Author Archives: LucyMorris

The World of Archery with Coach Jim White

TFA 001: The World of Archery with Coach Jim White – TheFlyingArcher.com  Discover Your Passion For Archery

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Jim White,  who is now a level V Certified USA Archery coach, fell in love with archery after he saw a man in a field shooting, and he was invited over to shoot his first shot and Jim hit the paper target.   That was in 1965 in North Carolina while Jim was in the Air Force.  Then in 1970 while living in North Ohio , Jim was partner with his brother-in-law in a pro shop, indoor and outdoor range.  They competed, ran classes and managed indoor league competitions. Jim started coaching in 1996 and progressed through the coaching levels to current level 5 in 2010.  Jim was President of Kennesaw Archery Club 1997-2005, and then became Vice President until about March 2015.  Jim has also been Vice President of the Georgia Archery Association since around 2005.

Jim White was Awarded Developmental Coach of the Year in 2013.

In This Episode You Will Discover:

  • Jim’s passion for archery.
  • The importance of having a coach.
  • The path to becoming an Olympic Archer.
  • The craziest weather day Jim has ever shot in.
  • That archery is a life time sport  🙂
  • The inner game of archery – Is archery 10% mental or 90% mental? Or is it all physical?   🙂
  • What kind of bow does Jim like?
  • Jim’s tip on how to stay focused on the archery range.
  • A bonus little video at the very end.

Sponsor:

New England School of Archery and Supplies llc www.nearchery.com Where we also offer the mindset of a champion coaching, to athletes as well as to the business world.  How to think like a champion at work, in life and on and off the archery field.

Our Guest’s Links:

Visit coach Jim White on his facebook page                         https://www.facebook.com/jim.white.5876

Listen To TheFlyingArcher Podcast here:

Thank you for listening and please share  :) Level 4 NTS Coach Lucy Morris; host of The Flying Archer (TFA)

PS. A bonus short little video at the very end of Jim’s podcast 🙂

Keith quivers at the sight of arrows

Keith Testa, is a reporter who interviewed me for an article in the Concord Insider, also wrote a wonderful article about his experience of the interview with me and letting go of an arrow….  Thank you Keith for your time, you are a great shot!!

To see the article on the Concord Insider, please click on the below website.

http://www.theconcordinsider.com/article/keith-quivers

KEITH QUIVERS AT THE SIGHT OF ARROWS

Insider April 24th 2012 photo by Lucy Morris of Kieth

Photo by / For the Insider

Keith gets in on the archery action.

My interview with Lucy Morris, accomplished archer and the highest-level instructor of the sport in the area, was moving along rather pleasantly last Friday when she asked me, innocuously enough, if I’d like to journey outside and shoot a few arrows.

Gulp.

The first image that raced through my mind was me, casually taking aim at the bulls-eye, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves as I pulled back the string and let one fly – and pegged whatever wildlife happened to be roaming on either side of the target.

I also considered the following: Since I began working at The Insider, I’ve taken lessons in yoga, square dancing, billiards and archery. I’m trying to find a way to somehow combine them into an Olympic sport, thereby making me the clear gold-medal favorite.

Anyway, Morris and I did, indeed, go the range, and I did, indeed, let a few fly.

And the results? Let’s just say all the living things in place when I got there are still living.

In all honesty, the results were quite good. Morris relies on a very calming teaching style, which makes the act of firing your first arrow much less nerve-wracking than it otherwise could be. Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I wasn’t standing that far from the target.

But the technique Morris taught was easy enough to grasp. My first shot nestled into the target, and so did the second. The third and fourth followed suit. In fact, while I never necessarily homed in on the bulls-eye, I also never whiffed entirely.

Morris approaches archery from something of a meditative place, and I can see why. It is indeed easy to get lost in focusing on the target and forgetting everything else around you. And with some well-explained pointers – back elbow placement, how far to pull the string back, how to comfortably release – success can be had.

Thanks in large part to Morris and her patient and encouraging approach, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. For me and all the living critters in her yard.

My Archery article in the Concord Insider

This was a fun interview that I did with Keith Testa for the Concord Insider April 24th, 2012.   Awesome Fun 🙂  Thank you Keith for your time and a great interview!!

http://www.theconcordinsider.com/article/lucy-morris-on-archery-meditation-and-katniss

ARCHER OF THE WEEK

Lucy Morris on archery, meditation and Katniss

 

Andover class April 24th picture of me
By Insider Staff / Keith Testa
April 24, 2012

 

Lucy Morris

Archery instructor, New England School of Archery and Supplies

How long have you been involved in archery? How long have you been an instructor?

I did a little when I was a kid, but really started as an adult. I took lessons with Marcia Wyman, and she asked if I’d like to teach. And I actually said, ‘No, that seems too scary.’ That was 4 ½ years ago, and I’ve been teaching almost ever since.

You say you love to teach archery as a way for people to “let the stress of life melt away.” What is it about archery that lends itself to stress relief?

Archery is a very meditative sport. People tend to get very focused on what they are doing and feel more relaxed and let go of their tension. I’ve attended presentations from neurologists, and they showed brain waves of high-level archers; when they shoot, their brain waves go into a meditative state.

Tell us more about the meditative archery you have studied.

I went to learn Kyudo (a form of Japanese archery). The range is called a dojo, and the instructor is called sensei. Archery is a martial art. With Kyudo, there’s a whole process you go through, almost like a ritual before you are in a state to shoot. I try to take that mental aspect of Kyudo and take it to western archery.

What do people use archery training for?

Your dream, your goal. If a person wants to learn how to shoot because it sparks a fire in them, or someone wants to hunt, I can help them sharpen up their form so they become a better shooter. If someone comes to my class and wants to compete, we absolutely can create a goal and a plan and a training system to get to whatever level they want to compete at. I also teach team-building.

If you are stressed out, part of coming to class is doing stretches, getting a chance to stop thinking about everything else and be completely focused in the moment.

Have you ever split an arrow with another arrow, Robin Hood-style? Can you teach us how?

I think I’ve done it a way most people haven’t done. I was shooting at a target with some arrows already in it, and it tipped forward as I released another shot. I wound up shooting one arrow into another and breaking one of them in half. When things like that happen, you have to imagine they happen for a reason.

You trained at the Olympic Training Center. How intense was that?

I went to the Olympic Training Center three times; twice for coaching certificates. It was extremely intense. We started at 8 a.m. California time, and I was still stuck on Eastern Standard Time, and we’d go until dinner at 5 p.m. and then have a class at 6 and finish at 7. And then the students would go and practice their form. You’d go to bed at 9 or 10 and start at 8 a.m. again the next morning.

How expensive is it to get started in archery?

We provide all the equipment during lessons. Come to class and see if you enjoy it. (Morris also sells equipment and can help newcomers select the proper size and weight equipment.)

What is the longest distance at which you can hit a bullseye with an arrow?

Let me tell you my goal: my goal is to be able to hit a bullseye at the length of a football field three times consecutively, and then another three. Why stop there?

Who would win in a “Hunger Games”-style battle, you or Katniss Everdeen?

There is actually a portion of the movie that I disagree with, because I believe that as a society we should be going to the aid of those who get hurt and also we should be protecting our youth.

The positive thing that I see in the movie is that Katniss, who is the main character, has strong inner strength at her age. She takes up the responsibility of making sure her family has food. She helps others in need of help. She has courage, determination and leadership despite all the odds against her.

There is a lot more to shooting a bow then just pulling a string back; there is the person, and the person is what counts. Through the act of learning how to shoot, the student becomes stronger and gains confidence and they can develop the characteristics of a hero. I believe that it’s those characteristics of a hero that the teenagers of today would like the world to see them as having.

There are a lot of young ladies in my classes that look up to Katniss, for her courage, perseverance and leadership, that as a woman you can have all of that.

 

 

Having fun in the sun, shooting arrows into the air.

She has a nice bow, but because of the arrows we were using I offered a basic school bow.  This is a fun little video that I created for you.  Please enjoy and I appreciate you.

 

mag in Bow on April 19th 2015

Solution to issues archers may be facing, with guest, Coach Ruth Rowe

I had the wonderful opportunity to have a discussion with my good friend Ruth Rowe and retired Olympian, about a few issues archers may be facing.
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The picture was taken in 2011 at the Olympic Training Center when I participated in my first Junior Dream Team coach observer program.  I’m standing between these 2 amazing women, from left to right, Ruth Rowe, me and Diane Watson.
A little info about Coach Ruth Rowe 
Ruth Rowe, the owner of the Quintessential Corporation  and The Archery program in VA, is an Olympian and life-long archer.  A level 4 Coach in USA Archery,  she is working to complete her Level 5 Coach certification. Multi national Champion throughout her career. National and International record-holder and retired from  competing in 2003.  Additionally, she has been teaching and coaching for more than 10 years,  Ruth Rowe is National Team Coach of the Virgin Islands where she is establishing and implementing a complete archery development program there. She is author of several archery books.
 
Below is the solutions that Ruth Rowe has for 8 archery issues that you, or a friend might be having.
1) My form feels like it is the same every time I shoot and the arrows go to a different place than it should.
Solution: Mostly this is just a matter of trying to become more consistent, feeling what the body is doing, and trying to make it feel the same each time.  As archers progress, they become more and more aware of the subtullties of the shot. It takes a lot more awareness of what the body is doing than what most archers think.
2)  I’m not hitting the gold and getting frustrated.
 Solution: First, expecting to hit the gold (every time) is a very high expectation for most archers. Even top archers have reds and occasionally blues. Try to keep the thought on the process of shooting the arrow, not the result. If you are focused on the outcome, then you are not learning what the correct process — in detail — needs to be to have a good shot. Focus on the process of doing the shot, not the outcome. Outcome gets you nothing, instead, learn what you need to do.
3) things rattling on the bow like a screw loose o the sight or the stabilizer.
Solution: The bow probably needs tuning, particularly tiller., then make sure you are doing a smooth shot.
4) I’m doing everything right and you the coach is wrong, my old coach said this is the way it should be done.
Solution: Two things here.
1) If you believe what your former coach wants you to do is correct, then why are you here?
2) If you want to improve, changes are necessary.  Otherwise, it’s the ‘true insanity’ situation: doing the same thing and expecting a different result.
5) My shooting is not consistent, it is very good and then very bad and then very good and then very bad. 
Solution: Again, learn the shot process. Write down what you think about as you are doing the shot. Go over them with your coach and make sure all the pieces are there. Then focus completely on what you are doing every time you nock an arrow. Consistent shooting technique comes from consistent awareness of what you are doing as you are doing it.
6)  As I’m trying to aim the sight pin is moving all over the place.
Solution: Make sure the bow shoulder is set down in the shoulder socket. That is where stability with the bow arm/hand (and therefore bow/sight) starts. After that, work to get the shoulders aligned with the bow arm, keeping the bow shoulder down. Having the bow shoulder set down is (initially) more important than perfect alignment.
7)  I keep hitting my arm, and it hurts.
Solution:  First set the bow shoulder down. If it is up, it is also a little forward, making you more prone to hitting. Then learn to rotate the elbow joint so that if you  bend the bow arm (without bow) your lower arm moves parallel to the floor, not upward. You may have to practice by putting your bow arm at shoulder height on a wall, then leaning against it with your body weight, and then trying to rotate just the joint, leaving the bow should and bow hand set throughout.
With the elbow turned down, your draw length is just a little longer, which makes your body want to stay there. Part of it ls learning how, part of it is using new muscles. Some strength in the arm muscles used to keep the joint vertical may have to be developed  Also, if you are substantially over-bowed, your arm may pop out on the shot, putting it in line with the bow string.
8) I keep moving my sight so that I can hit the yellow but my groups keep staying in the same place.  Very frustrating.
Solution: Then the sight is not the issue; it’s something in what you are doing to make the arrows go off-center. Exactly what it is depends on where the arrows are hitting. For example, if they are low and you cannot bring them up with sight correction, then make sure your bow arm stays up until the arrow is in the target. You may be dropping your arm before the arrow is off the string, and no amount of sight correction will bring them to center.  Again, learn your shot sequence, and make sure you are doing it completely on every shot!

 

Our Guest’s Links

Visit Ruth Rowe online  http://www.thearcheryprogram.net/head_coach.htm  http://www.quintessentialarchery.com/

Thank you Ruth, it was great talking to you and hearing about your thoughts on archery, I appreciate you.

Lucy Morris

Being in the moment

Since I started teaching archery, I have found myself becoming very impressed with kids, I find that kids are not all about running in circles and doing their own thing.   They trust me to stand next to them and guide them through the process of shooting an arrow for the first time, even though they are scared.  They are very much in the moment listening to my every word, and you should see the smile that radiates form them, once the arrow hits the target. How many times have you talked with someone and they are 100% paying attention to you?  It’s a gift when someone does that.

I do find that kids tend to have a hard time with focus during the spring time, and when they have been in school all day and then they have a sugary snack.  Please don’t give them sugar before archery lol. Consider a healthier snack that they like.  Most parents are very good with this, thank you.  Some of the after school programs, but not all of them,  may not have the funding to have the healthiest food,  and sometimes my young archery clients come directly from the after school program.

I work with adults as well and I stand next to you and guide you through your first shot.  What I see in you, is you have forgotten about the stress of the day, as you focus and listen and pull the string back and let go with excitement as the arrow hits the target.  For a moment their, you are 100% paying attention, focused and feeling good.

As you progress through the classes you mention that you find shooting to be relaxing most of the time.  And some of you have told me that it refreshes you for several days.  But the gift that you offer me is this complete focus as I guide you through the process of getting ready to shoot and then letting go.  For a moment time has stopped, and we are both completely focused and in the moment.

 

The Bow and I are one.

Coaching class at MIT

A couple of weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to teach another coaching class for a small group of professors at MIT.  They were an absolute pleasure to work with :).

MIT coaching clinic March 31st 2015

Coach Lucy’s Archery tip on what poundage bow you should get.

It’s spring and all you can think about is being outside.  And some of you are picking up a bow for the first time, or the first time in a long long time and you want to know how heavy a bow to start out with.  I have an answer in the above video that I made for you.  And just remember you want to be properly fitted for a bow.

The Journey to Save your DRAGON.. It starts with a snow storm lol

My archery intern has his own way of teaching you about your quest, called ” Save The Dragon” which is actually an aiming game that can be played as teams, or folks can play individually.   And by the way… adults love playing this game,  it so much fun watching gown ups have a good time on their quest :).