I suppose anyone who has read an archery book would be able to articulate what a shot sequence is. In fact, as we shoot, we all adopt a sequence of actions. What makes a shot sequence meaningful?

1) Are you able to define your sequence?

In teaching juniors, we take apart the shot and build it from the ground up, starting with stance. As shooters develop, we add building blocks to the shot and when we get to the end of the shot, we approach the target and evaluate the end. Between stance and shot evaluation there should be a series of actions each archer takes. What is your sequence?

2) Are you able to repeat the sequence?

It is imperative to good shooting that each step be done the same way each time. Simple to say, but tough to execute. I see this quite regularly in our JOAD classes. Something as elemental and important as the stance often gets changed every shot!! How is a shooter supposed to hit the middle? The short answer is, not frequently. And it is not just the physical positions. There should be a mental sequence which is repeated as well. The last shot is over. What needs to be done to prepare for the next shot???

3) Are you able to understand if the sequence has changed?

We often slowly creep into positions that are not part of our sequence. These niggling little things may mean nothing in the short run, but slowly they will begin to affect our consistency. All of a sudden, or so it seems all of a sudden, we are not shooting at our standard. Then the very hard work of breaking down your shot has to start anew. Things like taking video of yourself when shooting well will now pay handsomely, as we compare what our shot currently looks like to what it was when we were ‘on our game’.

 

Those archers with excellent fundamentals, who understand what their sequence is, have shallower troughs when things go awry. Oh yeah, just because you are good fundamentally does not mean your performance will stay at an elevated level. That is just part of being a participant in any sport.

 

As an afterthought, but no less important, I want to add that there is a position sequence, a mental sequence and muscle usage/motion sequence. So, can you hit your physical positions, with the correct muscle use and the correct mindset?