game to play and the bottom
line was the more people practiced
the better they were getting. There
were local clubs holding
tournaments every weekend. Soon
after, a professional division started
and several professional
tournament tours began and people
could shoot for thousands of dollars
in prize money.
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“
h t ith us”
“come
shoot
with us”
I remember going to my first major
tournament in 1995 and the number of
competitors was over 1200 people. I turned
pro at the end of 1997 and shot in well over
90 Professional events before changing
over to Fita in 2004. When I started in my
first major 3D event I remember I scored
360 out of a possible 400. This tournament
had IBO scoring of 10, 8, 5 or miss. I was
very disappointed with how I scored.
However, it was only two years later that I
had moved my scores into the 390’s after
learning from the many mistakes I made
from arrow to arrow. My results in the
tournaments were a direct reflection of my
preparation on the practice range. What I
would like to do is tell you exactly how I
would train to properly prepare for 3D
Archery tournament because it is very
different from how I prepare now for target
events.
them were at their prime as archers they
had no chance against the 3D
professionals. I shot with Terry at one
tournament and I remember seeing how
frustrated he was at having to guess the
distance and then aim at a target with no
aiming spot on it. So unlike target
preparation you need to put as much
emphasis on range estimation as shooting.
In this way it is much like preparing for the
unmarked field competition. You need to
practice range estimation just as much as
shooting the arrows. Most of the top field
archers in the world seldom practice on
marked field ranges. They prefer to always
shoot unmarked so that the range
estimation won’t cost them lost points.
Because of this need to be well tuned to
unmarked estimations we will need to
divide your training time for both shooting
arrows and judging targets.
3D Shooting Practice:
The focus for target training is shooting
arrows and then shooting more arrows and
finally shooting even more arrows! That
was a hard transition for me because when
I trained for 3D I never shot high volumes of
arrows like in target. The reason being that
the focus for 3D should be not only
shooting the arrow but also range
estimation to the target. In 3D I learned that
the best archers in the world couldn’t
compete in 3D if they weren’t used to
accurately estimating distances. A perfect
example of this is when Terry and Michelle
Ragsdale tried shooting professional 3D
during my rookie year. Although both of
I personally think it is best to practice your
shooting on a burlap target cover or a black
IFAA field target. The reason I prefer these
colors is because 3D targets are usually
brown, tan or black and training the eye to
aim on these dark colors is important. I
never found it productive to practice on
yellow, red and blue when I wouldn’t see
those colors on a 3D range. Because you
will be practicing on different colored
targets you may also find that you need to
change the color of your usual aiming dot
in your scope. For example I normally shoot
a black and white dot for target shooting. A
black dot doesn’t work at all on a 3D range!
Trust me… You may find a florescent dot or
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Spring 2010
The
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3D archery preperation
The rangefinder is a must
a fiber optic aiming dot will be better. Terry
Ragsdale discovered this the hard way. In
poor lighting situations he had trouble
seeing his aiming dot and again he had
troubles shooting on a 3D target when
there wasn’t a bright arrow sitting in the
center of the scoring ring for him to aim at.
For my shooting practice I usually start my
practice on the target bales to get warmed
up and make sure my sight marks were
good, as well as, my form. Since most of
the 3D target ranges have a maximum
distance of 50 meters I don’t usually
practice beyond that distance. First, I shoot
2 groups of 6 arrows starting at 20 meters
and move back in 10 meters increments
until I get to 50 meters. After I have warmed
up with those 48 arrows I like to go to leave
1 arrow in the target and shoot at the arrow
that I left in the target. This teaches your
mind to not be aiming at a dot, but to aim at
an arrow in a desired location. As you may
or may not know, for 3D shooting, your
aiming point can be limited depending on
lighting, distance, scope magnification,
ECT… Most of the time, your reference will
be another archers arrow that is hopefully
in the location you need to shoot for. With
this in mind it is important for you to learn
to find small, precise objects or crease on
the 3D target to shoot at. A cost effective tip
is to take an old arrow that is broken
already and cut it off about 12 inches long
and fletch it with bright fletching and a
bright nock. Keep this little arrow in your
quiver and shove it in the target you are
practicing on. Get in the habit of aiming at
the arrow instead of at a spot.
I usually don’t shoot more than two arrows
before pulling them from the target. Again
the emphasis of this is to train your mind in
what it will see during a tournament. You
will do a lot more walking and a lot less
shooting when training for 3D as compared
to target that is for sure. Keep in mind you
will only shoot about 40 arrows in a day for
3D tournaments and usually will only shoot
1 arrow at each target. In a professional
event we only shot 20 arrows per day! After
I have shot at each distance with groups
and shot some arrows at other arrows in
the target I like to practice shooting 1 arrow
at a time. This is done the easiest with a
burlap target that will have a hole in it after
removing your arrow. I like to pull an arrow
and then go to my desired distance and
aim at the black hole in the bag and try to
put my arrow in the hole. If you don’t like
shooting only 1 arrow before walking again
then you can make several small dots and
shoot at each mark with only 2 arrows
each. If you do not have a burlap bag target
then I would recommend making a small
dot with a marker and shooting at that.
Many times if you shoot first in a
tournament you will only see the arrow
holes from the group that had just shot in
front of you. This is why it is so important to
learn to shoot without having a big yellow
dot to aim at. I learned from taking notes on
my tournaments that I missed points many
times when I shot first. I decided that I need
to train my eye better for aiming at nothing
and this is when I made my first
investments in my own 3D targets. Since
the focus is going to be shooting foam
animal targets then I would strongly
Small arrow for 3D practice
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The
recommend finding a practice range or
club that has some 3D targets or purchase
one or two for you to own. In addition to
needing the 3D target to learn to shoot
better on there is also the importance of
learning to estimate the distance of that
target.
Range Estimation
Accurately estimating an exact and precise
distance is not easy to perfect. Let me
make it really clear that it is nothing like Fita
field where you can learn an easy ranging
system using your scope. The targets are
different sizes and at different angles, so a
gapping system will be proven ineffective
and a waste of time. I have been asked time
and time again what is my system for range
estimation and my response is always the
same. “I HAVE NO SYSTEM!” What I do
have is practice and preparation that really
improves how I perform at each event. I
remember when Terry asked me what I
used for judging distance and I told him I
don’t use anything but my eyes. He was so
mad about my response. He acted like I
was lying to him, and to this day I promise
you Terry there is no easy way out of
judging 3D targets! If so I don’t know about
it, sorry man….
There are two ways that I have found
effective for ranging and they are using the
ground and using the target. Ground
ranging is done in several different ways.
Some people naturally are better at this for
some reason. I was very accurate this way
in my earlier years because of my
background in playing American football
and constantly seeing how far I needed to
move the ball on the pitch to get a first
down. Many, many times I could easily see
10 yards in my mind whenever I looked at
the ground towards the 3D target. I could
almost envision the lines in 10 meter
increments. To learn this way I would
encourage you to mark and look at 10
meter increments during practice. Put a 3D
target at 50 meters and place a marker in
the ground every 10 meters to the target.
When practicing on this target always refer
to the ground first and look at the marker at
each 10 meter distance. Measure each
marker in your mind before shooting your
arrows. EVERY ARROW! This is to help
burn into your mind what 10 meters looks
like. It doesn’t really matter what distance
you are shooting at, but what does matter
is that you know what 10 meters looks like.
If the target is set at 40 meters then you
should mentally be seeing 10, 20, 30 and
40 meters in your mind and then starting
your shout process. Do this for several
weeks and don’t be afraid to change the
kind of 3D target and also change the
location where you have the markers in the
ground.
Change is good because it prevents you
from being lazy and just going through the
motions. Moving things around and
keeping it fresh is part of taking the proper
steps to learn how to use the ground. Also
practice referring to the 10 meter markers
from the target back towards yourself. In
other words instead of estimating distance
from you to the target, estimate the
distance from the target to yourself. Have
some variety in your estimation but keep it
to 10 meters increments for several weeks if
not months. Once you are very comfortable
with your understanding of this technique
and your mind is consuming it, then it is
time to move off the practicing at exactly 10
meters increments. This will help to perfect
your estimating to exact meters. The 3D
range won’t be nice enough to set every
target in 10 meters distances. You will need
to move your 3D target away from the last
marker so that you are looking at the target
2, 4, 6 or 8 meters beyond your last 10
meter flag. This way you can still see the
10, 20, 30, 40 meter flags but then have to
take your best guess at how many more
meters you need to ad beyond that last 10
meter increment. I would Practice this way
the same as you had previously and
eventually all distances will appear in your
mind as 10, 20, 5 =25 meters or 10, 20, 30,
6= 36 meters and so on. This may seem
boring at the time but these are key
fundamentals that you must have to be a
great 3D shooter. Many people don’t have
these beginning fundamentals and they
tend to struggle with it and get frustrated,
but it is a great foundation that will certainly
pay off. Using the ground is definitely the
easiest to learn and will get you well on
your way to getting better at 3D archery.
Fine tuning your ranging ability
When I got really good at practicing on my
marked range I would then take my target
to an area where there were no markers on
the ground. Many times I would not take
my bow, but only take my target and my
Nikon Laser Rangefinder. A great practice
technique is to place the target in the center
of a field or in the center of some woods.
Then walk to a random position and take
your best guess at the distance to the
target. Take careful time to be as accurate
as you can. Then once you know your
number, use your rangefinder to confirm
the true distance. Then walk in a different
direction and take another guess to the
target and again confirm the true distance
with the rangefinder. I would continue to
reposition myself in a 360 degree radius
around the 3D target randomly judging the
distances from different positions.
Realistically you can position a 3D target in
a location and make nearly 20 different
estimations. Then move the target into a
new location and repeat the process.
Ultimately you can practice range
estimation as much as shooting.
If you take a guess and are totally off in
estimation then I find it helpful to also use
your rangefinder to help you locate the true
10 yards increments to the target. For
example if I ranged a target at 40 and it was
really 46 then I would do my best to find
what I thought was a 40 meter reference
point. Then I would use the rangefinder to
get that distance. Perhaps there was a large
tree in front of the target was actually 35
and not 40 thus what caused the error. I
would then again look to the ground to
double check my 10, 20, 30 meter
estimations and confirm to my brain what
was correct. Always double check yourself
and correct your errors. My Nikon
Rangefinder was more important to my
success on the 3D circuit than any other
piece of equipment I had! That is hard to
believe, but it is so true.
3D archery preperation
Bringing everything together
Once you are becoming effective at
shooting at another arrow and judging the
distances then you need to put the two
together. This is where the majority of my
time was spent practicing when I was at my
best at 3D archery. I would move my 3D
target into an unfamiliar area and walk to a
random position. Then I would estimate the
distance and then confirm the distance with
a rangefinder. If I was very off on estimation
I would try to find where my error was.
Always I would confirm the true distance
before shooting at the target. Then I would
set my sight and shoot two arrows. The first
arrow is to obviously train you to shoot at a
blank target. You will need to learn to look
at the target with your binoculars and find
the scoring ring and then try to find a
reference to aim at to hit that ring. After the
first arrow was shot I would then estimate
the distance again using the ground.
Although I already knew the distance I
would take the opportunity to confirm this
once again in my mind. Then I would use
my binoculars and find the scoring rings.
Hopefully your first arrow is in a perfect
position to aim at it. However, if it didn’t hit
the ideal spot then you will need to think
about where you need to aim off of that
arrow to put the second arrow in the right
place. Then go through your shot routine
and shoot the second arrow.
By doing this process you have affectively
practiced unmarked estimation, confirmed
or corrected your estimation, made a shot
at a blank target, recognized the location of
a scoring area on that target, estimated the
range again and then made a perfect follow
up shot. This method enforces several
positive aspects to help you improve.
Please note that I rarely would use my
practice time to shoot at targets without
confirming my estimation with my
rangefinder. The reason of this is to make
sure I only imprint positive results from
shooting at the target. If you always know
the distance you can accurately see how
well you are actually shooting. You won’t
feel very good about yourself if you shoot
high and low of the scoring ring all day
because your ranging was off. It is much
more beneficial for you to believe that you
can score great on the targets as long as
you are good at estimation.
Currently I am involved with a 3D league
close to my home. Although I don’t shoot
competitively in 3D anymore I still do this
for fun. It is a great sport and for new
archers they find it less repetitive to see
different kinds of target at different kinds of
distances all every target. That is what I
enjoyed most about 3D was the variety.
Every arrow gave a different presentation
and you really have to focus on many
things to be at the top of the game. My wife
and son really enjoy 3D archery for the
same reasons. Although I owe target and
field archery for solidifying my career they
aren’t my preference for preparing. To
shoot at the same target at the same
distance hours at a time get stale. 3D is a
great challenge and a great way to ad
variety and fun to your archery experience!
Best of luck my friends!
John Dudley
www.dudleyarchery.info
Tournament
Diary
2nd May 2010 - Derbyshire Archery Club Open Tournament.
Rounds: National Venue: Kedleston Hall, Derby. SAE to Mr A
Charlesworth, 48 Derby Road, Duffield, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56
4FL or email: [email protected]
8th May 2010 - Yateley Archers 2 Way Western Venue: Frogmore
Leisure Centre, Potley Hill Road, Yateley, Hants. Details: SAE to:
Claire Lloyd, 95 Newport Road, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4PW.
Tel: 01252 332833 E Mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.yateleyarchers.org.uk
20th June 2010 - Derbyshire Archery Club Open Longbow
Tournament. Round Windsor Venue: Kedleston Hall, Derby. SAE to
Mr J Cowley, 4 The Green, Allestree, Derby, DE22 2RH,
Tel: 10332 559778
20th June 2010 - Yateley Archers 7th Open Shoot Rounds Windsor
& Junior/Short Windsor. Venue: Frogmore Leisure Centre, Potley Hill
Road, Yateley, Hants. Details: SAE to: Claire Lloyd, 95 Newport
Road, Aldershot, Hants, GU12 4PW
Tel: 01252 332833 E Mail: [email protected]
Web site www.yateleyarchers.org.uk
25th July 2010 - Derbyshire Archery Club Open Windsor
Tournament. Round Windsor Venue: Kedleston Hall, Derby. SAE to
Mr I Short, 74 Shakespeare Street, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 9HE.
Tel: 01332 607290 or email: [email protected]
25th July 2010 - Jolly Archers 48th Anniversary Western. Round:
Western. Venue: Jubilee Park, Huntingdon, Cambs. Details: SAE to
John Gorman, 54 High Street, Aldreth, Ely, Cambs CB6 3PG Tel:
01353 740149 Email: [email protected]
8th August 2010 – CMO Bowmen 44th Annual Open Tournament.
York/Hereford UK Record Status with Rose Award. Venue: Cumnor
House Sports Ground (formerly CMO Sport Ground) 93 Pampisford
Road, Purley, Surrey CR2 6DH. SAE for entry form to Mrs Gerry
Drew, 21 Norman Avenue, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 0QH.
Tel: 020 8660 5090 www.emobowmen.org.uk
21st August 2010 – County of Surrey Archery Association Clout
Championships and Open Shoot with Tassel Award. Round: Double
One Way Clout, Venue: Warlingham Archery Club, Surrey. Numbers
strictly limited. Details: SAE to Ms A Beddard, 8 Eldon Road,
Caterham, Surrey CR3 5JR.
Tel: 01883 348672 or email [email protected]
19th September 2010 – Thanet Archery Club & Kent County
Championships Clout Shoot. Round: Double Two Way Clout with
Tassel Award, Venue: St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11
7AF. Details: Bob Gawler.
Tel: 01227 263419 or email [email protected]