This section has been added especially, as an additional benefit for the readers of Total Archery.

We have tried to explain each subject in the book as thoroughly as possible, however, there are always some areas which may raise further questions in the mind of the reader which would benefit by further elaboration.

Please email us any questions you may have, including page reference, if applicable. We would appreciate it if you could include your full name and country of origin. Only your initials and country of origin will be displayed with your question; pseudonyms will not be accepted. Be assured that your details will be treated as confidential and will not be disclosed to other parties.

Question 26	October 25, 2006	D.G.
I've been trying to find out if, when aiming, you should focus on the target and blur the sight or vise-versa. Is there a best way or is it personal preference? Thank you
Below is a short extract from Total Archery page 79, which should be self explanatory. Principle of Eye Control Once more, let us look at the way some other sports do it. Looking at baseball, the hitter will not just try to look at the ball, but will also try to focus on the stitching of the ball. They want to see the ball very clearly, which can be further enhanced by going to a narrow external focus, which will allow a better look at the ball. Similarly with a tennis player, when he hits the ball he doesn’t look where he wants to hit it, but he focuses totally on the ball to ensure proper timing and impact and will not take his eyes off the ball. The same goes for a golfer hitting the ball. The golfer has made up his mind where he wants to hit it too and the distance required and then focuses totally on the ball itself, right throughout the follow through. If the eyes are taken off the ball too early, to see where the ball is going, most likely a miss- hit will occur. Equally in archery, the final focus has to be the target; not the sight pin and not the arrow. The eyes have to stay focused on the target till the arrow hits. Many archers try to watch the arrow and that is why they lose control and also the reason why lots of people have trouble aiming off. Keeping the eyes focused on the target till the arrow hits, we call “Eye Follow Through”.

Question 25	October 17, 2006	D.L. - South Africa
Many thanks for the wonderful website and book! My question regards the set-up. Should an archer turn shoulders into line before or after raising the bow. My current procedure is as follows. I raise the bow, turn the bow shoulder into line at the same time pulling the draw scapula down into the set-up position. Then I start the draw. I have tried to turn into line before raising the bow and have found that the set-up position does not feel consistent. Thank you
You should have the shoulders in-line as much as possible at the hooking and gripping stage, without trying to force them into line. As a matter of fact with the bow in the hooking and gripping position it would be near impossible to align both shoulders with the target without drawing the bow. Then, when raising the bow the rear shoulder is set back aligning both shoulders with the target. Please study the description and photos on the website carefully. Also study the Shot Sequence photos closely.

Question 24	September 1, 2006	J. - USA
Dear KSL, I agree with everything you have said in your reply, however is it true that training in Korea is different to anywhere else in the world? If a young person were on a training program in Korea at what ages and poundage would they be expected to cope with, also would the training program support these demands. Thank you.
In Korea they start in about Year 4 (9-10 years old) and practice with a rubber band for about 3 months to develop proper form, before even drawing a real bow. From Year 4 – 6 (9-12 year olds) maximum distances shot 20 -30M. Most can score perfect scores at 20M and 350 at 30M on an 80cm face. Bow weight varies, but about in the order of 25-35lbs. From Year 7 – 12 (13-15 year olds) max distances shot 30-50M and score 350 on a small face at both distances. Again bow weights vary, but are in the order of about 30 -45lbs, depending on individuals. Year 10 – (15-16 year old) full FITA distances They won’t be shooting maximum bow weights yet, as they are still continuing to develop.

Question 23	August 24, 2006	E.H. - The Netherlands
Since 2 weeks I am studying your wonderful and convincing view/book on archery. As I am a common-style archer the question arises of how to change to the KSL-style shooting technique. As in our club there are no coaches that studied your approach and still teach the common-style approach Ii find it difficult to get myself started in changing my style to the KSL-style. Is there a way to start changing my style in a gradual manner or would it be preferred to start all over again? Kind regards.
We have translated the KSL Shot Cycle in your native language, Dutch, so all coaches, irrespective if they speak English or not should be able to understand what I’m teaching. As a start I would suggest you read the Coaching Newsletter on the website, which basically lists most common errors in form for the majority of archers in the world. Also try to study and implement the diagrammatic KSL Shot Cycle Technique. You can start by trying to implement one step at a time. Obviously every step is important, but 'set-up' and 'holding' are very critical components in the shot and most archers have problems implementing these. As I said before try to implement and focus on one step at a time and of course best would be to work with a coach or another archer who understands or who wants to understand and learn/teach the KSL method.

Question 22	August 13, 2006	A.M. - England
Dear Coach Lee, I have a 12 year old daughter (of a good athletic build for her age) who represents her county on a regular basis shooting the recurve bow. As she is now starting to move up to the next level of her archery. For example, better quality limbs and arrows and increased coaching without making her become bored and turning her away from the sport. I was wondering how you approach the subject of improving the strength and endurance of a young archer without building increased visible muscle mass that would not be acceptable to see on a young archer or child. Are the techniques employed in the book suitable for juniors? I would say not. Any improvement would I believe allow for a more constant and consistent draw and her 'anchor' to be maintained. Her coach has noticed that the draw may not be being carried out correctly at the moment, i.e. too much weight on her top finger and not spreading the load to the index and lower fingers. I believe we can iron this out from sections of your book and the photographs that go with it. We also have the problem that she does not really like to eat or drink in the mornings. Which is awkward when it comes to an early start for a competition. Although she will readily drink 'Lucozade' type products and cereal bars. Could hydration in the morning be a substitute for solid food until she or other archers are ready to eat properly? For her it is probably nerves which is something we will have to overcome by mental training before she can reach her true potential. If you are able to give me any advice for my daughter which I may also pass on to other club members both junior and senior I would be most grateful. Are you doing any seminars or coaching sessions in the UK that we or other club members could attend as it would be most beneficial? Many thanks for your time.
I think there are three questions here : Strength & Conditioning techniques in the book; are they suitable for Juniors? Answer: At 12 years old she is in at a very developing stage, both physically and mentally. Physically he bones are still growing and excessive forces on her growth plates must be avoided. I would suggest that you consult a qualified Sports Physiotherapist and explain the physical action required for archery and the physical weight and draw weight of the equipment and the draw weight changes that will be required down the track. They should then be able to provide you with SAFE archery specific strengthening exercises for your daughter. Could hydration be a substitute for solid food until she is ready to eat properly? Answer: Would you put petrol in your tank before you go on a trip or put it in when you feel like it? Again she is at a very developing stage and I would suggest to obtain professional advice from a Sports Dietician. Explain the situation and take it from there. Are you doing any seminars in the UK? Answer: No seminars have been planned for the UK at this stage. General comment: Please make sure that it is your daughter who is the one who really wants to do archery and at the level you are talking about.