Last year the rules for the three stick classes(Trad, LB & RU) were changed because of the IBO's involvement in the 3DI. It was the opinion of a few that the lack of success for the 3DI team was due to the fact our recurve and longbow shooters needed to shoot longer distance and string walk/face walk. So the rules were changed in all three classes. LB and Trad just saw the increase from 25 yards to 30. While the RU saw the increase in yardage plus the addition of string walking and face walking.As a participant the last two years in RU I am concerned. First, rules were changed that did not help the classes and then a team was not sent to the 3DI tournament. Second, my biggest concern, the classes were all down in participation in 2007. Every shoot last year(National Triple Crown) participation was down with the exception of Trad at Erie. Total participationwas down 34%(32 shooters in 06/21 in 07) in LB, 31%(45 shooters in 06/31 in 07) in RU, and 11%(56 in 06,50 in07) in Trad.Which made an overall decrease of 24% in all classes.

I see this year that the IBO has returned LB to 25 yards. What are you going to do for RU & Trad? As for myself I don't have a problem with the 30 yards or the string and face walking. However, string and face walkingare only legal in the IBO no one else allows it. So my biggest question is.....Since 3DI which ultimately only effects 4 stick shooters(those that make the team) wasn't a reality in 2007 and may not be again in 2009, why don't we go back to the rules we had previously?