by Paul Davison NFAA Historian
Way Back When Question:
by Terry Wunderle
Who Makes the N FA A R u l e s ?
nswer: You do—if you’re an NFAA member,
NFAA reorganization, was the “weighted” vote. Just
and if you vote in the election of your State
as in the U.S. House of Representatives, each NFAA
Association’s NFAA Director.
State Association may have more than one “vote”
T h e NFAA is one of the few shooting sports
on proposed changes to the NFAA Constitution and
organizations where the grassroots members have
By-Laws. Your State Director is entitled to one vote
complete authority to select the people who run the
for every 500 (or fraction thereof) NFAA members
organization and who make the rules. It’s about as
in your state, up to a maximum of five votes. Since
democratic as an organization can get. In 1966, soon
a rule-change requires a two-thirds majority of the
after the NFAA became represented in all fifty states,
weighted vote for passage, it’s reasonable to say that
the NFAA Constitution was completely rewritten to
any rule passed at the NFAA annual Board of Directors
be very explicit about “who does what.” Specifically,
meeting, is OK with more than two-thirds of the entire
under State Director “Duties,” the first one listed is,
NFAA membership.
“Consider and vote upon all proposed changes to the
State NFAA Director votes the way you want him/her
NFAA Constitution and By-laws, rules and regulations.”
to vote. The NFAA Constitution has provisions for the
Likewise, under State Director “Election,” it states,
Director “to do the right thing,” but, admittedly, a few
“The election of a Board of Director member of a state
Directors don’t follow the protocol established 43 years
association shall be conducted by the State Association in
ago.
Again, this assumes that your
accordance with the provisions of its constitution.” The
First, all proposed rule changes (“agenda items”
exact wording of these two provisions has changed a
or “amendments”) must be submitted to NFAA
bit over the past 43 years, but the meaning remains
Headquarters by September 30th . . . a full four months
the same: Your State Director is obliged to represent
before the annual meeting in February. Then, ninety
the majority of your state’s NFAA electorate. If not,
days prior to the meeting, the Executive Secretary mails
then it’s your obligation to choose a more responsive
the agenda items to the State Directors so that they can
Director at the next election.
review all proposed rule changes with their respective
Another change enacted as a result of the 1966
continued on pg. 61
For more NFAA history, visit www.fieldarchery.com and click on NFAA History, or visit the historian’s website at www.stringwalker.net 40 ARCHERY MAGAZINE
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April / May 2009
Quit Aiming!
ONCE AT AN NFAA INDOOR NATIONALS, one of my students had been battling it out for first place. The score was tied with only fifteen arrows remaining. Noticing that his rhythm was slowing down, I called him over and instructed, “Quit aiming and shoot form!” He knew exactly what I meant, as he proceeded to capture the title. When a competition heats up and the scores are close, archers tend to place more pressure on themselves, often trying to be too precise with the shot placement. By doing this, they add several seconds to their normal shooting rhythm and cause a breakdown in their form. Usually, the added time results in a weaker follow-through with the bow arm producing a low or low-right shot. When over-aiming happens, the bow arm loses forward pressure and more sight movement occurs. A weak shot is likely to follow. Many archers and some coaches put far too much emphasis on the aiming process. Put the pin on the target; then let it float and shoot a good, strong shot. Aiming is over-rated. If the pin is floating on the desired impact point, a strong shot with your normal form will hit the mark. The problem of over-aiming starts when ones
ABOVE:
Focusing on form and not aiming has helped Don Baxter set six US records.
continued on pg. 63 ARCHERY MAGAZINE
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April / May 2009 41