Moving from instinctive to split vision......

[Flying Dutchman]

I've been traditional shooting for two years now. After having trained a LOT, I am on an new level now. I shoot with a modern R/D longbow and shoot purely instinctive, two fingers under.

Today, at training, I became awere of something new in my aiming method. I am not sure how long I am doing this, but I mentioned it today. I thought I focussed on the target only. But today I found out, that, when aiming and certainly at the longer distances (say 30 yards and more) I use my arrowpoint as an aimingdevice. It is not clearly in sight, my focus is on the target, but I see my arrow blurred. When my arrow points at the target, it is "dead on" and I hardly can miss.
Strange that I noticed it today. It is like "the unconscious" suddenly became "conscious" and I don't know what triggered it. I never was aware of my arrow before.

Curious as I was, I "made this new method more conscious" and with great results! I was shooting and hitting like never before on 40 yards!
Strangely enough, it doesn't work for shorter distances, lets say 30 yards or less. Then I can't get the right split-vision picture and focus on the target only.

I was curious if this a normal development after shooting for a while? I am also curious if split-vison and instinctive shooting can be used through each other, though I understand they are very closely related.

[McDave]

Your description is a lot like I shoot.  I use split vision at longer distances, and instinctive at shorter distances.  Split vision doesn't work well for me at shorter distances because the point of the arrow is too far below the target to be of much use in aiming.  I think my split vision is closer to instinctive shooting than it is to gap shooting, since I don't place the arrow point on a particular spot based on how far away I think the target is; I just shoot when the relationship of the arrow point and the target seems "right" to me.

One thing to be aware of now that you are noticing the arrow point is to always keep your focus on the target.  Sometime you may inadvertently shift your focus to the arrow point, and if you do, you will miss, and it will surprise you because everything about the shot seemed right to you.  If that happens, shoot another arrow and consciously maintain your focus on the target and you'll probably hit it.

Howard Hill was a great proponent of split vision, and that combined with endless hours of practice enabled him to make some unbelievably long shots.

[moebow]

yes it's normal.  As you get more proficient, you start to notice more about what's going on.  At lower yardage, you must know what your "gap" is in order to place the arrow point at the right gap in your peripheral vision -- with practice it will become automatic.  The gap will be at it's largest at 20-30 yards and be less at closer and longer distances.  You have two point on distances.  The close one is at zero yards.  The distant one has to be determined by shooting it.  At all distances in between your point on distances your split vision gap will be below the target with the largest gap at mid range.  It's different for each archer and really has more to do with the distance from your eye to the arrow at full draw than bow weight or arrow weight.  It's a discovery process. And yes many shooters use a combination depending on the situation. Have Fun!

[Flying Dutchman]

Well thank you David. I keep my focus on the target. Just for a very short moment, I focus on the arrow point to get the right trajectory. I certainly don't gap.
Nice to hear that HH used the same technique...

[Flying Dutchman]

Thanks to you to Arne!

[Northwest_Bowhunter]

Exactly what Moebow said, pretty soon it starts to feel instinctive to use your split vision.

[Mike Vines]

I know my arrow is there, but it is to blurred for me to make out where it is.  I just focus on the spot I have picked out, and somehow they connect.

[Flying Dutchman]

Thanks guys, for all the kind answers!