I made a PVC bow that's almost double the weight of my traditional bow NOT to shoot but to just build strength and practice form. It cost me less than $10 and feels like a more acurate analog than most of the bow strength training available from the online stores.
@Jabez07 how do you increase the weight in a PVC bow? I don't know my max, but I'd say since 35 is easy, it must be at least 60. I would love an answer if you don't mind?
@@D.J.60 I've got different sized fiberglass rods that fill the core of the PVC bow. You can also have multiple pipes inside one another. Like 3/4 inch pipe in a 1 inch pipe. That gets a bit trickier to make sure there is still enough flex to bend the pipe and not crack it, but also the pipes have to be snug together so they don't slap when you release.
Getting my first recurve bow today, never really had interest in archery until I started getting into survival type training and the recurve bow seems to be the best option due to the simplicity of the actual bow itself. Been watching video after video of yours and you have brought up multiple topics I never thought about having absolutely no experience shooting. Your videos have allowed me to form a plan on how to learn how to shoot when before I was clueless. Much appreciated
I so jealous of your shoulder anatomy. I’m 43, so I’m a bit older, but not too long ago I had to totally change my drawing form change from “pulling the string” to “Pushing the bow”.. my AC joints just didn’t like string pull anymore. I love these drills. I’m probably going to be revisiting this one a good bit.
You’re successful because you produce the absolute best instructional videos period. You address real issues and questions we all struggle with. You leave no wasted space in the presentation, and your videos are entertaining. Oh yea, perhaps most importantly, I don’t have to cover up my grandson’s ears because of some mindless vulgarity. Please continue!
Something much less common and odd but has IMMENSELY improved my Archery skills (especially under pressure) is joining a LARP group. In Dagorhir, it’s a full-speed, full-contact “sport” where people don weighted foam weapons/shields (they can still hurt when swung) and fight or do objectives like Capture the flag, etc.. The amount of pressure to perform as an archer is crazy vs. target shooting. Especially if people are coming for you. Not everyone’s cup of tea (wasn’t even a thought in my brain until I said screw it and tried a few months ago) but the results are real!
Great advice for my children and myself. I’ve hunted with a recurve for some 30 years now and can’t remember ever asking if they wished to learn unfortunately. They want wish to get into archery and this’ll be a great way to do some family interaction. Central Wisconsin allows for all kinds of hunter challenges for them. Thanks for sharing your knowledge..
I love 1 shot vs 1 shot, we have lots of fun up to 4 archers calling shots from 10 to 40 yards. We do 6 arrows called shots per volley, shooting on masking tape X targets. Sometimes we start shooting the first arrow at 40y, and we change target distance. Left upper corner at 30 for second arrow, now right X on 10yard for the third, fourth one we aim at the middle X on 40. Etc , We have to follow the pace and focus quickly on a different distance and location. We switch who call the shots every round. It's so fun! We have some pretty good collective groupings =) We have a good setup, target board 4×4 all side by side at 10y 15y 20y 25y 30y 35y 40y , For that game we don't use 45y and over. All archers must be close to each other and more on the far side, otherwise its harder for the archer on the left.
I remember reading an article years ago, when people actually read articles, and the tip was, never let your first shot of the day, be at a live animal. Having said that, I try to super concentrate on that first "cold shot" of the day, and there are times for sure, that is really good advice. Another "cold shot" practice is to take a shot with a blunt in the woods immediately after the hunt ends, and ask yourself, "Would I have made a killing shot today?" I do this with a blunt tipped arrow from a tree stand before I climb down, aiming at a clump of leaves, pine cone, etc.. It makes one realize that, releasing an arrow in the woods, thru holes in the brush, beside a tree, over tall weeds, etc., is totally different than standing on a mowed lawn launching arrows at a target surrounded by NOTHING. Try it. You will see what I mean. Archers that shoot only compound bows, will give me a deer in the headlights look.
Totally agree with this. I don't hunt live animals though but shoot in 3d parcours. Nevertheless the difference between shooting on a mowed lawn and in a forest is as big as the difference between a sniper rifle and a stick.
It's interesting how you know things, but when you hear someone else explain it, it makes much more sense. One of the challenges I have as a youth archery coach, explaining to the kids the intricate aspects of shooting well...putting it to their level of understanding. Some of the things you discussed here are brilliantly explained and elementary in form and I plan to implement this into training next season.
Not only are your drills of use (as a novice archer I plan on implementing all of them in turn), but the little nuggets of trivia were also entertaining as well. A good video. Thank you!
Thanks Kramer - enjoyed that video. Agree with your approach to training and do something very similar. When teaching I start with the Blank Bale. No point in trying to shoot at a target (getting frustrated and developing bad habits) before having the basics of good form and release. Seeing the target is actually a detrimental distraction at this very early stage. The one thing that I will mention is that I feel that having a small (just big enough to see at the shooting distance) is important as an "aim point" to focus on. Shooting at a dinner plate without an aim point (mentally) says the "over there in that whole plate is good enough". My thinking is that a mouse and a moose have the same size aim point, there's just a huge difference in the size of the kill-zone. As hunting practice, my favorite target is a 2" diameter disk cut out of 2" etheafoam (with a sharpened soup can as a cutter) suspended on a string in front of the target face blowing around in the breeze. One arrow, one shot to pin the target. Cheers!
These are some very nice and helpful tricks. The blank bale works, as you said you have to do it for a longer time especially if you want to eliminate some bad form you have used for years. In Kyudo a student shoots for months only at the Makiwara until he has mastered the form. Same in chinese archery where it is the Gaozhen. A blank bale is used in nearly all forms of asiatic archery to learn technique. In Korea they use a arrow that is tied to a long rope on a hight pole, which does the same, concentrate on your form and no not worry about hitting something. In western archery it is very helpful for olympic or compound archery to practice unconscious release by pulling through the clicker or pulling through the release and not punchng or releasing when you se the scope in the gold. I like the hint with the strechband for warming up, will use that in the near future. A simple solution.
Thanks, I do this instinctively to get my confidence up and to warm up. I shoot at 10 meters till I it’s good then I move to 10 meters until I improve, then to 20 yards.
Very well done on your subscribers!! Totally worth it. I was actually wanting to find a video on drills. I’m happy to see you make one since I already am subscribed to you.
Great video. My target is a clay pigeon. Reactive, bright, and its easy to tell a hit from a miss. After a few weeks, I set hit and miss on if i bust the center with the ring remaining. That gets really hard as range moves past 20 yards. Atleast for me!
Regarding #9 the band hack: I think you're spot on, doing a heavier warmup than your actual working set is also done in Bodybuilding and/or strength training. The idea is to prime your nervous system to produce max strength, so it get's ready to do some extreme stuff and suddenly the actual weight feels much lighter!
This is a fantastic video, Kramer. You have taught us so many useful skills. Thank you. However, you missed one very important thing in this video: Cross Eye Dominance. About one-third of shooters have Cross Eye Dominance problem. You said that you also had Cross Eye Dominance problem, but you successfully overcame this problem by using the instinctive shooting method. Can you explain to us in detail how you successfully overcame the problem of Cross Eye Dominance by using instinctive shooting method? Your help will be deeply appreciated.
Thanks for the drill tips. I needed something other than just shooting at targets. I really enjoyed the "Did you know" statements. I'm now rethinking vanilla flavoring. Lol
I really enjoy your posts, where can I find your shop? Strings and bows, kits for sale etc. I am old and quite new to the internet. Thanks and keep up the great work.
Hi krammer congrats on the achievement... Been following you for a while and enjoyed every video.... Could you maybe do a video on dowl arrows please? Or even a short? Id really appreciate your thoughts on the idea but i know how much work goes into a video lol so no worries if its not possible... Stay shatterproof 😆💪
@@catalhuyuk7 😆 no worries man... As you saw it's basically a store bought stick... I shoot a 55 pound recurve and I select my shafts very carefully (8mm) and they are WAY CHEAPER but put of a bundle of 50 you get maybe 2 or 3 with acceptable grains and trueness😂 just want to see the experts view on DIY ARROWS YOU KNOW?
Would you guys think these tips all also work for thumb draw shooting? I know this might not be the best channel to look for thumb draw tips. But for instinctive shooting i think there is a lot of overlap (not gap shooting ofc)
You are one of those which made me suscribe to an archery classes and gave me idea for my first good bow ( i have a Decathlon one and it's, meh ), i love the tips you give. Little question, is the Black Hunter somewhere in the back ground or anywhere that you keep it or you don't have it anymore?
Funny to hear you say to do pushups or something like that. I used to go about 30 feet from my ladder stand, run to the stand, hurry up the ladder and then shoot. I felt as if the added stress prepared me for the stress of the shot with a deer in front of me...
It’s not psychological, it’s your central nervous system adjusting to one weight and then when you reduce that weight it makes it so much easier! People do this for squatting heavy weight.
Thanks for the video! My goal is to shoot a bow as well as I can make them - this will help! Think I’ll be hitting up Tom Sr. too - I need lots of help…
It's quite interesting to see such routine. I started out the "classic" way and it just sucks. Strict technique, equipment belongs to shoot with a sight. I shoot arrows with different mass, spine, material and length with both hands and different techniques from the same bow in a small spot. Some home made arrows are not even straight. It should theoretical impossible to hit if you think of but it works for two reasons. Firstly it makes no sense to aim with such stuff and no fix anchor, so just looking with both eyes to the spot you wonna hit and focus on it is the most critical point. Beside that getting caught with the tab or gloves to the string while loosing making up most of missing. The second reason is, that the arrow more or less flies on a line and both points are fix by bow and draw hand. Yes archers paradox etc. but high spine and more tild the bow or use thumb draw or just shooting high draw weights the spine get just less important. Will I hit a peanut mid flight on 30 yards? nope... Will I hit better with a set of matching arrows? hell yes... but will it make a huge difference? not really... What I will say is: It is not necessary to optimize the arrows from dusk till dawn and train every muscle fiber to perform on point the same motion like a machine to improve in archery. The most important is to go out and have fun as well as get the mindset, focus and basic feeling for the bow. If you train to hit little sticks in the woods, it will shock you how much easier it is to hit a small 3D target in nature then it is to hit a big 2D circle on a flat target because it is harder for the brain to find the right range to the flat target and focus on a tiny spot in a uniform area that is not really optical different. If you get into archery you get into finding yourself XD Everyone works something out that fit him or her best, that's why I love this sport so much.
Someone just gave me a 60 lb Juston king timber wolf. The glass is thinner than the laminates. Could I get it to be a 45 lb bow by sanding belly or would that be too much to sand off thanks
Practice as you play. I’ve seen people put their car behind a target to add stress. You could get your friend to stand behind it. Ha ha ha. Not my cup of tea. I like the band idea and will try it.
Oh I respectfully challenge your "sin" history. I always heard it was the word "khata" and it was a word for users of a sling. I was wrong once in 1986, am I wrong again?
@@thormidthagahast8914I’m pretty sure he was talking about the loop part of the string. He never said he invented a bow string. He made the loops with Flemish twist so it will last longer. What other companies do you know that make it like his? 🤦🏻♂️
@@Terpedup925 it needs to be a COMPANY made product? How bout great grandpa's old english yew bow, with a served flemish twist string, he himself made......80 plus years ago? Does that count? And great grandpa wasn't the first to do this either.
I made a PVC bow that's almost double the weight of my traditional bow NOT to shoot but to just build strength and practice form. It cost me less than $10 and feels like a more acurate analog than most of the bow strength training available from the online stores.
So you made a 40lb pvc bow
@Jabez07 how do you increase the weight in a PVC bow? I don't know my max, but I'd say since 35 is easy, it must be at least 60. I would love an answer if you don't mind?
@@D.J.60 I've got different sized fiberglass rods that fill the core of the PVC bow. You can also have multiple pipes inside one another. Like 3/4 inch pipe in a 1 inch pipe. That gets a bit trickier to make sure there is still enough flex to bend the pipe and not crack it, but also the pipes have to be snug together so they don't slap when you release.
@@D.J.60 if you increase the length of the fiberglass rods, you'll increase the weight of the bow
Getting my first recurve bow today, never really had interest in archery until I started getting into survival type training and the recurve bow seems to be the best option due to the simplicity of the actual bow itself. Been watching video after video of yours and you have brought up multiple topics I never thought about having absolutely no experience shooting. Your videos have allowed me to form a plan on how to learn how to shoot when before I was clueless. Much appreciated
I so jealous of your shoulder anatomy. I’m 43, so I’m a bit older, but not too long ago I had to totally change my drawing form change from “pulling the string” to “Pushing the bow”.. my AC joints just didn’t like string pull anymore. I love these drills. I’m probably going to be revisiting this one a good bit.
You’re successful because you produce the absolute best instructional videos period.
You address real issues and questions we all struggle with. You leave no wasted space in the presentation, and your videos are entertaining.
Oh yea, perhaps most importantly, I don’t have to cover up my grandson’s ears because of some mindless vulgarity.
Please continue!
Wish you would add a statement about those bands and where you got them
Couldn’t have described it better. I’ve just found Kramers channel and it is the best in the genre. Cheers.
This one is a gem. Love the elbow test for back tension
Something much less common and odd but has IMMENSELY improved my Archery skills (especially under pressure) is joining a LARP group.
In Dagorhir, it’s a full-speed, full-contact “sport” where people don weighted foam weapons/shields (they can still hurt when swung) and fight or do objectives like Capture the flag, etc..
The amount of pressure to perform as an archer is crazy vs. target shooting.
Especially if people are coming for you.
Not everyone’s cup of tea (wasn’t even a thought in my brain until I said screw it and tried a few months ago)
but the results are real!
One of the best instructional UA-camrs for traditional archery, bar none.
Michael Mc - Glad to meet you Kramer 62 yr - just started archery 6 weeks ago. I'm Addicted
Great advice for my children and myself. I’ve hunted with a recurve for some 30 years now and can’t remember ever asking if they wished to learn unfortunately. They want wish to get into archery and this’ll be a great way to do some family interaction. Central Wisconsin allows for all kinds of hunter challenges for them. Thanks for sharing your knowledge..
I love 1 shot vs 1 shot, we have lots of fun up to 4 archers calling shots from 10 to 40 yards. We do 6 arrows called shots per volley, shooting on masking tape X targets. Sometimes we start shooting the first arrow at 40y, and we change target distance. Left upper corner at 30 for second arrow, now right X on 10yard for the third, fourth one we aim at the middle X on 40. Etc , We have to follow the pace and focus quickly on a different distance and location. We switch who call the shots every round. It's so fun! We have some pretty good collective groupings =) We have a good setup, target board 4×4 all side by side at 10y 15y 20y 25y 30y 35y 40y , For that game we don't use 45y and over. All archers must be close to each other and more on the far side, otherwise its harder for the archer on the left.
Loving the enthusiasm Kramer, keep it up.
I remember reading an article years ago, when people actually read articles, and the tip was, never let your first shot of the day, be at a live animal. Having said that, I try to super concentrate on that first "cold shot" of the day, and there are times for sure, that is really good advice. Another "cold shot" practice is to take a shot with a blunt in the woods immediately after the hunt ends, and ask yourself, "Would I have made a killing shot today?" I do this with a blunt tipped arrow from a tree stand before I climb down, aiming at a clump of leaves, pine cone, etc.. It makes one realize that, releasing an arrow in the woods, thru holes in the brush, beside a tree, over tall weeds, etc., is totally different than standing on a mowed lawn launching arrows at a target surrounded by NOTHING. Try it. You will see what I mean. Archers that shoot only compound bows, will give me a deer in the headlights look.
Totally agree with this. I don't hunt live animals though but shoot in 3d parcours. Nevertheless the difference between shooting on a mowed lawn and in a forest is as big as the difference between a sniper rifle and a stick.
It's interesting how you know things, but when you hear someone else explain it, it makes much more sense. One of the challenges I have as a youth archery coach, explaining to the kids the intricate aspects of shooting well...putting it to their level of understanding. Some of the things you discussed here are brilliantly explained and elementary in form and I plan to implement this into training next season.
Not only are your drills of use (as a novice archer I plan on implementing all of them in turn), but the little nuggets of trivia were also entertaining as well. A good video. Thank you!
Great advise on drills! Thanks for your input and videos!
Thanks again! This is one video that I keep coming back to for a refresher course!
Thanks Kramer - enjoyed that video. Agree with your approach to training and do something very similar.
When teaching I start with the Blank Bale. No point in trying to shoot at a target (getting frustrated and developing bad habits) before having the basics of good form and release. Seeing the target is actually a detrimental distraction at this very early stage.
The one thing that I will mention is that I feel that having a small (just big enough to see at the shooting distance) is important as an "aim point" to focus on. Shooting at a dinner plate without an aim point (mentally) says the "over there in that whole plate is good enough". My thinking is that a mouse and a moose have the same size aim point, there's just a huge difference in the size of the kill-zone.
As hunting practice, my favorite target is a 2" diameter disk cut out of 2" etheafoam (with a sharpened soup can as a cutter) suspended on a string in front of the target face blowing around in the breeze. One arrow, one shot to pin the target.
Cheers!
These are some very nice and helpful tricks.
The blank bale works, as you said you have to do it for a longer time especially if you want to eliminate some bad form you have used for years.
In Kyudo a student shoots for months only at the Makiwara until he has mastered the form. Same in chinese archery where it is the Gaozhen.
A blank bale is used in nearly all forms of asiatic archery to learn technique. In Korea they use a arrow that is tied to a long rope on a hight pole, which does the same, concentrate on your form and no not worry about hitting something.
In western archery it is very helpful for olympic or compound archery to practice unconscious release by pulling through the clicker or pulling through the release and not punchng or releasing when you se the scope in the gold.
I like the hint with the strechband for warming up, will use that in the near future. A simple solution.
Thanks, I do this instinctively to get my confidence up and to warm up. I shoot at 10 meters till I it’s good then I move to 10 meters until I improve, then to 20 yards.
Very well done on your subscribers!!
Totally worth it.
I was actually wanting to find a video on drills. I’m happy to see you make one since I already am subscribed to you.
Fantastic video! Thanks for the ideas.
Great video. My target is a clay pigeon. Reactive, bright, and its easy to tell a hit from a miss. After a few weeks, I set hit and miss on if i bust the center with the ring remaining. That gets really hard as range moves past 20 yards. Atleast for me!
Regarding #9 the band hack: I think you're spot on, doing a heavier warmup than your actual working set is also done in Bodybuilding and/or strength training. The idea is to prime your nervous system to produce max strength, so it get's ready to do some extreme stuff and suddenly the actual weight feels much lighter!
Great video Kramer for most of us, there’s always that one!
Good advice Kramer, think it’s the one shot drill for starters 🏹
Gratitude for the lessons!
This is a fantastic video, Kramer. You have taught us so many useful skills. Thank you.
However, you missed one very important thing in this video: Cross Eye Dominance.
About one-third of shooters have Cross Eye Dominance problem.
You said that you also had Cross Eye Dominance problem, but you successfully overcame this problem by using the instinctive shooting method.
Can you explain to us in detail how you successfully overcame the problem of Cross Eye Dominance by using instinctive shooting method?
Your help will be deeply appreciated.
Thanks for the ideas dude!
Thanks man your explaning ist the best
Gold information brother god bless you ❤
Thanks for the info, where do you find the bands?
Thanks for the drill tips. I needed something other than just shooting at targets.
I really enjoyed the "Did you know" statements. I'm now rethinking vanilla flavoring. Lol
I really enjoy your posts, where can I find your shop? Strings and bows, kits for sale etc. I am old and quite new to the internet. Thanks and keep up the great work.
Hi krammer congrats on the achievement... Been following you for a while and enjoyed every video.... Could you maybe do a video on dowl arrows please? Or even a short? Id really appreciate your thoughts on the idea but i know how much work goes into a video lol so no worries if its not possible... Stay shatterproof 😆💪
I had to look up dowl arrows. Thought they were an arrow I hadn’t heard of yet.
@@catalhuyuk7 😆 no worries man... As you saw it's basically a store bought stick... I shoot a 55 pound recurve and I select my shafts very carefully (8mm) and they are WAY CHEAPER but put of a bundle of 50 you get maybe 2 or 3 with acceptable grains and trueness😂 just want to see the experts view on DIY ARROWS YOU KNOW?
Love your stuff.
15 minutes actually well spend. Some of the suggestions are interesting ... But you forgot the #0 Practice regularly
Would you guys think these tips all also work for thumb draw shooting? I know this might not be the best channel to look for thumb draw tips. But for instinctive shooting i think there is a lot of overlap (not gap shooting ofc)
You are one of those which made me suscribe to an archery classes and gave me idea for my first good bow ( i have a Decathlon one and it's, meh ), i love the tips you give. Little question, is the Black Hunter somewhere in the back ground or anywhere that you keep it or you don't have it anymore?
Have you tried the bands for glue up? I was going try wondered of you did yet.
Funny to hear you say to do pushups or something like that. I used to go about 30 feet from my ladder stand, run to the stand, hurry up the ladder and then shoot. I felt as if the added stress prepared me for the stress of the shot with a deer in front of me...
Can you make a video about how to find your perfect bow 😁. Been loving your videos
very helpful!
It’s not psychological, it’s your central nervous system adjusting to one weight and then when you reduce that weight it makes it so much easier! People do this for squatting heavy weight.
Great video.
Great video!
Thanks for the video! My goal is to shoot a bow as well as I can make them - this will help! Think I’ll be hitting up Tom Sr. too - I need lots of help…
Where do you get those bands?
Great video
It's quite interesting to see such routine. I started out the "classic" way and it just sucks. Strict technique, equipment belongs to shoot with a sight. I shoot arrows with different mass, spine, material and length with both hands and different techniques from the same bow in a small spot. Some home made arrows are not even straight. It should theoretical impossible to hit if you think of but it works for two reasons. Firstly it makes no sense to aim with such stuff and no fix anchor, so just looking with both eyes to the spot you wonna hit and focus on it is the most critical point. Beside that getting caught with the tab or gloves to the string while loosing making up most of missing. The second reason is, that the arrow more or less flies on a line and both points are fix by bow and draw hand. Yes archers paradox etc. but high spine and more tild the bow or use thumb draw or just shooting high draw weights the spine get just less important. Will I hit a peanut mid flight on 30 yards? nope... Will I hit better with a set of matching arrows? hell yes... but will it make a huge difference? not really... What I will say is: It is not necessary to optimize the arrows from dusk till dawn and train every muscle fiber to perform on point the same motion like a machine to improve in archery. The most important is to go out and have fun as well as get the mindset, focus and basic feeling for the bow. If you train to hit little sticks in the woods, it will shock you how much easier it is to hit a small 3D target in nature then it is to hit a big 2D circle on a flat target because it is harder for the brain to find the right range to the flat target and focus on a tiny spot in a uniform area that is not really optical different. If you get into archery you get into finding yourself XD Everyone works something out that fit him or her best, that's why I love this sport so much.
Where do yo get the orange band?
I mean. I actually really like the band idea. All of these were pretty good, but I'm for sure trying the band idea.
Someone just gave me a 60 lb Juston king timber wolf. The glass is thinner than the laminates. Could I get it to be a 45 lb bow by sanding belly or would that be too much to sand off thanks
Custom king
Practice as you play. I’ve seen people put their car behind a target to add stress. You could get your friend to stand behind it. Ha ha ha. Not my cup of tea.
I like the band idea and will try it.
The problem of practicing with a heavy bow and then shooting a bow half the weight is the release
Yep. Release is much more forgiving on heavier draw weights.
Just started and my shot groups are 6 feet wide at 15-20 yards. I probably shouldn't be starting at 60lbs draw weight. lol
Definitely not. I suggest a max of 20lbs and gradually work up from there.
@@JohnyG29 will do
How do I come work for you?
👍🏼 👍🏼 🙏🏼
God bless
Great advice, fellow archer, 👍 shakyjake out.
Oh I respectfully challenge your "sin" history. I always heard it was the word "khata" and it was a word for users of a sling. I was wrong once in 1986, am I wrong again?
Know nothing about archery, wanna start what to do?
Whats up with the random facts in the background
Just stop claiming to "invent" 100 year old plus techniques and or gear and equipment. Then we'll be good.
Yes
Where in the vid did he claim to invent these?
@@NicoleM04 oh not this video partner. Go back...look up "served flemish twist bow string" for example.
@@thormidthagahast8914I’m pretty sure he was talking about the loop part of the string. He never said he invented a bow string. He made the loops with Flemish twist so it will last longer. What other companies do you know that make it like his? 🤦🏻♂️
@@Terpedup925 it needs to be a COMPANY made product? How bout great grandpa's old english yew bow, with a served flemish twist string, he himself made......80 plus years ago? Does that count? And great grandpa wasn't the first to do this either.