Off the Arrow Shelf

Just a quick podcast reminding people not to give up on those New Year resolutions if you have made any. Even if your motivation has lapsed you can get back up and restart. If you have any questions or queries, you can drop me an email on ⁠offthearrowshelf@yahoo.co.uk ⁠or via the website ⁠offthearrowshelf.com⁠ If you have any questions or queries you can drop me an email on  ⁠offthearrowshelf@yaho...

This is the second part of the shoot report for the NFAS Indoor archery championships. You can check out episode 109 for a breakdown of the event. I am going to focus on how I felt, the anxiety that manifested and how I tried to cope with this over the weekend. I’ve mentioned before how incredibly grateful I am to the archers who were there and especially those who provided my young son with suppo...

This is the first shoot report of 2025 and it is for the first ever NFAS Indoor archery championships. Yes, you read that correctly NFAS goes indoors, with a 2 day competition. In this episode I cover the 2 days of shooting 3D and paper faces, telling you how it went, targets shot, and lots more/ Offering my thoughts on the good bit and where it could be improved for next time. If there is a next...

I've put together this micro episode from a few clips I shared on YouTube and Instagram in an effort to show everyone how easy it is to make mistakes when your heads not in the game and you are trying to do some work on form and shooting down on the archery range. It's very easy to make mistakes or forget things especially if you have other things on your mind. Just remember not to beat yo...

In this episode, I'm going to do my best to explain some of the differences you can encounter with wooden arrow points or piles.  I'm going to give you some views on materials used and the merits and flaws I've encountered with some of the different shapes, I go over the difference between tapered or parallel fit, glue used and giving my own preferences. The video has been inspired by another YouT...

In this episode, I'm going to do my best to explain the concept of gap shooting in archery. First and foremost, I would like to say a huge thanks to the members of The Push Archers Listeners' Facebook group. Their help with researching and support for this video has made it possible. So a really big and heartfelt thanks. Gap shooting is something I personally struggle with to accomplish. I'm purel...

In this episode I recount how the start of December has floored my completely due to ill health and resulting in a trip to Accident and Emergency. With my heartfelt thanks to all you looked after me. Thank you Also, a shout out to Rich at Archery Geek Outdoors, for a speedy recovery and if you get chance have a listen to episode 67 with guest Maddie Hammond. https://open.spotify.com/episode/7bcoiw...

I recorded this episode shortly after the National Field Archery Society annual general meeting, but due to my own and families ill health I’ve not had chance to finish editing and writing this blurb until now. Sorry as this is a little late in reaching you. When I’m feeling up to it, I’ll give you a breakdown on what’s been going on here as its been a rough couple of weeks, but for now lets focus...

A few months back I organised a very simple poll on a Facebook group in an attempt to gather some facts and opinions from archers on what they felt slowed a shoot down. My thanks to all those who took the time to vote and provide feedback on what proved to be a complex issue In this episode I review the results from that poll an offer some thoughts on what can be done to answer or sort those issue...

As the title says in this episode I offer some thoughts on the proposals that have been published in the November / December copy of the NFAS magazine prior to being discussed at the upcoming AGM. There are quite a few proposals this year, with modification to shooting classes, proposals on use of binoculars and even suggested new rounds. I encourage all nfas members to read them. If you have any...

As the title says there has been quite a lot of things going on over the past couple of weeks, some positive and others less positive. The important thing is everyone is okay. Thanks for all the feedback I’ve received from the last podcasts and based on this I’m going to dive into some coaching tips and advice. This time focusing on your shot sequence and why it’s a good idea to work out what you...

I’ve come to the decision to restart the podcast series. I have been very humbled by the support that has been offered to me online, face to face or via phone calls. Thank you all. I’ve also had some very positive feedback on the impact my material has had on individuals. I’ve also realised I enjoy trying to help people and stopping recording and writing has a huge negative impact on how I feel. M...

I’ve reached 100 episodes and in this one I look back at the work going on for the Briar Rose Annual shoot on 30th of June details can be found on the clubs website. I also try to thank the numerous guest and supporters of the podcast over the years. Thank you all. On a sadder note though I question whether I should continue writing or recording. I hope you enjoy it and let me know your thoughts a...

This episode is another shoot report, this time for the National Field Archery Society 3D championships, held over the last May bank holiday. This was a 2 day competition, shooting different courses each day, comprising of 36 3D targets. The full results and selection of photographs are on the NFAS website https://nfas.net/ and I have uploaded a compilation video on my YouTube channel. If you are...

This episode is another shoot report thus time it's for Duvelle Bowman, for  NFAS competition which they hosted a couple of weeks ago. Overall it was a really good day, with some fantastic weather and good company. The course was 40 targets and all but 2 were 3Ds. With some very cleverly set shots which I go into in the episode I’m going to try to record a YouTube video for this podcast too as...

This episode is a shoot report for Long Eaton Field Archers NFAS competition which they hosted last week. Overall it was a good day, with some fantastic weather and good company. The course was 36 targets and all 3Ds, with some very cleverly set shots. I’m going to record a YouTube video for this podcast too using some of the photos I took. If you are interested in seeing the full results from the...

In this episode I am trying something a little different and recording it as a video. Don’t worry I’m behind the camera. I’m talking about the different finger tabs and shooting gloves you can come across in traditional archery. I’ve had a couple of questions recently about the differences between tabs and gloves when running some coaching sessions so thought this would be a good way of showing th...

In this mini episode, I highlight that it's ok to fail and the importance of giving yourself time to learn. I also explain why I've been quiet recently.

Over Easter I was in Wales staying with my family and I managed to record this episode whilst sat outside in the garden, trying out the new Lavaller microphones I mentioned on Instagram a few days ago. Let me know what you think of the sound quality as I’ve been quite impressed. I do wonder off topic a bit and talk about the wildlife that’s surrounding me. Sorry it’s taken so long to be posted but...

I managed to record this episode on holiday in Wales as I wanted to touch on a recent coaching experience and how I was helping a couple of archers out. I explain how the archers triangle can be used to explain and identify issues archers can face with their shooting in order for them to then move forward and develop. Apologies the sound quality isn’t as good as normal, I think this I due being aw...

I managed to record this episode will struggling with a case of the flu so apologies if this episode is full of my sniffs . In it I cover quite a few topics from experimenting with the clubs chronograph to measure bow speeds, while trying out a few different options for club member on crossbow. I also mention the Archery Geek outdoors recent podcast concerning the Governments call for evidence on...

Following the positive feedback received form the last episode, in this episode doing another shoot report podcast, this time for the Black Arrow Field Archery Club open NFAS competition. In the past I’ve written up a review of the shoots I attend but I’m recording this one so please let me know what you think, do you prefer a podcast or like reading the shoot reports. I mention the 40 target 3d c...

In this episode I do something a little different and record a shoot report podcast. Normally I write up a review of shoot I attend but I’m recording this shoot report as a podcast. Let me know what you think, do you prefer a podcast or like reading the shoot reports. I discuss how the course layers coped with a small wood and keeping the shots fresh on a twice round 18 course. I also discuss thei...

In this episode I ask you to consider using your vote, by going over briefly the proposals in the National Field Archery society round of voting. For those that don’t know each year members of the society can put forward rule amendments for the larger membership to vote on. This year there are several such proposals and I try to summaries some of these and offer some thoughts and my views on them....

In this episode I offer some thoughts on the mental side of archery and how some of us, myself included have a tendency to focus or remember the negative shots or mistakes rather than focussing on the positive. So exploring the mental side of the archer triangle and offering a possible technique.   I’m also offering my thoughts on the new NFAS signoff process for new archers. I hope you enjoy it a...