| Shape Holding |
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An exercise for improving your ability to focus on body feel and
position, relative to the outside world. Based (like the
Number Game) on a UK national coaching foundation session.
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You need a blank piece of paper (bigger than your hand) and a pencil
for this game.
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Touch the paper will
all your fingertips and thumb of your non-writing hand. Move
them around a bit until the shape is distinctly awkward. |
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With the pencil, draw
round each finger sufficiently to be able to see where the fingers
were. |
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Holding your non-writing
fingers in the same shape, take them off the paper, and hold
up the hand. |
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Close your eyes and
hold that shape for 15 seconds |
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Without opening your
eyes, put your fingers back on the paper. |
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Open your eyes and check
how you did. |
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Variations on the exercise can include anything from toes to your
whole body, if you can find a way of checking the position. Here are
a couple of thoughts for an archer to try: |
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Stand on the shooting
line as for shooting, with a target out in front but no bow
(also works in your room with a spot on the wall, of course).
Adopt your normal full draw position, with your bow hand lined
up with the target. Shut your eyes and swing your upper body
off line. Move your feet if you like, but it's not necessary.
After 15 seconds, swing back without opening your eyes; when
settled, check how you did. |
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Use your bow hand position
on the bow. Rest long rod on the ground, settle hand on bow
(holding string with the other hand). Remove bow hand, wait,
and replace without changing finger and wrist positions. |
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A really tricky one, but very relevant for 'body aiming':
Up to full draw, aim; close eyes; come down. Move upper body
left and for 5-10 secs each way, then back up to full draw
with eyes still closed. Open eyes to find out where you were
aiming.
Probably best to do this one without an arrow on the bow...
;o)
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